The Odyssey

Page 858

1.      Name the approximate year in which Homer was born. (Knowledge)

2.      Identify the two most famous works attributed to Homer. (Knowledge)

3.      Based on context clues, Determine the meaning of the word “Antiquity.” (Evaluation)

4.      List an English word that comes from a Greek myth. (Knowledge)

5.      Explain the part of language called an “appositive.”  Explain an “appositive phrase.” (Comprehension)

6.      Breakdown the difference between a restrictive and a non-restrictive appositive. (Analysis)

Page 859

7.      The theme in The Odyssey is that of a hero working through his many struggles during a long journey to reach his goal (returning to his home in Ithaca). Contemplate and Explain why returning to one's home and loved-ones is a goal worth fighting for. (Comprehension)

8.      Identify the war that The Odyssey focuses on. (Knowledge)

9.      Explain how the Greeks tricked the Trojans and won the Trojan War. (Comprehension).

10.   Determine the best way to read a story written in verse, and Explain your reading strategy.(Evaluation, Comprehension).

11.   Determine the qualities that an Epic Hero possesses. List a few examples of Epic Heroes that you have seen in your favorite movies or television shows. (Evaluation, Knowledge)

Page 860

12.   Explain what or who is a “Muse.” (Comprehension)

13.  Survey and Explain the location of the city of Troy. (Analysis, Comprehension).

14.  Explain the meaning of the word “plundered.” Recall and List what Odysseus has plundered. (Comprehension, Knowledge)

15.  Identify the person to whom Odysseus tells his story. (Knowledge)

16.  Contemplate and Explain who Odysseus is (besides the main character of the story). (Comprehension)

17.  Identify and Explain the character Calypso. (Knowledge, Comprehension)

18.  Identify the “enchantress” who helps Odysseus. In your own words, Classify an “enchantress.” (Knowledge, Evaluation)

19.  Identify the “King of the Gods.” (Knowledge)

20.  Identify the god of music, poetry and medicine. (Knowledge)

21.  Identify the king and leader of the Greek military forces. (Knowledge)

22.  Name the god who controls the sea and earthquakes. (Knowledge)

23.  Name the goddess of warfare. List what else she is the goddess of. (Knowledge)

24.  Identify Polyphemus. (Knowledge)

25.  Name Odysseus's father. (Knowledge)

26.  Explain who Zeus's father is. (Comprehension)

27.   List two members of Odysseus's crew. (Knowledge)

28.  Recall and Write the name of Odysseus and Penelope's son. (Knowledge)

29.  Explain what Scylla and Charybdis are. (Comprehension)

30.  Identify  and Explain  who the Sirens are. (Knowledge, Comprehension)

31.  Define  “suitor.” Identify the leader of the suitors. (Comprehension, Knowledge)

32.  In your own words, Breakdown why Odysseus and his men are being punished. (Analysis)

Page 863

33.   Recall where Odysseus was before he arrived in Phaeacia, and Repeat, in your words, what he tells King Alcinous that he is famous for. (Knowledge)

34.  Deduce why Odysseus says that he was held captive by the goddesses Calypso and Circe, and Recall what he says in his defense. (Analysis, Knowledge)

35.  Find and List what Odysseus says that he and his men did when they reached the coast of Cicones during their journey home. (Knowledge)

Page 864

36.  Odysseus says his men became “mutinous” while on the coast of Cicones. Define “mutinous.” List the type of things the men did. (Comprehension, Knowledge)

37.   List what the Cicones do to many of Odysseus's men. (Knowledge)

38.  Define “squalls.” Identify who sends them towards Odysseus. (Comprehension, Knowledge)

39.  Find and Write the number of days that Odysseus and his men are stuck on the island after the storms. (Knowledge)

40.  Recall how many days Odysseus and his men sailed before reaching the coastline of the Lotus Eaters. (Knowledge)

Page 865

41.  Identify what Odysseus sends two scouts to look for. Explain why they never return to report back to Odysseus. (Knowledge, Comprehension)

42.  Assess and Judge what Odysseus does with the three men who get addicted to the lotus flower. Repeat what Odysseus tells his men. (Evaluation, Knowledge)

43.  Literary Focus: Generate a list of the characteristics of a hero and leader that Odysseus shows in the episode with the Lotus Eaters. (Synthesis)

Page 866

44.  Explain what “Cyclopes” are. List other places where you've seen this word. (Comprehension, Knowledge)

45.  Appraise the way in which the Cyclopes live their lives. Contemplate how this is different from the how the Greeks, or even we, today, live our lives. (Evaluation, Comprehension)

46.  List what Odysseus and his men discover near the mainland. What is there inside?  Explain why these things would be beneficial to Odysseus and his men. (Knowledge, Comprehension)

47.  Explain what type of man Odysseus and his crew see sleeping in the cavern. After Odysseus leaves his men with the ship, Recall how many of his fighters does he take with him. (Comprehension, Knowledge)

48.  Identify what Odysseus has a goatskin full of, and Explain why he has it. (Knowledge, Comprehension)

Page 867

49.  Describe what Odysseus and his men find when the reach the home of the Cyclops. (Knowledge)

50.  Assess why Odysseus does not want to steal all of the Cyclops' stuff and take off in the ships, and Determine whether you would have made the same decision. (Evaluation)

51.  After milking the female sheep, what does the giant Cyclops do to the cave entrance? Explain what this means for Odysseus and his men. (Comprehension)

Page 868

52.  Breakdown the way in which Polyphemus discovers Odysseus and his man. Identify the reason that Odysseus says that Polyphemus must give his men gifts. (Analysis)

53.  Explain how Polyphemus and other cyclops like him feel about the gods. Assess why they feel this way, and Develop an explanation as to why. (Comprehension, Evaluation, Synthesis)

54.  Recall what Odysseus tells Polyphemus regarding what happened to his ship. (Knowledge)

Page 869

55.  Explain what Polyphemus does to two of Odysseus's men. (Comprehension)

56.  Identify the reason that Odysseus and his men are trapped inside of the Cyclops' cave. (Knowledge)

57.  Recall and List what Polyphemus eats for the breakfast the next morning. (Knowledge)

58.  Name the item that Odysseus gives to the cyclops, Polyphemus. (Knowledge)

59.  After getting Polyphemus drunk, what does Odysseus say that his name is? Deduce the reason that Odysseus says this. (Analysis)

60.  Explain what Odysseus and his men use the burnt tree trunk to do. (Comprehension)

61.  Name the person whom the Cyclops screams for after having his eye torn out. (Knowledge)

62.  Explain the trick that Odysseus has played on Polyphemus, and why none of the other cyclops help him out. (Comprehension)

63.  Identify the father of Polyphemus that the other cyclops say he must pray to? Predict what you think his father will want to do to Odysseus because of this? Why? (Knowledge, Application)

64.  Describe what Odysseus and his men hide themselves in so they can escape from the cyclops, Polyphemus? (Knowledge)

Page 873

65.  Identify why Polyphemus thinks that his best ram is moving so slow? Infer why the ram really is moving slowly? (Knowledge, Comprehension)

Page 874

66.  Name who Odysseus says is responsible for the bad things that happened to Polyphemus? Justify why this character should be angry with Polyphemus? (Knowledge, Evaluation)

67.  Describe what Polyphemus throws at Odysseus's ship? Infer why the men tell Odysseus to stop taunting him? (Knowledge, Analysis)

Page 875

68.  Identify who Polyphemus says he will have become friends with Odysseus if he comes back? How does Odysseus respond to this offer? Evaluate Odysseus’s response. Is this a good response? Why or why not? (Knowledge, Evaluation)

Page 876

69.  Explain what does Polyphemus prays for Poseidon to do? Predict how Poseidon will respond to the prayers of Polyphemus. (Synthesis, Evaluation)

70.  Describe what Odysseus does with the sheep? Identify why he does this for Zeus? How does Zeus respond? How would you judge the actions of Zeuz? (Knowledge, Comprehension, Evaluation)

Page 877: Land of the Dead

71.  Describe the gift that Odysseus and his men are given as a gift from Aeolia's king, King Aeolus? What happens when they open it on their way home? Explain the way King Aeolus responds to this? Do you support his reaction? Why or why not? (Knowledge, Comprehension, Evaluation)

72.  Describe the Laestrygonians? Describe what these people do? Assess the amount of damage they inflict onto Odysseus and his men? (Comprehension, Evaluation)

73.  Identify who Circe was? Describe her. Where does she tell Odysseus that he and his men must go in order to reach home? Who must he talk to? (Knowledge, Comprehension)

74.  Name what the enchantress, Circe, provides for Odysseus and his men as they leave her island? Assess and justify the value of this item. (Knowledge, Evaluation)

Page 878

75.  When Odysseus and his men land at the Land of the Dead and set up campfire, Odysseus pours out libations on the ground for all of his dead friends. Relate this practice to a modern ceremony for the dead. How are they the same? How are they different. What are “libations”? Why is he pouring them out? (Synthesis)

76.  Critical Viewing: What can you infer about ancient Greek beliefs about death and the afterlife from the text and the illustration on page 878? (Comprehension)

Page 879

77.  When Odysseus makes his sacrifices, describe what begins to rise from the ground? (Comprehension)

78.  When Odysseus's former soldier, Elpenor, rises from the dead, how does he tell Odysseus that he died? What does he ask Odysseus to do for him? Explain why Elpenor would make this request. (Comprehension)

Page 880

79.  Identify who Odysseus sees the spirit of rise from the ground before he meets Tiresias? Was this person alive when he first left Ithaca for Troy? How does Odysseus respond to this event? How would you react to this if you were Odysseus? Compare and contrast your reaction to that of Odysseus. (Knowledge, Evaluation)

80.  Identify what Tiberius asks to taste before he will speak to Odysseus? (Knowledge)

81.  Identify the character Tiberius tells Odysseus is trying to destroy him. Where does Tiberius tell Odysseus he must go? What does he tell him he must avoid? Predict what will happen to Odysseus and his men once they reach this destination. (Knowledge, Evaluation)

Page 881

82.  Explain what Tiberius tells Odysseus he must do when he returns home to Ithaca? Predict what Odysseus will do to these people? (Comprehension, Evaluation)

Page 882: The Sirens

83.  Identify who Odysseus goes back to visit? Describe some of the dangers she warns him about that he will encounter on his trip? (Knowledge, Comprehension)

84.  Describe what Odysseus tells the men they must do to him as they pass by the Sirens? Describe what the crew must do for themselves? Evaluate the effectiveness of this plan. (Knowledge, Evaluation)

Page 883

85.  Identify what Odysseus puts in his men's ears so they will not hear the Sirens? (Knowledge)

86.  Summarize the events of the Odyssey up until this point. (Evaluation)

87.  Evaluate Odysseus as a person. What are some of the actions he has taken so far that you agree with? What are some actions you disagree with? Explain. (Evaluation, Comprehension)

Page 884

88.  What does Odysseus ask his men to do for him? Describe how they respond? (Comprehension)

Page 885

89.  Scylla is a giant sea monster and Charybdis is a giant whirlpool. Why does Odysseus tell the men not to worry about either challenge? Evaluate how this would make Odysseus look as a leader. (Evaluation)

Page 886

90.  State how many of Odysseus's men Scylla kills? (Knowledge)

Page 887: The Cattle of the Sun God

91.  Explain causes Odysseus and his men to be stranded on the island with Helios cattle? What does Odysseus tell them they must not do or they will be punished? What is Helios the god of? (Comprehension)

Page 888

92.  Describe how one of the sailors, Eurylochus, tries to convince the others to eat Helios' cattle? Do you justify his reasoning? (Knowledge, Evaluation)

93.  What does Eurylochus suggest they do when they return home to Ithaca? Predict whether or not this will be enough to keep Helios and the other gods from punishing them? (Evaluation)

Page 889

94.  What does Odysseus accuse the gods of making him do? Why did they do this? Summarize all the difficulties the gods have caused him up until this point. (Synthesis)

95.  Describe how Helios finds out that his cattle has been eaten? (Knowledge)

96.  What does Helios demand happens? What does Helios threaten to do if he does not get his way? Analyze the effect this would have on ancient people and predict some of the possible negative outcomes. (Analysis, Evaluation)

Page 890

97.  Identify how many of the men survive the lightning bolt that Zeus strikes the ship with? (Knowledge)

98.  Describe what Odysseus is sucked into? Identify what he grabs on to that prevents him from falling in?

Page 892

99.  Identify what Odysseus waits for to come back out of the whirlpool? (Knowledge)

100.    Identify what Odysseus paddles past? Who prevents him from being seen? (Knowledge)

101.    Summarize the encounter that Odysseus and his men had with Scylla and Charibdis. (Evaluation)

102.    Identify whose island Odysseus washes up on? (Knowledge)

103.    Compare and contrast the peril of the Sirens and the peril of the Lotus-Eaters. (Evaluation)

Page 895: Part 2 / The Return of Odysseus's

104.    Calculate how much time has passed before Odysseus returns home to Ithaca? (Analysis)

105.    Identify the character who tells Odysseus about the suitors. Who are the suitors plotting to kill? Explain why. (Knowledge)

106.    Explain  the disguise that Athena creates for Odysseus. (Comprehension)

107.    Identify  and Explain the character Eumaeus. (Knowledge, Comprehension)

Page 895

108.    Identify the character to whom Odysseus must expose himself, and Explain what they must do together. (Knowledge, Comprehension)

109.    Break down and Explain the mistake Telemachus makes in identifying his father after Odysseus changes his appearance. (Analysis, Comprehension)

110.    Deduce the reason that Telemachus does not believe that Odysseus is his father. (Analysis)

111.    Literary Focus: Develop an explanation, in your own words, of the comparison made in the epic simile in lines 1063-1065. (Synthesis)

112.    Identify who Odysseus credits with bringing him home. Recall what they gave him, and also what Odysseus did with it. (Knowledge)

113.    Scrutinize and Explain what Odysseus asks Telemachus to do. (Analysis, Comprehension)

Page 899

114.    Repeat what Telemachus tells Odysseus regarding the number of suitors and their chances of defeating them. (Knowledge)

115.    Explain why Odysseus tells Telemachus not to worry. (Comprehension)

116.    Summarize the plan that Odysseus presents to Telemachus. (Synthesis)

117.    Recall what Odysseus says about the women in his home. (Knowledge)

Page 901: Argus

118.    Define who or what is Argus. (Comprehension)

119.    Explain what Odysseus does when he realizes that Argus recognizes him. (Comprehension)

120.    Identiy Antinous, and also Identify what he refuses to give Odysseus (who is disguised as a beggar). Assess Odysseus's response to this. (Knowledge, Evaluation)

121.    Recall what Antinous throws at Odysseus while Odysseus is disguised as a beggar. (Knowledge)

122.    Determine why one of the other suitors tells Antinous that he should not harm “the old man.” (Evaluation)

Page 904

123.    Explain why Penelope (wife of Odysseus) wants to make sure that she talks to the beggar (actually Odysseus). (Comprehension)

124.    Recall the first thing that Penelope asks the old beggar. (Knowledge)

125.    Identify what Penelope says was “soon lost or faded” after Odysseus first left for Troy. (Knowledge)

Page 906

126.    Assess how Penelope has kept from having to get married for as long as she has. (Evaluation)

127.    When he is described as the beggar, summarize what Odysseus tells Penelope. (Synthesis)

Page 907: The Challenge

128.    Define what Penelope say one of the suitors must be able to do before she will marry him? (Knowledge)

129.    Identify who Odysseus hears after he strings the bow? What does this let him know? (Knowledge)

Page 908

130.    Critical Viewing: The winner of the archery contest will win Penelope's hand in marriage. How does describe the artist capture the tension in the scene on page 908? (Comprehension)

Page 909

131.    Identify what Telemachus puts on after Odysseus shoots the arrow through the ax handle sockets? (Knowledge)

Page 910: Odysseus’s Revenge

132.    Where does Odysseus hit Antinous with the arrow? What was Antinous doing at the time? How do the other suitors respond? How would you judge Odysseus for doing this? Explain. (Evaluation)

133.    Identify where the suitors' weapons are? (Knowledge)

134.    Define what the word “contempt” means? (Knowledge)

Page 911

135.    What does Eurymachus say that he and the suitors will do for Odysseus if he spares their lives? How does Odysseus respond? How much do you think Odysseus values this offer? Why? Explain. (Evaluation)

136.    Describe what Odysseus is doing that is preventing the men from leaving the room they are in. What does Eurymachus tell the other men to do? Sketch a diagram of the room. (Comprehension, Application)

Page 912

137.    Describe what happens to Eurymachus? (Comprehension)

138.    Identify who Telemachus kills? What does he use? (Knowledge)

139.    What does Telemachus go and get? Who does he arm with weapons? Predict what will happen next. (Evaluation)

Page 913

140.    Critical Viewing: Do you think the fight against the suitors was a fair fight? Why or why not? How would you judge Odysseus if he were in a court of law? Were his actions justified? Explain. (Evaluation)

Page 914: Penelope’s Test

141.    Literary Focus: Explain how the epic similes in lines 1535-15390 help you to picture the scene in your imagination? (Comprehension)

142.    Describe what Athena does for Odysseus? (Comprehension)

Page 915

143.    Paraphrase what Odysseus describes to Penelope that finally causes her to believe Odysseus is really her husband? (Comprehension)

Page 916

144.    Who is Odysseus reunited with? Describe Athena’s command? (Knowledge)

145.    Do you think Odysseus' revenge is justified? Why or why not? Explain. (Evaluation)

Page 917

146.    List Odysseus' reasons for killing all the suitors? (Knowledge)

147.    Since Odysseus has abandoned his disguise, infer why Penelope still needs to test him? (Analysis)

148.    Evaluate: Does Odysseus' success in the contest show that he is a skilled archer or merely that he has a god on his side? Support your answer. (Evaluation)

149.    Compare justice at the hands of Odysseus with justice in modern society. (Analysis)

150.    Explain the meaning of an epic simile. (Comprehension)

151.    Identify what the Latin root, - equi-, mean? (Knowledge)

152.    Select the proper word: fill in the blank – Two nickels are _______ to a dime. (Knowledge)

153.    Select the proper word: fill in the blank – At the ______________, the day and the night are of the same duration. (Knowledge)