Flashcards for The Odyssey Books 1-2

Every god has taken pity on Odysseus, except for…? (Book 1 invocation and gods' council)

Poseidon. (He's still angry at Odysseus for blinding his son, the Cyclops Polyphemus, and keeps raging against him. Lines ~20-80 in the invocation and Zeus's speech.)

Zeus complains about what tendency of mortals? (During the gods' meeting on Olympus)

Blaming the gods for their own miseries and troubles, even though mortals often cause their problems through their own reckless or foolish actions

Athena says that the gods should do something about Calypso. What does she suggest?

Send Hermes (the messenger god) to Calypso's island (Ogygia) to tell her the gods' decision: she must let Odysseus go home.

What are the swaggering suitors up to when Athena arrives? (In Ithaca at Odysseus's palace)

They're partying and relaxing—playing games like rolling dice, lounging on animal hides, while servants mix wine, clean tables, and carve meat for feasting.

What does Telemachus say to Athena about his father? Does Telemachus believe he is returning?

Telemachus says his father (Odysseus) is gone and probably dead, and now the suitors are ruining his home and pressuring his mom. No, he doesn't believe Odysseus is returning—he's full of grief and thinks it's hopeless. (This shows Telemachus's sadness before Athena inspires him.

What does Athena urge Telemachus to do about the suitors? (From lines 206-end of Book 1 summary)

Give them an ultimatum to leave his house, then sail to Pylos and Sparta to ask about his father's fate. If needed, prepare to fight or kill them—he needs to grow up and act like a man. (She also says Odysseus will return soon.

How does Telemachus react after talking to Athena, and what does he do next? (End of Book 1)

His spirits lift, and he realizes she's a god. He confronts the suitors, warns them he'll call an assembly to kick them out, then goes to bed thinking over her advice. (The suitors are shocked by his boldness

One of the suitors, Antinous, retorts haughtily that the suitors aren’t to blame. Who does he blame instead?

Penelope (Telemachus's mother). (He says she's the one stringing them along and causing the trouble

How was Penelope’s trick with the weaving a trick? What was Penelope’s goal?

She promised to choose a suitor once she finished weaving a funeral shroud for Laertes (Odysseus's dad), but she wove it during the day and secretly unraveled it at night so it never got done. Her goal was to delay marrying any suitor, buying time in hopes Odysseus would return

What does Antinous suggest Telemachus do about his mother?

Send her back to her father's house (Icarius) so he can arrange a new marriage for her. (Antinous says the suitors won't leave until she picks one, but Telemachus refuses.

Just at that exact moment, Zeus sends down an omen. What is the omen?

Two eagles appear from a mountain, fight in the air, and tear at each other's cheeks and necks with their claws before flying off. (It's interpreted as a sign that Odysseus will return and bring death to the suitors.

What will Telemachus do if his father is alive? What will he do if his father is dead?

If alive, he'll endure the suitors' abuse for one more year while waiting for Odysseus to come home. If dead, he'll build a burial mound, hold funeral rites, and let his mother remarry. (This is part of his plan after seeking news.

Who speaks up saying he's angrier at the "good" men of Ithaca than the suitors?

Mentor (an old man, actually Athena in disguise). (He's mad that the regular people haven't stopped the suitors' bad behavior

How does Antinous try to manipulate Telemachus after the assembly? What does Telemachus do?

Antinous approaches privately, pretends to be friendly, offers a ship and crew for the trip, and invites him to party with the suitors. Telemachus rejects him politely but firmly while the other suitors mock him. (Shows Antinous's fake niceness.

How does Book 2 end?

Athena (disguised as Mentor) helps Telemachus get a ship and loyal crew, they load supplies, and set sail secretly at night while the suitors party on. (Telemachus prays for success.