The Odyssey Study Guide PART 2 COMING HOME p. 928 1. In Book 13 how does Odysseus return home?

? How is he disguised? Secretly returns in a magically swift Phaeacian ship disguised as a beggar. 2. In Book 14 who does Odysseus go to first when he returns home? Eumaeus 3. In Book 15 what are we told about Telemachus? He seeks out old comrades of his father to see if he can learn of his whereabouts but is advised by Athena to return home. THE MEETING OF FATHER AND SON pp. 929-931 1. How does the swineherd treat Telemachus? He treats him as a long lost son returns and greets him with kisses and tears. How does Telemachus treat the swineherd? Calls him uncle and seeks him first upon his return 2. In lines 979-990 what important Greek value does Telemachuss and Eumaeuss treatment of the unknown beggar reveal? Their courteous and respectful treatment show how the Greeks value hospitality. 3. When Athena causes Odysseus disguise to disappear, what does Telemachus think? He thinks he is a god and is afraid 4. In lines 1029-1033 to what are the cries of Odysseus and Telemachus compared? The cries of a hawk whose young have been stolen from the nest THE BEGGAR AND THE FAITHFUL DOG pp. 932-934 1. How is Argos described? Treated as rubbish, laying on a mass of dung, abandoned, half destroyed with flies. How does this description make you feel? Sad about his condition and angry about his neglect 2. In lines 1053-1055 what does this scene reveal about Odysseus character? He is a sensitive man, but he also has the strength to hide his true feelings; selfcontrol 3. What happens to Argos? He recognizes his masters voice, wags his tail, greets him and dies. 4. On books 18-19 what does the stranger tell Penelope? He says he has news of her husband. He spins a tale and pretends to have met Odysseus in his travels and praises the lost hero. 5. How does Eurycleia recognize Odysseus? When she goes to wash his feet, she recognizes a scar on his leg. 6. Why do you think Odysseus does not reveal his identity to Penelope yet? He is afraid that she may not believe him and that she may spoil the plan he has for vanquishing the suitors. THE TEST OF THE GREAT BOW pp. 936-940 1. In lines 1097-1099 why is Penelope crying? Seeing Odysseus bow makes her miss him even more; allowing others to handle it makes her feel she has given up waiting; or one of the suitors may be successful. 2. What test does Penelope set before the suitors? The impossible task of stringing Odysseus bow then send an arrow through 12 iron ax-helve sockets in line 3. What is the internal conflict Odysseus faces in lines 1126-1128? He doesnt know whether to reveal himself and whom he can trust.

4. In lines 1140-1145 why does Odysseus decide to reveal his identity to the 2 men
now? Their prayers to the gods convince him that they are sincere; he needs their help to carry out his plan against the suitors. 5. What does Odysseus promise the 2 men if they help him? Marriages, houses, and cattle 6. How does Odysseus prove to the 2 men that he is who he says he is? By the scar from the tusk wound he received hunting on Parnassus 7. In lines 1164-1174 what does Odysseus plan to do to vanquish the suitors? Remove all their weapons and lock the doors; do not open them even upon request. 8. In lines 1174-1179 what do Odysseuss actions here suggest about his state of mind? He is calm, focused under pressure on the task at hand. 9. In lines 1188-192 what is Odysseus stringing the bow compared to? Like a musician, harper, who strings his instrument 10. How do the suitors react when Odysseus strings the bow? They were hushed and their faces changed. Zeus? He thundered and sent one loud crack as an omen. 11. What are some auditory images in lines 1192-1207? Hummed and sang a swallows note, hushed hall, Zeus thundered overhead, one loud crack, twanging bow, thud with heavy brazen head beyond DEATH AT THE PALACE pp. 941-943 1. Who did Odysseus kill first? Antinous Why? He was the ringleader, meanest, hit Odysseus with a stool and ridiculed him calling him names 2. What does Eurymachus say which proves he is quick-thinking and clever? He tries to bribe Odysseus into saving himself and others by offering restitution of wine and food and gifts of 20 oxen, gold and bronze 3. What two things has Odysseus done that makes it nearly impossible for the suitors to fight their way out or run for it? Had weapons removed and doors locked Is this a fair fight? 4. To what are Odysseus and his men compared to in lines 1293-1303? The dread shimmering gadfly; falcons sweeping down from their high nests to attach their prey 5. Does the suitors punishment fit the crime? Explain 6. What does this bloody scene add to the epics theme about the value of hospitality and about what happens to people who mock divine laws? In ancient Greece the suitors have mocked the divine laws of hospitality and are being punished for not valuing same ODYSSEUS AND PENELOPE pp. 944-947 1. Do you think the maids punishment fits their crime, or is it excessive? Explain. Either no, the ancient Greeks betrayal of loyalty was very serious; or yes, they were coerced by the suitors and shouldnt have been held accountable 2. What is Penelopes reaction to Odysseus return? She suspects a trick from the gods and decides to test him Why? 3. What test does Penelope give to make sure Odysseus is who he says he is? She tests him by insinuating that his/their bed has been moved 4. What was the process by which Odysseus built the bed? He laid out the bedroom around the trunk of a rooted olive tree, constructing the walls, roof and

doorway. Then he removed the branches from the tree, carved the stump into a bedpost, modeled the other posts after it, and inlaid it with silver, gold, and ivory, and stretched strips of oxhide thongs between the posts. 5. In lines 1388-1392 what do Penelopes physical sensations suggest she is feeling? Convinced that he is Odysseus; flooded with relief and joy that her husband has returned after a 20 year wait. 6. The journey ends with an embrace. What simile helps you understand the joy Odysseus feels in the arms of his wife? The joy a nearly drowning soldier feels on reaching land at last.