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/ . Book VII Reading Guide — Scene: lhe island of Scheria, land of the Phaeacians. Characters: Odysseus, Athena, Nausicaa, Alcinous, Arete I low are the Phaecians portrayed in the opening lines otthe book? (p. 179, lines 5, 12) What qualities is Arete known for? (p. 181) What does the description of Alcinous’s palace suggest about the Phaeacians’ relationships with the gods? (p. 182-183) I low does Odysseus approach Arete? (p. 184) l-low does Alcinous act as a host? (p. 185-186) What decision does Aicinous make about aiding Odysseus’s voyage home? (p. 189) “Calypso” “Nausicaa” Mv name is Calypso I \valkcd the ocean daily \nd I have lived alone I prayed to every deity I live on an island linallv the ocean gave me \nd I waken to the dawn \vhat it should never take away A long rime ago I watched him struggle with the sea You were just like a god I knew that he was drowning You stepped out from a cloud And I brought him into me but by the ftrst thing you said Now today I knew I’d never share your bed Come morning light lie sails away Couldn’t we possibly be each other’s? After one last night Isn’t there a somewhere to be lovers? I let him go. Why did you have to be for another? Why can’t I come with you as a lover? My name is Calypso My garden overflows ! walk back long the ocean Thick and wild and hidden I watch where your footsteps have been Is the sweetness there that grows Should I trust the gods of destiny My hair it blows long or throw myself into the sea? As I sing into the wind My name is Calypso Couldn’t we possibly be each other’s? And I have lived alone Isn’t there a somewhere to be lovers? I live on an island \Vhy did you have to be for another? [tell of nights Why can’t I come with you as a lover? Where I could taste the salt on his skin Salt of the waves And of tears And though he pulled away I kept him here for years I let him go. My name is Calypso I have let him go In the dawn he sails away To be gone forever more And the waves will take him in again But hell know their ways now I will stand upon the shore With a clean heart And my song in the wind The sand will sting my feet And the sky will burn It’s a lonely time ahead I do not ask him to return I let him go I let him go “Nausicaa” by (lass Wave compared to F lomer page 172 176, lines I 48273 1. \Vhat is your impression of Nausicaa from the text? 1rom the Song? Do YOU believe the song to be an accurate representation of Nausicaa? Why or why not? 2. Flow much influence does Athena have in the Odysseus’s reception at Scheria? I low is the role of the gods portrayed in the song? How do the two compare? 3. Why do the Phaecians believe Odysseus to be a God? What transformations do we see in the text? Do you believe he has transformed since his first appearance in the epic? Fishbowl Discussions Calypso” by Suzanne Vega compared to I lomer (page 157-159, tines 164- 251) 1. \Vhat is your impression of Calypso from the text? lrom the song? Do you believe the song to be an accurate rcpresenraon of Calypso? \Vhy or why not? 2. Is the relationship between Calypso and Odysseus mutual? According to the text? The song? 3. What does the imagery of day and night in both Vega’s song as well as the text say about Odysseus’s relationship with Calypso? ook VIII Reading (;mde Scene: lhc island of Scheria, land of the Phaeacians. (Tharacters: Odysseus, ;\thena, Nausicaa, \lcinous, Arete, I)emodocus, Laodamon, Broadsea, I lephestus, j\rcs, \phrodite, Apollo, Hermes Who is Demodocus? (p. 192) I low does Odysseus react to the bard’s [list song? (p. 194) \Vhat games are played at the festivities? (p. 195) What does Laodamas say to Odysseus to convince him to join the games? How does Odysseus react? (p. 195-197) flow does Odysseus prove himself in the games, and how does Alcinous respond? (p. 197-199) Ixp1ain 1he Love ot \res and \phroditc Crowned with I1o\vers as sung by the bard. (p. 200203) Why does Odysseus respect Demodocus? (p. 207) What is the bard’s final song? how does Odysseus react? (p. 208) Book IX Readini Guide Scene: [he island oScheria, land of the Phaeacians where Odysseus tells his journeys of the Land of the Cicones, the Land of the Lotus haters, and the Island of the Cyclops Characters: Odysseus, Polvphemus the Cyclops (son of Poseidon) Part 1: lines L343 flow does Odysseus reveal his identity to the Phaeacians? What does he say? (p. 212) What occurs at the Land of the Cicones? (p. 212213) What effect does the lotus flower have on Odysseus’s crew? (p. 214) How does Odysseus describe the Cyclops and how their society functions? (p. 215) What does Odysseus’s crew suggest upon entering the cave of the Cyclops? (p. 218) How does Odysseus approach the Cyclops and ask for xenia? (p. 219-220) How does the Cyclops react? What does he do to Odysseus and his crew? (p. 220-221) Part 11: lines 344—630 [low do Odysseus and his crew success uIlv blind the Cyclops? (p. 222-224) kxplain how Odysseus’s way with words’ is depicted in the chapter. Why does Odysseus say his name is nobody’ and how does this trick help Odysseus and his men escape? (p. 224) How do Odysseus and his men sneak out of the cave after the Cyclops has been blinded? (p. 224- 225) What does Odysseus do upon hoarding the ship and setting off to sea that risks the lives of him and his crew? What does this reveal about Odysseus’s character? (p. 226-228) \Vhat does Polyphemus do after learning that it was Odysseus who had blinded him and that he and his crew escaped? (p. 228).
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