English 1 midterm review

How do Eumaeus' dogs treat Telemachus? This is an example of what archetype?

"the howling dogs went nuzzling up around him" Friendly Beast

What archetype are Eumaeus' dogs?

Friendly Beast

How does Odysseus know that Telemachus is a friend of the swineherd?

The dogs recognize him, so he must be a friend (inference)

Describe the epic simile used on page 339? What is being compared? Why is it important?

As a father... So the loyal swineherd hugged the beaming prince (lines 19-23)

Eumaeus = father, Telemachus = son

Telemachus grew up without a father, this is happening in front of the disguised Odysseus

Another example of crying men = passion, not weakness / cultural value of Greeks

Boy in "Through the tunnel" doesn't have a father figure

What do Eumaeus, Odysseus, and Telemachus do together?

Eat together (lines 50-60)

What is ironic about Odysseus's speech about what Telemachus should do?

"If I were Odysseus..." - dramatic irony line 112

Does Telemachus have any brothers?

No - line 128

Where does Telemachus send Eumaeus?

Tell mom that I'm alive, but no one else since everyone wants to kill me - line 147

What does Athena do to Odysseus?

Makes him look young again so that people will recognize him - lines 195-200

How does Telemachus react to Odysseus' reveal?

Thinks he's a god at first - 201

Then "wild with disbelief", how could a man have changed that quickly? - 219

Odysseus explains it was Athena's doing - 238

About how many suitors will they have to face?

100+

Briefly describe the plan.

He formulates a plan to launch a surprise attack from within the palace: Odysseus will enter

disguised as a beggar and Telemachus will hide the palace's surplus arms where the suitors cannot

easily reach them. The two of them will then seize the arms and slaughter the suitors.

What does Odysseus ask Telemachus to do?

Don't tell ANYONE I'm home yet.

Who is Argos? How is he important to Odysseus' story?

Odysseus' old dog

What type of irony is present in Book 17 (including the section)?

Dramatic Irony - Eumaeus doesn't know he's with Odysseus

What interesting belief does Eumaeus have about slavery?

"Slaves with their lords no longer there to crack the whip, lose all zest to perform their duties

well."

What happens to Argos?

Dies happy after recognizing his owner one last time - interesting because Odysseus is still in

disguise

What does Argos symbolize?

The state of Odysseus' household - strong and unbeatable when Odysseus was present, but

goes into disrepair and is beaten up once Odysseus is gone.

What is the major symbol in this chapter 20? What does it represent?

Birds; Eagle (Athena-daughter of Zeus) clutching a trembling dove (suitors) 20.270

Provide text evidence that indicates a conflict between Penelope and the suitors.

When she addresses the suitors in the beginning of book 21. "Listen to me, my overbearing friends! You

who plague this palace night and day" (21.78-79)

Why does Penelope choose an archery contest to decide who she will marry?

To honor Odysseus. He was really good at it.

Make an inference about the character of Antinous (ADJECTIVE); provide a direct quote to support your

inference.

Terrible, conceited, upstart, conniving, insensitive. After seeing the servants cry about their beloved

Odysseus, he says "Yokels, fools - you can't tell night from day! You mawkish idiots, why are you sniveling

here?" (21.98-99)

What is Odysseus' disguise?

Old man/beggar

Name the two lead suitors:

Antinous, Eurymachus

Eumaeus

Eurycleia

Philoetius

Eumaeus - Swineherd

Eurycleia - nurse aide

Philoetius - cowherd

What does Odysseus offer to his allies for their loyalty?

"I'll find you wives, both of you, grant you property, sturdy houses beside my own, and in my eyes you'll be

comrades to Prince Telemachus, brothers from then on" (21.241-243).

What is Eurymachus' primary concern when he fails?

He's not concerned about the marriage, he's concerned about what the other men will think of him. "a

disgrace to ring in the ears of men to come" (21.285).

How does Antinous react to the beggar's request? Why do you think he reacts this way?

He yells at the beggar, Ody. "Modest words that sent them all into hot, indignant rage, fearing he just

might string the polished bow. So Anitonus rounded on himl, dressed him down: "Not a shred of sense in

your head, you filthy drifter!" (21.318-323).

He feels insecure about his chances of stringing the bow and doesn't want to take any chances.

Make an inference for Telemachus' character (ADJECTIVE) at this point in the story; provide a direct quote

to support your inference.

He is more confident than he was before his journey. He sounds less like a little boy trying to control his

mother than a grown man establishing his boundaries. "I hold the reins of power in this house" (21.393).

What qualities of Odysseus does the epic simile on 437-438 emphasize?

His expertise with the bow, and a how he is similar to an artist/musician with it.

How do Telemachus' actions in this chapter show that he has matured?

He's taking instruction well. He accepts blame when they see the suitors have found the armor to defend

themselves.

Do Odysseus and his comrades win the battle easily, or not? Explain. (446-447)

Kind of. They barred the doors and were more armed than the suitors were expecting; they laid a trap.

When it starts to become less likely that they'll win, Athena steps in to help out.

According to Odysseus, why did the suitors die? (452)

Because of their own actions. "It's unholy to glory over the bodies of the dead. These men the doom of the

gods has brought low, and their own indecent acts. They'd no regard for any man on earth- good or bad- who

chanced to come their way. And so, thanks to their reckless work, they met this shameful fate" (22.437-442).

What does Odysseus do to cleanse the palace after the slaughter?

He burns the bodies and fumigates his home. "'Bring sulfur, nurse, to scour all this pollution- bring me fire

too, so I can fumigate the house" (22.509-510).

How is this symbolic?

Fire represents a type of cleansing destruction. It destroys the evil that the suitors brought into

his home. "'Light me a fire to purify this house.'...Odysseus purged his palace, halls and court, with

cleansing fumes" (22.519-522).

Book 22 themes

maturation, loyalty, perseverance, mercy, justice vs vengeance

"[Phemius the bard] then rushed up to Odysseus, yes, and clutched his knees, singing out to his king with a stirring,

winged prayer: 'I hug your knees, Odysseus - mercy! Spare my life!'"

Theme: \________Mercy\____________________

"'You dogs! You never imagined I'd return from Troy - so cocksure that you bled my house to death...wooed my wife

behind my back while I was still alive! No fear of the gods who rule the skies up there, no fear that men's revenge

might arrive someday - now all your necks are in the noose - your doom is sealed!'" (22.36-42).

Theme: \______Justice vs. Vengeance\_________

"'Love your mockery, do you? No more shooting off your mouth, you idiot... Take this spear, this guest-gift, for the

cow's hoof you once gave King Odysseus begging in his house!'" (22.301-305).

Theme: \______Justice vs. Vengeance / Loyalty\________

"'My fault, father,' the cool clear prince replied, 'the blame's all mine. That snug door to the vault, I left it ajar -

they've kept a better watch than I'" (22.162-164).

Theme: \________Maturation\_________

"'And once you've put the entire house in order, march the women out of the great hall...and hack them with your

swords, slash out all their lives - blot out of their minds the joys of love they relished under the suitors' bodies,

rutting on the sly!'" (22.465-470).

Theme: \_______Justice vs. Vengeance\_________

"'Where's it gone, Odysseus - your power, your fighting heart? The great soldier who fought for famous white-

armed Helen, battling Trojans nine long years...'" (22.236-238).

Theme: \______Perseverance\_______

"Rousing words - but [Athena] gave no all-out turning of the tide, not yet, she kept on testing Odysseus and his

gallant son, putting their force and fighting heart to proof" (22.246-249).

Theme: \______Perseverance\________

"The inspired Prince Telemachus heard [the bard's] please and quickly said to his father close beside him, 'Stop, don't

cut him down! This one's innocent. So is the herald Medon - the one who always tended me in the house when I

was little - spare him too'" (22.374-379).

Theme: \_______Mercy / Loyalty\__________

"Melanthius? They hauled him out through the doorway, into the court, lopped his nose and ears with a ruthless

knife, tore his genitals out for the dogs to eat raw and in manic fury hacked off hands and feet" (22.500-504).

Theme: \_____Justice vs. Vengeance\________

"[Telemachus] ran back to reach his father's side in no time...[Odysseus'] servants followed suit - both harnessed up

and all three flanked Odysseus, mastermind of war..." (22.123-124).

\______Loyalty / Perseverance\_________

What do Penelope and Eurycleia argue about at the beginning of Bk. 23?

Eurycleia claims that Odysseus is home, but Penelope calls her crazy. She does not believe that after all

of this time her husband has returned.

Why is Telemachus irritated at his mother?

He is disappointed because she is treating Odysseus poorly when she first sees him and it has been

twenty years since they have been together. She should be happier and more accepting.

What (who) does Penelope believe caused the deaths of the suitors?

She believes there is no way Odysseus could have killed all the suitors. She thinks that a god did it.

What future problems does Odysseus see as a result of the killing of the suitors?

He thinks that the family of the suitors will want revenge for the killing of their sons.

What does Odysseus want those outside his palace to believe is happening within the palace?

He wants the people outside the palace to believe that there is a wedding going on inside the palace.

He tells Telemachus that everyone should clean and dress well, and he should have the bard play