The Odyssey Study Guide Book 1-12

Where is Odysseus in Book 1?

He is on the island of Ogygia with Calypso.

What or whom is Athena disguised as in Book 1?

Mentes, a friend of Odysseus' family.

Why do Telemachos and his mother need Odysseus to com home?

The suitors are taking over the island and plundering their wealth. They need him to help restore order and peace on Ithaca.

Why does Odysseus's wife have suitors?

It is believed Odysseus is dead so 108 eligible bachelors have accumulated on the island with the hope of capturing her hand in marriage, thus gaining Ithaca for their own kingdom.

What does Athena advise Telemachos to do in Book 1?

She advises him to search for news of his father's whereabouts in Pylos, after she convinces him he is still alive.

Describe the trick that Penelopeia plays on her suitors.

She told her suitors she wouldn't commit to any of them until she finished weaving Laertes' burial shroud. She unravels it each night.

What specifically does Athena do to help Telemachos in book 2?

She gets him a crew to go to Pylos (and a boat and fair sailing winds)

What is Nestor's opinion of Odysseus?

He thinks he is brave and wise, a good strategist (he liked him overall), big hearted, still alive

Describe Nestor's reaction when he realizes that Telemachos' companion is Athena.

Trusts Telemachos implicitly, offers Athena a sacrifice

What clues cue Menelaos and Helen that Telemachos is Odysseus's son?

Family resemblance, cares deeply for a man he doesn't know

What is Menelaos' opinion of Odysseus?

Really likes him, Odysseus saved his life, fought with him

Describe Antinoos' plan to destroy Telemachos.

Take 20 men, intercept Telemachos in a strait and board his ship (and kill them all)

Who is Hermes, and what is his mission?

He is a god, Odysseus' great grandfather, and he was sent by Zeus to tell Kalypso to let Odysseus go.

What can Hermes do with his wand?

He can make people fall asleep or wake up.

Who is holding Odysseus captive?

Kalypso.

What is Calypso's reaction to having to let Odysseus go?

She is angry and believes the gods are jealous and do not approve of her relationship with him because he is a mortal, similar to how they disapproved of other gods who had relations with humans.

What is the main problem Odysseus faces while traveling by sea?

Poseidon wants to keep him from getting home and he is the god of the sea, which can make Odysseus' trip very difficult and dangerous.

What happens to Odysseus at the end of Book 5?

He ends up on Skheria Island

What "subliminal" message does Athena give to Nausicaa while she lies sleeping?

That she should get married soon and do the laundry down by the river. (dreaming)

Who is the only person who doesn't run away from the terrifying Odysseus? Why doesn't she run away?

Nausicaa - Athena gave her strong knees and a bold heart.

Is it pure luck that Nausicaa helps Odysseus? Explain.

No - Athena helps them come across each other at every turn. She made Nausicaa come down to the river, she made her stay and play, etc.

What does the fact that Odysseus won't bathe in front of the girls tell us about the kind of person he is?

He is a gentleman and doesn't want to indecently expose himself to innocent girls.

Does Nausicaa believe her parents will help Odysseus?

Yes. If they favor him, they will help him on his journey home.

Why won't Nausicaa let Odysseus ride in her cart?

Because people will assume she is having premarital relations with him if they see them together.

What instructions does Nausicaa give Odysseus?

Go to her house, hug the knees of her mother and beg the favor of her. If she likes him, her husband will ensure he receives the help he needs.

What craft are the Phaiacians best known for?

Ship-building

How is Odysseus treated as a guest by the Phaiacians?

Seat of honor, feed him, give him ship and oarsmen, throw a party

Describe the activities that King Alcinoos arranges to entertain Odysseus.

Foot racing, boxing, wrestling, singing entertainment

Who is Demodocos?

Storyteller/minstrel/singer who talks about the Trojan War (Phaiacians)

How is King Alcinoos helping Odysseus to get home?

Gives him a ship and crew, food, clothing, treasures

What is Odysseus's reaction whenever Demodocos sings about the Trojan War?

He starts crying

What was the effect of the Lotus plant?

Drug-like effect, makes the men forget about returning home

How heavy is the door of the Cyclops' cave?

So heavy, several wagon teams are needed to move it

What is the first villainous thing the Cyclops does?

He eats two of Odysseus' men

Why doesn't Odysseus kill the Cyclops when he has the chance?

Because he is not strong enough to open the door/ doesn't want to be trapped in the cave with his dead body

What does Odysseus give the Cyclops as a gift?

Brandy in a winebowl

What gift does the Cyclops give in return?

He'll eat Odysseus last

What does Odysseus tell the Cyclops that his name is?

Nobody

How does Odysseus and his men sneak out of the Cyclops' cave?

Under the bellies of the sheep (tie themselves there to avoid detection)

What foolish thing does Odysseus do?

Tells Polyphemus his name, taunts him

What did a soothsayer once predict would happen to the Cyclops?

Lose an eye to a great hero

What does the Cyclops ask his father Poseidon to do for him?

Kill Odysseus, cause him trouble on his journey homeward

Who is the god of wind?

Aeolus

What favor does Aeolus do for Odysseus and his men?

Gives him a bag of wind (the bag contains the winds that will keep him from getting to Ithaca)

What stupid mistake do some of the men make on the ship that delays their journey when they were almost home?

They opened the bag of winds which blew the ship off course.... Because the men thought it contained gold and Odysseus was asleep.

How do even more of Odysseus' men die after the bag of wind accident?

They end up on the island of the Laestrygonians (giant cannibals)... some men are eaten by them and when they escape on their ships, the L's throw large boulders at their fleet, sinking all ships except Odysseus'.

What does Circe do to some of Odysseus's men?

She turns them into pigs/swine

How does Odysseus get Circe to release his men?

Uses the mole to avoid succumbing to her powers, agrees to hook up with her in exchange for her returning his men back

What instructions does Circe give Odysseus?

Go to the underworld and talk to the blind prophet, Tiresias who can give insight into his future.

What does Odysseus do to call the souls of the dead to him?

Sacrifices booze, lambs, and a heifer to open the Underworld to him

Who is Teiresias and what does Odysseus want from him?

He's a blind prophet who can tell Odysseus what has yet to happen

What does Teiresias predict for Odysseus?

Tells him he will be the only survivor if they eat the cattle of Helios, tells him Poseidon will try to keep him from getting home, that he will eventually get home and kill suitors and reclaim throne

What does Teiresias say Odysseus should do to the suitors at his house?

Kill them

What does Teiresias say Odysseus should do after dealing with the suitors?

Sacrifice something to Poseidon to clear his anger

What is the name of Odysseus's mother and how did she die?

Anticleia - died of sadness/loneliness

Why can't Odysseus hug his dead mother?

Violates the rules of the underworld

Why should Odysseus be wary of the Sirens?

Their song attracts everyone and they kill those who reach them

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

Fill their ears with beeswax to block out their song

What does Odysseus put in his ears to block the Sirens?

Nothing. He has his men tie him up.

Describe Scylla.

6 headed sea creature with tentacles - it's a female

What will Charybdis do if Odysseus's ship gets too close?

Whirlpool - giant vortex (the ship will be swallowed)

What does Odysseus keep secret from his men?

That he knows six men will die to the Scylla

Describe the circumstances of Odysseus's shipmates' deaths. Is it Odysseus's fault?

The Scylla ate them and dangled them in front of him... yes it was his fault! (Helios' cattle - Zeus killed the men with a thunderbolt after they ate the cattle).