The Odyssey



The OdysseyReading and Study GuideMrs. Guest-ScottEnglish 9 Honors____________________________________________________________________________________________________________Name________________________________________________________Block_________ Who and Where is Odysseus?We will be keeping track of Odysseus as a character as we read the Odyssey. Use this page to help you keep track of Odysseus’ character traits and locations as we read the epic poem. Next to each entry on your character list, provide a line number indicating where you learned each piece of information and/or drew the inference about Odysseus’ character. You must include examples of DIRECT and INDIRECT characterization found in the Odyssey.Tell the Story p. 751The Odyssey opens with a convention of epic poetry—the poet’s prayer to the Muse. What does the poet ask of the Muse? Why?Lines 1-32 of the invocation allude to what Odysseus will undergo throughout the epic. What does Homer tell us about him and what will happen to him? Use the space below to keep track of the main events summarized in the invocation.Calypso, the Sweet Nymph p. 752Lines 33-60 contain many images that appeal to the senses. Why do you think there is such an emphasis on sensory images in this section?Lines 41-47 contain an example of an Homeric or epic simile, which is common throughout the Odyssey. What is Hermes’ flight compared to here? Consider the author’s intent and the telling of traditional epics—why might he have used such a simile?Lines 48-53 contain many more sensory images. What do you see, hear, feel, and smell in this famous description of Calypso’s home?Lines 64-70 should help you check your understanding of the text. Why has Hermes traveled to Calypso’s island?Lines 88-91 describe Calypso’s love for Odysseus and her decision to free him. What is peculiar about her wording here?Reread lines 109-111. Considering their similarity in appearance and emotions, what do you think distinguishes humans from Gods in the world of the Odyssey?Lines 119-122 give another example of a Homeric or epic simile. What is being compared in these lines?I am Laertes’ Son p. 756What impression do you get from Odysseus’ description of himself in lines 127-130?In lines 143-146, what central idea of the poem does Odysseus express in this passage?Trace the external conflicts in each 5-line set from lines 150-190. List a brief recap of each external conflict described in this short passage below.Reread lines 155-162. Odysseus, who considers himself a great leader, blames his unruly crew for the Cicones’ attack. How does their insubordination reflect on Odysseus? What does this conflict between the leader and his crew indicate for Odysseus’ continued journey?The Lotus Eaters p. 758In lines 204-215, why does Odysseus tie down the three men? What does this action tell you about him? About his men?The Cyclops p.760 See guided annotation text for reading notes and answer the question below at the conclusion of your reading.Take a moment to read “Welcome: A Religious Duty” on p. 771 in your literature book. According to this article, what is the origin of hospitality? How was hospitality practiced and violated in the Odyssey? Particularly in the Cyclops reading?The Enchantress Circe p.773Read the opening summary. What does the sailor’s opening of the bull hide bag suggest about their relationship with Odysseus?In lines 543-547, what comparison does Odysseus make to emphasize the strange gentleness of the wild beasts’ behavior?Circe, like Calypso, is first seen at her loom singing and weaving (lines 549-554). What inference could you make about the women of ancient Greece from this fact? Reread lines 565-569. How does this episode compare to an earlier trial on Odysseus’ journey?What is happening to the men in lines 570-576? Predict: Will Ehrylochus, Odysseus’ trusted crewman, rescue them?The Land of the Dead p. 775In the introductory summary, what other role do we learn Hermes played in the Odyssey?To whom is Odysseus referring when he uses the term sovereign Death in line 603?Review lines 621-623 and check for understanding. Which God is Tiresias referring to here? How do we know?Remember at the beginning of the epic (p. 751), where the poet reveals how the story ends? According to the excerpt from Book 1, do Odysseus’ men heed Tiresias’ warning (lines 630-633), or does the seer’s prophecy come true?Does knowing in advance what happens lessen your enjoyment of the story? Why would a storyteller reveal so much in the beginning of a tale? Consider how these epics were originally performed when formulating your answer.The Sirens, Scylla, and Charybdis p. 778What is the meaning of the word innocent in the context of line 663?From what you know of Odysseus, will he take the risk of hearing the Siren’s song?People sometimes use the expression “caught between Scylla and Charybdis.” Reading this section of the Odyssey, what does this expression mean? Can you think of a more mainstream expression that means more or less the same thing?Do you agree with Circe’s assertion (lines 704-706) that it is better to sacrifice six men than to risk losing them all? Explain your answer.In lines 660-715, Odysseus is warned of four distinct dangers: Sirens, Scylla, Charybdis, and Helios’ cattle/flocks of sheep, which he will find on the coast of Thrinakia. Briefly describe the particular peril posed by each AND the method Odysseus can use to avoid disaster at each obstacle.What does Odysseus do to encourage his crew in lines 770-777? What does this tell us about his abilities as a leader, a key element of our modern conception of the hero?Odysseus shares much with his crew about the dangers facing them, but he omits one detail on p. 782. What does he omit? Why?Examine lines 793-797: What does Odysseus’ failure to remember Circe’s warning against using weapons possibly reveal about his character?Lines 822-826 contain another extremely vivid Homeric simile. What is being described here? What is the effect of this particular comparison—what does it emphasize about the situation Odysseus and his crew find themselves in?The Cattle of the Sun God p. 784Since Odysseus is captain, should he have ordered his men to bypass the island of Thrinakia, or was there wisdom in his permissiveness with the crew? Explain.In lines 878-894, Odysseus’ loyal crewman Eurylochus makes an “insidious plea.” What is he arguing?Odysseus constantly takes credit with things go well. Now, in lines 915-918, when a tragedy occurs, he blames the Gods for making him fall asleep. What does this reveal about his character?The Odyssey “RAP-up” ................
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