The Odyssey Test

What happens in Book XXI?

• Odysseus returns home with the help of King Alcinous

• Athena warns him that there are over 100 suitors in his palace for Penelope, and disguises him as an old beggar

• As he enters the palace, he sees that the strongest, rudest, and most demanding suitors are Antinous and Eurymachus

• Odysseus reunites with Telemachus, and they plan to avenge their family honor by Odysseus winning back Penelope

• In the meantime, Penelope has given up hope for Odysseus’s return, but still loves him and isn’t over him, and announces that she will hold an archery contest to determine her husband

• the two skills needed to win are one must be able to string the bow, and shoot the arrow through 12 ax blades

• She lets the suitor use the bow that Odysseus left behind

• Odysseus finds two of his old loyal servants, Eumaeus the swineherd and Philoetius the cowherd, and asks them to help him, they are so happy to see him return, and are eager to help

• When the beggar asks to participate in the contest, the suitors are scared he might win, and annoyed that he would participate

• Penelope scolds them for their lack of xenia, tells them to give him a chance

• Odysseus wins, and Zeus sends a thunderbolt down, showing that the gods are on his side

• The suitors make snide remarks, not showing xenia

What happened in Book XXII?

• Odysseus won the competition as a beggar, and killed Antinous

• the suitors are very upset with him, since he “killed the best on Ithaca”

• Little do they know, the old beggar is Odysseus, who is the best man on Ithaca, showing irony

• He reveals himself, and they are all shocked and terrified

• Odysseus tells them he is going to kill them all for stealing his food and supplies, desiring his wife, and using his maids for their pleasures

• Eurymachus tries to save himself and the suitors by bribing Odysseus and blaming everything on Antious

• However, Odysseus will have none of it, and has no mercy when murdering them all with the help of Athena because he seeks a strong thirst for revenge, and that’s just his personality as an epic hero

• Athena helps him by blocking off the arrows with her invisible shield, then makes it visible to let them know that the gods are on his side

What happens in Book XXIII?

• Athena changes Odysseus looks to make him more presentable

• He presents himself to Penelope, but she is distant and aloof

• She explains how she is skeptical of him, tells her maid to move his bed outside of their room

• he asks her how this is possible, how someone was able to move the bed that he built into an olive tree

• this is a secret that only he and her know, she realizes it’s actually him and hugs him, says she’s so sorry

• they are finally at peace and are together again

How does Athena help Odysseus? 

Athena helps Odysseus by:

• using her powers to make him more attractive: taller; larger; clean, defined hair; and more handsome

• She does this so Penelope will be even happier to see him

What is Penelope’s reaction to Odysseus? Why do you think she reacts this way?

• she is skeptical and unwilling to accept that he is who he says he is

• she reacts this way because a strange man has just claimed to be her long-lost husband of 20 years, after killing over 100 men in her banquet hall

• he doesn’t look like what he did when he left

How is Penelope clever in her response to Odysseus concerning his bed?

• by asking her servant to move it

• she is testing to see if the strange man is really Odysseus, since only they know that his bed is attached to an olive tree, and therefore unmovable

• Odysseus built the bed

What reasons does Penelope give Odysseus for why she is so cautious when interacting with Odysseus?

• imposters may have tried to come, pretending to be him

• she didn’t want to commit adultery

Greek beliefs/ideals, The Odyssey represents

• Always treat others with xenia

• A man should be able to give credit to the gods/goddesses for their support.

• Do not anger the gods by thinking you can do it all by yourself (hubris); give them their due credit.

• Without the gods, man is nothing.

• a good leader cares for his men as friends, and does not leave them behind

• what goes around, comes around; karma

• true love will always be mourned when lost

• family is the most important thing

What happened in Book I?

• We meet Odysseus

• He calls upon the Muse, goddess of poetry, to help him tell his story

• Odysseus has washed up on the land of the Phaeacians, where King Alcinous has taken him in and held a banquet in his honor, to introduce himself

• Odysseus begins his long retelling of his adventures returning from the Trojan War up to this point

What is hubris?

excessive pride toward or defiance of the gods, leading to nemesis (the inescapable agent of someone’s or something’s downfall)

How does Odysseus introduce himself to the Phaeacians?

• He describes himself as “Laertes’ son, Odysseus” which showcases that he has pride in being his father’s son

• Also, they may know of his father better than him, so he is making it easier for them to know who is is

What happens when Odysseus and his crew land near Ismarus?

• They raid, rob, and kill the Cicones

• the Ciconian army, allies of the Trojans, kills 72 of Odysseus’s men and banishes the rest to sea

• Odysseus realizes the grave mistake he just made

What happens to those who eat the Lotus?

• they become oblivious and disconnected from reality, almost in their own paradise (basically high), and become addicted to it

• they no longer have hope for or desire to return home, and want to stay at the magical place

How does Odysseus rescue his men from the land of the Lotus Eaters? What does it tell the audience about the hero and his relationship with his men? What does this show about leadership?

• he forcibly ties them to his ship, so they don’t escape, and sails off

• he tells the others not to eat the Lotus because of what it will do to them

• Odysseus is strong and courageous, and cares deeply about his men, not just as fighters, but as his friends, too

• he shows proficient leadership skills when ordering all other men to row and get away from the land of the Lotus Eaters

How do the Greeks view the Cyclopes? Is this the same way as the readers view them?

• the Greeks view them as uncivilized because they don’t have laws or wine, and they don’t farm, worship the gods, keep records of history, or treat their wives and children with respect (they hit them)

• the readers may view them differently since it’s said that the Cyclopses have racks of drying cheese, and organized lamb pastures, which can be received as a sign of civilization

Give an example of an epithet

“Dawn with fingertips of rose”

What does Euanthes’ son, Maron, give to Odysseus, and why does he give him this?

• 12 2-handled jars of sweet, thick, strong brandy

• 7 talents (form of currency)

• solid silver winebowl

• he gave these to him as a gift for his kindness (xenia)

What is Odysseus’ reply to his men when they voice their desire to steal the Cyclops’ cheese and lambs? What trait is showcased through his reply?

• he says he wants to, but refused because he wishes to see the cyclops and “what he had to offer” more

• curiosity is shown because instead of taking the easiest route of quickly stealing the food and leaving, Odysseus desires to understand the Cyclops and his lifestyle better

What happens in Book IX?

• Odysseus introduces himself to the Phaeacians

• He begins his story

• He tells of his time at the city of the Cicones, where he and his men raided their village, but also were attacked and lost 72 to the Ciconian army

• they travel to the land of the Lotus Eaters, and find out that the Lotus they eat is a highly addictive and powerful drug that makes them never want to leave

• Odysseus saves his men, and they venture on to the next island, where they observe the Cyclopes for several days, and presume them uncivilized

• He and his men go to the Cyclops’ den, and wait for his return

• When he comes back, they introduce themselves, expecting him to practice xenia, however he claims he is more powerful than the gods, then proceeds to eat Odysseus’s men

• They cannot kill him, because he is the only one who can open the big cave door

• Odysseus and the rest of his crew hide in the Cyclops’ cave until morning, then get him drunk

• Tells him his name is “Nohbdy”

• He creates a spike (lit, sharpened stick; torch) and stabs it in the Cyclops’ eye

• The Cyclops is now blind, but remains in the way of their escape

• The next day, Odysseus and his men tie themselves to the belly of the Cyclops’ sheep, so when he lets them out, they will be freed

• Once Odysseus and his men are back on their boat, he taunts the Cyclops, making fun of him fore not capturing them, saying “Zeus and the gods have paid you!”, his men tell him to stop

• The Cyclops throws a big part of the hill in front of Odysseus’s ship, it sends them back

• We found out that Polyphemus (the Cyclops) is Poseidon’s son

How do Odysseus and his men threaten the Cyclops in their response to his questions concerning who they are and where they are from?

• they tell him that Zeus and the gods will unleash fury and chaos on him if he doesn’t take care of them (practice xenia)

What is xenia?

The ancient Greek custom and sacred law of hospitality, which dictates a strict code of conduct for hosts and guests

What does the Cyclops do to Odysseus and his men? Does he participate in xenia when he interacts with them?

• he attacks and eats them

• doesn’t participate in xenia since he is not treating them with kindness or hospitality

What pun is used when Odysseus tells the Cyclops his name?

• Odysseus says his name is “Nohbdy”, which sounds like “nobody”

• comedic irony: when the Cyclops causes Odysseus of stealing is livestock and blinding him, it sounds like he’s saying “nobody did this to me”

• this showcases Odysseus’s guile

What happens to the Cyclops?

• blinded by a lit spike Odysseus and his men craft

• they also steal his sheep

What is Cyclops’s name, and who is his father?

• Polyphemus

• Poseidon - this may cause conflict since Odysseus is already on bad terms with Poseidon

How do Odysseus and his men get out of Polyphemus’s cave?

• tying themselves to the stomachs of Polyphemus’s rams, and crawling away when they go outside for food

How does hubris get Odysseus into trouble after he escapes with Polyphemus’s sheep? How is he then cursed?

• he taunts the Cyclops

• this causes Polyphemus to throw a huge piece of hill in front of their ship, sending them back to shore

• Since Polyphemus is Poseidon’s son, this will pose a threat for/curse Odysseus and his men, since they still have to travel all the way back to Ithaca across the sea

What ideals or beliefs do you think Odysseus/this story represents?

• those who don’t participate in xenia will be punished, and so will those who posses hubris

• leadership

• courage and perseverance

• importance of the gods

• loyalty

• you get what you deserve

Where does Book 11 take place? From whom is Odysseus given advice? What advice does he give to Odysseus?

• In the underworld, where the shades (dead souls) live

• Tiresias, the spirit of the prophet, advises Odysseus to get himself and his crew under control, otherwise he will meet death and destruction

Who from Odysseus’s past does he see? How did she die?

• his mother, Anticlea

• she commit suicide (drowned herself) because she grieved so much for Odysseus in his absence, though he was dead or would never return

• shows importance of family

• makes him want to return to his waiting family even more

Where do Odysseus and his men go after they leave the underworld?

• back to Circe’s island

Why should Odysseus be wary of the Sirens?

• they will tempt him and his crew, and make them forget about their home and families

• The sirens will make them jump overboard, either drown, or ignore their hunger and thirst

What should he and his men do to keep safe from the Sirens?

• put beeswax in their ears

• his men should tie him up in case he wishes to hear the song

• showcases the advice given to him by providing a plan to avoid the dangers of the Sirens

• his curiosity still thrives, so he must ALSO make a plan in case he can’t stand not knowing their song anymore

Describe Scylla.

• whelps/yaps

• huge and monstrous

• 12 tentacles

• 6 heads

• 3 rows of teeth

• hunts men and large creatures

What advice does Circe give Odysseus concerning Helios’s cattle?

• don’t steal his cattle because he will inflict conflict on him and his crew

How would you characterize Odysseus based on his speech to his men in Book XII?

• has good leadership skills

• can organize people very well

• can also be a bit harsh, especially under stressful circumstances

What ends up happening when the men encounter Scylla?

• Odysseus forgot about Circe’s warning not to fight her, and puts on his armor, and picks up his spear

• Scylla takes six of his men, and eats them

• Odysseus is traumatized by their final faces, the way they reach out to him

• Charybdis (giant whirlpool) is right next to them

Describe the circumstances of all of Odysseus’ shipmates’ deaths (Helios). Is it Odysseus’s fault?

• Zeus sent a lighting bolt down on their ship, killing all of Odysseus’s men except for him

• Zeus did this to avenge Helios, whose cattle were stolen and eaten by the men

• This wasn’t Odysseus’s fault because he earlier informed them not to eat the cattle, but they disobeyed him

What happens in Book XII?

• Circle gives Odysseus a long list of directions he must follow to beat the Sirens and Scylla

• They face the Sirens, they eventually get through, but the wind stops, causing it to take longer

• Odysseus hears them, wants his men to untie them, but they don’t

• then, they encounter Scylla, and she eats 6 of his men

• They are also next to Charybdis (whirlpool)

• Odysseus sees their faces and hears their calls to him before they die, feels bad for not telling them that they would die

• Odysseus tries to convince his men to bypass Thrinacia, the island of the sun god Helios, but they insist, so they land their

• They also ignore Odysseus’s warnings about not eating cattle, and then get struck by lightning from Zeus

• Odysseus is the only survivor, and drifts to Ogygia, the home of Calypso, where he stays captive for 7 years

• This is the final flash back book, or when he ends his story telling to King Alcinous

Temptress

a woman who tempts someone to do something, typically a sexually attractive woman who sets out to allure or seduce someone

Female Fatale

an attractive and seductive woman, especially one who will ultimately bring disaster to a man who becomes involved with her

Damsel in Distress

 a young woman in trouble, implying that the woman needs to be rescued