A Goddess Intervenes: Book 1



“A Goddess Intervenes” Book 1

1. Who is narrating the first lines of Book 1?

2. What is a muse?

3. To which muse would Homer be praying?

4. What does Homer ask of the muse?

5. “The Wanderer” and “That Man Skilled in all Ways of Contending” are examples of which Odyssey literary term?

6. What happened to Odysseus’ men and why?

7. While Odysseus is gone what troubles are his family facing?

8. What is the name of Odysseus’ son?

“Calypso” Book 5

1. How many years does Odysseus spend on Calypso’s island?

2. Who is narrating this episode?

3. Describe each of the following characters as he/she first appears in the epic:

|Hermes |Calypso |Odysseus |

| | | |

| | | |

4. What message is Hermes bringing to Calypso’s island?

5. What is Odysseus doing when we first meet him and why?

6. On page 1206, there is an example of a Homeric simile comparing Hermes to a seagull. What is alike about the two things?

7. What type of relationship does Odysseus have with Calypso?

8. What three reasons does Odysseus give to persuade Calypso to release him?

9. Does he actually need to persuade her? Why/why not?

10. What does Calypso offer Odysseus if he will stay with her?

11. Where does Odysseus end up at the end of this section?

12. Who helps him once he gets to land?

“I Am Laertes’ Son” Book 9

1. Where does Odysseus land at the end of Book 6?

2. Who welcomes him when they get there? How does he welcome him?

3. What do Odysseus’ descriptions of his victories tell you about his character?

4. How does he justify his relationship with Calypso?

5. In lines 24-26 what does Odyssey say he values more than anything?

6. After leaving Troy, who do Odysseus and him men encounter? How many of his men are killed?

“The Lotus Eaters” Book 9

1. Why do Odysseus and his men stop at the island of the Lotus Eaters in the first place?

2. Odysseus sends three men to get supplies. What happens to them?

3. Describe the effects of the lotus flower.

4. What could the lotus plant be compared to in today’s society?

5. Odysseus has to go get the men. How does he get the three back out to sea?

6. Do you think Odysseus was justified in forcing his men to return to the ship? Why/why not?

7. List three adjectives to describe Odysseus’ leadership skills so far. Explain why you chose these adjectives.

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