Characters and MotivationsBook Two
As you read Book Two, record the major descriptions, actions, motivations, and key quotations of Telemachus.
Description of Character Traits Key Quotations Actions and Motivations Episode that Reveal Character Traits
Telemachus Assertive Telemachus is doing “‘But now, look, you load my heart addresses the what Athena (Mentes) with grief--there’s nothing I can do!’ assembly; his Frustrated asked him to do. Filled with anger, down on the objective is to tell ground he dashed the speaker’s the suitors to scepter--bursting into tears” leave his palace; (2.84-86). he becomes emotional and bursts into tears.
Antinous, the Logical Telemachus stands “I will never issue that ultimatum to worst suitor, firm in his resolve my mother. And you, if you have any takes advantage Measured despite the threats shame in your own hearts, you of Telemachus’s from Antinous. must leave my palace!” (2.154-155). emotion and Assertive complains about Penelope’s deceit. He then declares that the suitors will not leave until Penelope choses one of them as a husband. Telemachus remains calm in his response.
In the space below, explain how Telemachus has changed since Book One.
Telemachus, even though he shows traces of intimidation, is firm in his resolve. He is no longer a passive spectator to the ruin of his estate.
Grade 9: The Odyssey
Characters and MotivationsBook Five
As you read Book Five, record the major descriptions, actions, motivations, and key quotations of Odysseus.
Description of Character Traits Key Quotations Actions and Motivations Episode that Reveal Character Traits
As Hermes flies depressed Odysseus is sobbing “Off he sat on a headland, weeping into Ogygia, the because he wishes to there as always, wrenching his scenery is so grief-stricken go home. heart with sobs and groans and gorgeous and anguish gazing out over the barren idyllic that even forlorn sea through blinding tears” he is impressed. (2.93-95). Odysseus, hopeless however, is weeping heavily as he looks out to sea.
Calypso tells clever Odysseus knows that “Look at my wise Penelope. She falls Odysseus that Calypso controls when far short of you, your beauty she has been shrewd he leaves and with stature” (2.239-240). ordered to release what provisions, so he him. She tells him hypocritical flatters her. “And now, withdrawing into the that it would be cavern’s deep recesses, long in each better for him to other’s arms, they lost themselves just stay with her in love” (2.250-251). and asks if Penelope could ever compete with her. Odysseus gives her the answers that she wants to hear.
As Odysseus sets weary Odysseus is filled with “Wretched man--what becomes of off on his fear and me now, at last?” (2.329). homemade raft, discouraged discouragement and Poseidon sends a “Would to god I’d died there too and storm that met my fate that day the Trojans,
Grade 9: The Odyssey
destroys his small desolate wishes that he had swarms of them, hurled at me vessel. died at Troy. with bronze spears...a hero’s funeral then, my glory spread by my
comrades--now what a wretched death I’m doomed to die!” (2.340-345).
In the space below, explain how Odysseus is a complex character.
Odysseus, a man of conflicting motivations and actions, is a complex character. He is supposed to be the hero of the epic, yet his emotional outpouring seems anything but heroic. Also, heroes are supposed to be loyal to those whom they love, but he is living as Calypso’s husband.
Grade 9: The Odyssey
Characters and MotivationsBook Six
As you read Book Six, record the major descriptions, actions, motivations, and key quotations of Odysseus.
Description of Character Traits Key Quotations Actions and Motivations Episode that Reveal Character Traits
Athena inspires clever Odysseus looks “And out he stalked as a mountain Nausicaa, King terrifying after his lion exultant in his power strides Alcinous’s quick-thinking battle with the sea; he through wind and rain and his eyes daughter, to go must figure out how to blaze and he charges over sheep or with her maidens strategic approach the princess oxen or chases wild deer but his to do laundry at in such a way that she hunger drives him on to go for the river. There, wants to help him. flocks, even to raid the she finds best-defended homestead…” Odysseus and (2.142-147). encourages him to come back to “Here I am at your mercy, the palace. princess--are you a goddess or a mortal? … I have never laid eyes on anyone like you, neither man or woman… I look at you and a sense of wonder takes me” (2.175-177).
In the space below, explain how Odysseus is a complex character.
Odysseus, clever and strategic, knows how to get what he wants. He realizes that the Phaeacians are the one who can outfit him with a ship and crew to finally get back to Ithaca. He is willing to flirt a little with the princess, appealing to her youth and naivety in order to win an audience with her father the king.
Grade 9: The Odyssey
Characters and MotivationsBook Eight
As you read Book Eight, record the major descriptions, actions, motivations, and key quotations of Odysseus.
Description of Character Traits Key Quotations Actions and Motivations Episode that Reveal Character Traits
Demodocus, the strategic Odysseus responds to “That was the song the famous bard, sings of the bard’s songs about harper sang but Odysseus, clutching tales of the Trojan emotional Troy by weeping heavily his flaring sea-blue cape in both War at the king’s and hiding his face. powerful hands, drew it over his feast. maudlin head and buried his handsome face, ashamed his host might see him shedding tears...” (2.99-103).
Broadsea, an cocky Odysseus first declines “You’re a reckless fool… So, the gods athletic champion, but then decides to don’t hand out all their gifts at once, urges Laodamas, athletic compete when not build and brains and flowing one of the king’s Laodamas questions speech to all… you rouse my sons, to challenge strong his athletic ability. fighting blood!” (2.192-194, 215). Odysseus in a contest. “Up he sprang, cloak and all, and seized a discus, huge and heavy, more weighty by far than those the Phaeacians used to hurl and test each other” (2.216-218).
Odysseus offers manipulative Even though Odysseus “Sing of the wooden horse Epeus the bard a piece asked to hear about built with Athena’s help, the cunning of choice meat to attention-seeki Troy, he responds by trap that good Odysseus brought sing about the ng sobbing heavily again. one day to the heights of Troy” Trojan Horse.. (2.552-554). It appears that his goal is to get King Alcinous “great Odysseus melted into tears, to ask why he is so running down from his eyes to wet emotional. his cheeks...as a woman weeps…” (2.584-588).
Grade 9: The Odyssey
In the space below, explain how Odysseus is a complex character.
Odysseus cannot resist bragging about himself or showing off his athletic prowess. His display at the end of Book Eight seems very calculated, but it is effective.
Grade 9: The Odyssey