Pre-Reading Notes the Odyssey

Pre-Reading Notes The Odyssey

Quick summary of Books 1-4

This Epic Poem is divided into “books,” you can think of these books as chapters. After the muses are cued and honored, Homer starts in the middle of the tale. Books 1-4 feature Telemachus, a young man around 21 or so who is the son of Odysseus and Penelope. Telemachus must deal with the suitors surrounding his mother. One hundred men seek the queen’s hand in marriage, and because the society of the time views hospitality as a moral obligation, they are literally eating the queen and her son out of house and home - not to mention irritating the poor woman to death trying to pressure her into marriage. Telemachus must become a man quickly, for the suitors want him dead and out of the way. Athena intervenes, sending the young man on a trip and allowing time and travel to season him so that upon Odysseus’s return, the king will have a strong right arm in his son. (We will read Books 5-12 – This is the “journey” portion of the story.)

Concepts in The Odyssey

 The Hero’s Journey

 Hubris/Humility

 Achille’s Choice (Long boring life vs Short glorious life)

 To be remembered/To be forgotten (Epithet)

 Xenia/Violation of Xenia

 Appetite/Mind (Passion/Reason)

 Democracy/Lawlessness (Order/Anarchy)

 Resourcefulness/At a loss

 Persuasion techniques

 Gods vs. Humans (immortality vs mortality)

 Six Human Needs: Certainty/Uncertainty/Love & Connection/Growth/Contribution/Significance

 Special Powers (magic) / Human Powers (realism) Study Guide Questions Book V-XII

Book V 1. Describe Calypso’s island. 2. What kind of goddess is Calypso? Why does she rescue Odysseus? Why does she let him go? 3. What are your first impressions of Odysseus? (Find textual support for your response!) 4. What happens as Odysseus sights Phaeacia? 5. How do Ino and Athena help Odysseus get to land?

Book VI 1. What unusual provision does Athena make for Odysseus to get clothes and shelter? 2. Describe King Alcinous’s family. 3. Why are the girls frightened when they see Odysseus? 4. How is Naausica’s reaction different from the other girls? Why? What invitation does she offer Odysseus? What future event does she consider? 5. Why does Athena make a face-to-face appearance in answer to Odysseus’ prayer?

Book VII 1. Describe Phaeacia. What specialty do the women possess? What is Naausica’s impression of the people of Phaeacia? 2. Naausica gives Odysseus one reason that he should not follow the girls through town; Odysseus tells the father a different reason. How do the stories differ? Why do the stories differ?

Book VIII 1. Describe the king’s hospitality. Why does Odysseus cry? 2. What athletic skills do the men exhibit? 3. How does Odysseus prove himself? 4. For what are the Phaeacian’s best known? 5. What point does the poet’s song about Aphrodite and Area make about love and justice? Why do you think this story in included in Homer’s tale? 6. How does Odysseus react to the Trojan Horse story? What does the King do about Odysseus’ reaction? 7. What is foreshadowed by King Alcinous’ telling what his father had predicted?

Book IX 1. Look back to the ending of Book VIII. What is the occasion for Odysseus’ telling these stories of his adventure? 2. Who sends the storm? 3. What happens to the sailors when they meet the lotus-eaters? 4. Describe the Cyclopeans. 5. What motivates Odysseus to explore the island? Who does he take with them? What do they find? 6. Why should Odysseus have listened to his men? 7. What does Polyphemus have for supper and breakfast? 8. Why don’t the men escape during the day? 9. How do they finally get out of the cave? What gory details does Homer use to make a vivid story? 10. Why don’t the other Cyclopeans help Polyphemus? 11. What one scene appeals to the reader’s sympathy and makes Polyphemus more that just a brute? 12. Why does Odysseus shout out his real name when he leaves? 13. What action at the end of this chapter could be considered foreshadowing? What do you know will happen to Odysseus?

Book X 1. What catastrophe takes place? Why does it happen? 2. Describe the Laestrygonians’ odd appearance and behavior. 3. Describe Circe’s house and guards. 4. Why are the men unafraid? What happens when they go in? 5. Who protects Odysseus from Circe’s witchery? How? 6. Before Odysseus will eat or make love to Circe, what does he make her do? 7. When Odysseus reminds Circe of her promise to help them get home safely, what does she tell him he must do first? Why? 8. What is the ritual Circe prescribes for them when they land? 9. What tragedy takes place just before they leave? 10. What gift does Circe leave for them near the ship?

Book XI 1. Where is Oceanos? 2. What does Odysseus do first when he lands? What response does he get? 3. Who is the first person he recognizes? What is his request? 4. Why does Teiresias drink blood? What prediction does he make? 5. What 4 things does Odysseus learn from his mother? 6. What do the women who are sent in by Persephone have in common? 7. Who is Epicaste? What is the story of her and her son? 8. What tragic reception did Agamemnon get when he returned from Troy? 9. What does Achilles say about death? 10. Odysseus visits those who are tormented in the afterlife. Describe the punishment: Tityo, Tantalus, Sisyphus. 11. What is Hercules’ crime? What was his punishment? Why does he pity Odysseus? Why do Odysseus and his men leave so quickly?

Book XII 1. What is Odysseus’ first act after leaving Hades and returned to Circe’s island? 2. What two great dangers does Circe warn the men about? What advice does she give about meeting these dangers? 3. What is her warning about Helios’ cattle? What will be the consequences to Odysseus and his men? 4. What disagreement do Eurylochus and Odysseus have as night approaches? 5. Why do they stay for more than one night (as originally planned)? 6. What danger that he once experienced with his men, does Odysseus now face all alone? What are the consequences?