The Odyssey Study Packet

Name: ______Date: ______Period: ______The Odyssey Study Packet Book 21, “The Test of the Bow”

Summary, “The Homecoming”: With the help of ______, Odysseus finally returns to

______. The goddess ______

meets him, and warns him of the 100 ______who now live there,

trying to wed ______and take over his estate. Following

Athena’s advice, Odysseus disguises himself as a ______. There he sees two suitors in particular, ______and ______, who are rude and demanding. Odysseus is reunited with ______(his ______), and they discuss how to avenge their family honor. In the meantime, ______, who is ignorant to her husband’s return, proposes an archery contest. The prize for the contest is

______, and the suitors must properly use Odysseus’

______to win.

Vocabulary:

 Commandeer : ______

 Justification: ______

 Plunder: ______

 Gall: ______

 Dithering: ______

 Frenzy: ______

 Omen: ______

 Contemptible: ______

Question: How does Homer illustrate Penelope’s continued sadness over Odysseus’ absence? Name: ______Date: ______Period: ______The Odyssey Study Packet Book 21, “The Test of the Bow”

Question: In lines 14-19, how does Homer indicate the conflict between Penelope and the suitors?

Question: Based on lines 33-43, how would you characterize Antinous?

Question: Take a look at lines 123-130. Why could Odysseus’ words in this passage be considered verbal irony?

Question: Based on lines 158-173, what inferences can you make about Eumaeus’ character? What about Telemachus?

Question: Take a look at the epic simile in lines 199-203. What does the simile emphasize about Odysseus?

Question: Why does Odysseus say, “neither did I take all day stringing the bow” in lines 221-223? Name: ______Date: ______Period: ______The Odyssey Study Packet Book 21, “The Test of the Bow”

Question: In lines 225-226, explain the irony in cooking the lordships’ meal.

Characters to Know:

 Athena: ______

 Penelope: ______

 Telemachus: ______

 Eumaeus: ______

 Antinous: ______

 Eurymachus: ______

Summary of Book 21: Write your own. Be sure to answer all the important who’s, what’s, when’s, where’s, and why’s.

______

Themes: Circle all that are appropriate to Book 21. Name: ______Date: ______Period: ______The Odyssey Study Packet Book 21, “The Test of the Bow” Heroism Adventure Nostos Xenia Temptation Fate and Free Will Cunning Family Suffering Loyalty Pride Emotionality