The Odyssey by Homer (Books 1-24)

Describe Odysseus's situation when the odyssey begins

Odysseus has lost his men because they ate the cattle of Helios, He is being kept prisoner by Calypso a sea nymph who wants him to forget ithaca and become her husband, all the gods feel sorry for him except poseidon

At the meeting of the gods at Olympus which god/goddess appeals on behalf Odysseus? What is the reason for Poseidon's grudge against Odysseus?

Athena appeals upon his behalf, Poseidon's grudge is because Odysseus blinded his son the cyclops Polyphemus

Hospitality or Xenia was deeply important to the ancient Greeks describe the hospitality shown to Athena during her visit disguised as mentor

Mentor is led inside and provided with food and drink before discussing business Telemachus makes him comfortable with a rug and armchair and has his hands washed

What encouraging news does Athena give Telemachus?

She tells him that Odysseus is alive being held prisoner on an island and will find a way home

Describe the suitors who are they? why are the suitors there? How would you characterize their behavior?

The suitors are lords from nearby lands who want to marry Odysseus's wife Penelope they are staying in his home and feasting upon his food they are disrespectful and rude to Telemachus and his household

Summarize the advice Athena gives Telemachus

Athena advises him to instruct the intruders to go home if Penelope wishes to remarry she should go to her father and have him arrange the marriage Telemachus is to sail to pylos and speak to Nestor and then to Sparta to speak with menelaus about his fathers whereabouts if he finds his father is dead he should come home for a funeral support his mother In remarrying and kill the suitors

describe Athena's departure and it's impact on Telemachus

She flies up through the roof like a bird it inspires confidence in Telemachus because he believes her to be a god

Explain Penelope's visit why is she upset and why does she leave

Penelope is upset because the storytelling is of the Trojan war and it makes her sad she leaves because Telemachus tells her to leave

What does Telemachus tell the suitors in his speech?

He tells them to eat and drink in peace tonight for tomorrow he will ask them all to leave, if they continue to stay he will appeal to Zeus for vengeance against them

Aigyptios inquires about the reason for the council summarize the response Telemachus provides

He explains that his home is overrun with suitors who refuse to give a proper proposal to penelopes father and he lacks the skills to fight them some of the suitors are sons of the men at the council and he asks them to call their sons home and leave him in peace

What trick does Antinoos reveal that Penelope has been using to ensure that she will not need to choose a new husband

She is weaving a great burial shroud for laertes and she has assured the suitors that she will choose a husband when it is finished during the day she works on it but at night she unravels her

Describe the omen that Zeus send to Ithaca? How does Halitherses interpret it

Two eagles soar from a mountain peak when they reach the meeting they tear at each other's necks and cheeks and then dart away to the East Halitherses says it mean Odysseus will return home with death and destruction for the suitors

After Telemachus's plea what do the suitors plan to do?

The suitors Intend to stay in Ithaca at Odysseus's home eating his food until Penelope chooses a husband

How does Telemachus gather his ship and crew for the journey to Pylos? Who helps him?

Athena tells Telemachus to prepare to set sail while she gathers the ship and crew Athena disguises herself as Telemachus and goes to town where she tells Telemachus's story and finds a ship and crew of fine men

Summarize the account Nestor gives of the aftermath of the Trojan War

After the war there is disagreement about when to return home Agamemnon wants to stay on shore and make sacrifices while menelaus wants to leave some leave including Nestor and Odysseus while others stay After journeying for some time Odysseus changes his mind and decides to turn back to side with Agamemnon Nestor continues and has a speedy trip home

Describe what happens between Agamemnon Aigisthos and Orestes after the return home from Troy?

While Agamemnon is in Troy Aigisthos seduces his wife Clytemnestra Upon his return Agamemnon is murdered by Aigisthos His son Orestes avenges his death and kills Aigisthos

What advice does Nestor offer Telemachus

Nestor warns Telemachus not to leave the suitors alone for too long he tells Telemachus to sail for Lacedaemon to talk to Menelaus

How does Athena reveal herself to Nestor and all those present? What effect does it have on Nestor?

Athena turns into a sea-osprey and flies away. Nestor declares that Telemachus will find success since he has the favor of the same god who favors his father He then pours out elaborate sacrifices to the gods

How are Telemachus and Nestorides received in Lacedaemon and why are they received in this manner?

They are welcomed given food and invited to join the feast Menelaus commands that the strangers are welcomed because in his travels he was a stranger looking for accommodation many times

For which man does menelaus mourn the most and why does he mourn?

He mourns for Odysseus because he misses him and his hard work he is disturbed that nobody knows where Odysseus is or what has become of him

Who first recognizes Telemachus and how is he recognized?

Helen enters the room and recognizes she says he looks exactly like Odysseus and the others agree

Summarize the story told by Helen and Menelaus about Odysseus in Troy

While Helen was in Troy Odysseus enters the city disguised as a beggar she swears not to give away his identity He kills many Trojans and brings away many secrets when the Warriors are hiding in the Trojan horse Helen comes and mimicks their wives' voices but Odysseus won't let them answer

Menelaus tells the story of his journey home what does the old man of the sea instruct him to do when he is stuck on his island

Menelaus must travel back to Egypt to the river Aigyptos and perform a sacrifice to the gods before he will have a speedy journey home

How does king Agamemnon die

Agamemnon is tricked by the Traitor Aigisthos who welcomes him home gives him a feast and kills him and his men

Describe the state of Odysseus as told by the Old Man of the Sea

Odysseus is on Calypso's island held captive without men or ships to take him home

Why does Antinoos call for a fast ship and twenty men

He learns of Telemachus's journey to Pylos he plans to wait for him off the shores of Ithaca in a rocket islet and attack his ship on its way home

After learning of the deadly plan what hope does Penelope receive

Athena appears to her in disguise and let's her know that Athena will protect Telemachus

Describe how Odysseus is led to the mansion of King Alcinoos

Athena meets him disguised as a young girl and leads him to the mansion obscuring him in a thick mist

Explain the relationship between Poseidon, Alcinoos, and Arete

Poseidon's son Nausithoos, is father to Alcinoos and grandfather to Arete Arete is the niece and wife of Alcinoos

What is Alcinoos's response to Odysseus's request to be sent home?

Alcinoos agrees to escort him home to his native land

How does Odysseus describe Calypso? What does she offer him to stay

Odysseus describes Calypso as a sea witch scheming and terrible who treats him kindly she offers him immortality and eternal youth to stay with her

Why does Arete as Odysseus to expect lain where he got his clothes

Arete recognizes the clothing because she made it for her daughter Nauiscaa

What lie does Odysseus tell Alcinoos and why does he lie

Odysseus tell Alcinoos that it was his idea to come to the mansion alone not Nausicaa's idea Alcinoos is upset that Nausicaa didn't lead him there herself and Odysseus is protecting her to repay her for her kindness

Alcinoos stops the minstrel from telling his story of Troy because

The story makes Odysseus so sad that he cries and hides his face within his robe Alcinoos is sitting next to him and noticed his tears which causes him to stop the story

Odysseus declines to participate in the sports by saying

Odysseus tells the Phaeacians that he just wants to go home and his mind is not in sports

Odysseus is convinced to participate because

Odysseus is insulted by broad sea who says he doesn't look like a sportsman to keep his pride Odysseus agrees to participate

When Odysseus throws the stone in the games

He throws is farther than any of the others and declares to them that he can beat any one of them at any game except the foot race

The gifts Odysseus receives from the Pharacians include

Each of the princes gives him a tunic and a nugget of gold brodsea by way of an apology gives him a fine sword Alcinoos gives him a golden goblet and Arete a mantle and fine tunic

Recount the epic simile describing Odysseus's reaction after Demodocus the minstrel sings of the Trojan war

Odysseus weeps like a woman with her arms around her dying husband as her enemies pry her away into slavery

Before escorting Odysseus home the Phaeacians ask Odysseus to

Tell the tale of his travels and experiences as well as why he cries when he hears of the Trojan war

What befalls Odysseus and his men in ismaros the land of ciconians

They destroy the city and kill the men then they get drunk and some the prisoners escape and gather more ciconians on neighboring islands they attack causing Odysseus to lose six men from each ship

What happens when Odysseus's envoys eats of the lotus flower

They lose all desire for home and only want to stay and eat the lotus flower

How does the text describe Polyphemus how does he treat his guest

Polyphemus is lawless and solitary a wonderful monster and incredibly strong he has no regard for guests he kills them and eats them without a second thought

Why doesn't Odysseus kill Polyphemus as he sleeps

Polyphemus is the only one strong enough to move the rock that blocks the exit to his cave

What names does Odysseus provide Polyphemus and how does this help him escape

Odysseus says his names is nobody this helps him because when Polyphemus calls for help he says nobody is hurting him this causes the cyclopians to leave

At the end of book IX there are three revelations a prophecy, the relationship of Polyphemus and Poseidon and a curse describe each one

Prophecy- Polyphemus received a prophecy that he would lose his sight at hands of Odysseus

Relationship- Polyphemus is the son of Poseidon

Curse- Polyphemus prays to Poseidon that Odysseus will never reach his home but if he does it will be misery in another mans ship having lost his companions and with tribulation at home

Describe the gift Aiolos gives Odysseus and what eventually happens to the gift

Aiolos gives Odysseus an ox skin bag filled with winds to take him home after nine days of smooth sailing his home is in sight and Odysseus falls asleep his men become curious and open the bag releasing the winds a huge gale sends them back to Aiolia

How does Aiolos respond when Odysseus requests help for a second time

He declares that Odysseus's bad fortune means he is an enemy of the gods and sends him away

Describe what happens in the land of Layistrygonians

The Layistrygonians are brutal giants who kill and eat the spokesmen Odysseus sends to greet them they destroy all of Odysseus's ships and men only Odysseus and his crew escape

What happens to Eurylochus and his crew when they encounter Circe? How does Eurylochus escape?

Circe drugs the men making them forget home and gives them the bodies of pigs Eurylochus suspects a trap and does not enter her home he witnesses the events and runs back to warn Odysseus

Who goes to help the men held by Circe? Describe the help he receives along the way

Odysseus sets out to save his men and he is met by Hermès who gives Odysseus a charm from the herb moly to make him impervious to Circe's potions and magic Hermès instructs Odysseus on how to interact with Circe

How long do Odysseus and his men stay with Circe and what do they do during that time

They stay with her for a year eating and drinking merrily Odysseus becomes Circe's lover

Before returning home Circe gives Odysseus and his men a task where are they supposed to go to whom are they supposed to speak and what will they learn

They are sent to hades to speak to Teiresias the blind seer who will give them directions home

What happens to the youngest in the crew, Elpenor?

He is sleeping drunk on the roof when he is called to leave he jumps up and falls off the roof to his death he journeys to hades

Explain the request made by Elpenor in hades

He asks Odysseus to return to circe's island Aeaea and give him a proper burial

What instructions does Teiresias give regarding the sheep of Helios

If they harm the sheep only Odysseus will return home late and miserable in the ship of a stranger and with trouble at home upon returning home late and miserable in the ship of a stranger and with trouble at home upon returning home he is to take an oar and walk until he finds someone who doesn't know the sea at that place he is to sacrifice a ram, a bull, and a boar-pig to Poseidon

What does Odysseus learn from his mother Anticleia

He learns that Penelope is faithfully waiting in sorrow Telemachus is acting as a prince should his father stay in the country living in sorrow and his mother died from sadness from missing Odysseus

Why does Odysseus stop telling his story to the Phaeacians?

Consider both the reasoning provided by Odysseus as well as the narrative function of the interlude Odysseus claims to be tired and says he could describe those he saw in hades but it would take all night as a break in the storytelling flashback it serves to break the story into smaller segments that keep the audience interested and remind them of the flashback being told to the Phaeacians

Summarize the story the warning and the prophecy given to Odysseus by Agamemnon

Agamemnon tells the story of his betrayal and murder by his wife Clytemnestra and Aigisthos He warns Odysseus to never be too kind even to his wife and to always keep something to himself he then tells Odysseus that he will not be killed by Penelope

What does Odysseus day to make Achilles proud

Odysseus recounts the bravery of Achilles son Neoptolemos who fought bravely and without fear through the end of the Trojan war

List the 3 punishments Odysseus witnesses in hades

Tityos- two vultures eternally tear out his liver as punishment for laying violent hands of Leto consort Zeus

Tantalos- thirstily standing in a lake up to his chin with juicy fruits all around he is unable to drink or taste the fruit

Sisyphos- eternally pushes a stone up a hill only to have it roll back down again

Describe Odysseus's farewell to King Alcinoos and Queen Arete what is his tone and what does it demonstrate

Odysseus offers a prayer of safety for his upcoming journey and a blessing on their house his departing words are formal in tone and show he is a guest not a close friend

What angers Poseidon and what action does he take against the Phaeacians

Poseidon is upset that the Phaeacians give safe convoy to Odysseus he turns the returning ship to stone in plain view of land and raises mountains around the city

Where does Odysseus think he is when h me awakes and what causes him to draw this conclusion

Odysseus believes he is in a strange land Athena has covered a mist over the land and it appears unfamiliar to him she wishes to orient him before he approaches his wife and the suitors

How does Athena address Odysseus when she reveals herself and why does she choose these words

Athena compliments his wit with words like "cunning rogue" "master of craft" "everlasting schemer" and "indefatigable fabulist" she is impressed at the tale he weaves to explain his presence in Ithaca and his accumulation of wealth

Describe the first steps in the plan Athena makes for Odysseus to seek revenge upon the suitors

Athena first disguises Odysseus as an old beggar so nobody will recognize him she instructs him to stay with the loyal old swine herd while she goes to Lacedaemon to fetch Telemachus

Why is Odysseus critical of Athena sending Telemachus on a journey to sea and what is her defense

Odysseus is critical because Athena could have answered Telemachus's questions about his whereabouts and a journey at sea is perilous Athena responds that she has kept him safe and sent him that "he might win some credit in the world"

Compare the speech of Odysseus with the speech of the swineherd Eumaeus what do the various patterns of speech show about the two characters

The swineherd uses a rough dialects with shortened words and incorrect grammatical patterns by contrast Odysseus is eloquent in speech this reflective of the different characters' social stations (one a servant one a noble) as well as their different educational levels

Summarize what Odysseus learns from the swineherd about the state of affairs at home

Everyone believes Odysseus is dead the suitors eat the fattest hogs and waste the wine

Why doesn't the swineherd believe Odysseus when he offers news of Odysseus's travels and assurances that Odysseus will return home?

Many people have came to offer false news of Odysseus to Penelope and Telemachus all trying to claim a reward the swineherd claims he won't believe anyone's

Describe how the swineherd honors the custom of Xenia or hospitality

Odysseus arrives disguised as an old traveler in tattered clothes nevertheless eumaeus invites him in feeds him entertains him and offers him a comfortable place to sleep for the night

Why is Odysseus pleased with the swineherd

First Eumaeus demonstrates loyalty to Odysseus second he demonstrates responsibility showing disgust for the wasteful suitors refusing to waste Odysseus's materials Himself

What instructions does Athena give Telemachus

Athena tells Telemachus to leave immediately before his mother chooses a suitor she warns him of the trap laid by the suitors and tells him to sail through the night keeping away from the islands when he returns home he is to see the swineherd first

Why do you think Athena instructs Telemachus to go first to the swineherd

Odysseus is staying with the swineherd and Athena plans to reunite him with Telemachus

Describe the farewell menelaus and Helen bestow upon Telemachus

Menelaus and Helen give valuable gifts to Telemachus provide a feast for him and his men and send them off

What test does Odysseus give the swineherd and what is the result

Disguised as a beggar Odysseus tests the swineherds hospitality by asking for directions to the city and Odysseus's home so he can beg the swineherd shows great hospitality telling Odysseus that he can have whatever he needs and must not go into the city or to Odysseus's home to be destroyed by the suitors

The ancient Greeks held strong beliefs that omens were sent by gods to tell the future describe two omens in chapter 15 who interprets then and the interpretation

First and eagle flies by with a large Goose in its talons Helen interprets it as Odysseus (the eagle) returning home to destroy the suitors who have invaded his home (the goose)

Later a falcon flies through the air tearing a dove with its talons Theoclymenos interprets it and says the falcon is the family of Telemachus showing its dominion or royalty forever

The meeting of Telemachus and the swineherd and the corresponding epic simile show irony because

The swineherd welcomes Telemachus as a father who hasn't seen his son in years and Telemachus calls him "daddy" meanwhile his actual father who he hasn't seen in years is present

For what does Odysseus chide Telemachus

For allowing the suitors to have free reign in his home

Describe how Odysseus reveals himself to his son

Athena transforms Odysseus to a strong young well dressed man Telemachus is so surprised by the transformation he assumes it is a god however Odysseus reveals himself and credits Athena for the transformation both men hug and cry

Summarize the instructions Odysseus gives Telemachus

Telemachus is to return to his home and he must not reveal that he knows Odysseus when he arrives disguised as a beggar he is to hide all the weapons save two sets one for him and one for Odysseus he mustn't reveal Odysseus's identity to anyone

What role does amphinomos play in the plan against Telemachus

He thwarts the plan to murder Telemachus by saying they should first consult the gods

Describe Eurymachus's interaction with Penelope and his salient character

Eurymachus tells Penelope that he would never kill Telemachus and he feigns respect for Odysseus meanwhile he is plotting to kill Telemachus he is deceitful cunning disrespectful