The Adventures of Odysseus – Part 2
How did Odysseus get home?
What is happening with Penelope (his wife)?
What is happening with Telemachus (his son)?
Who disguises Odysseus as a beggar?
Why do you think Odysseus first appears as a beggar?
“Twenty Years Gone” pp. 895-901
Setting:
Characters:
How does Athena transform Odysseus?
What happens when Odysseus reveals himself to Telemachus?
Does Athena want to glorify Odysseus or “bring him low”? Why?
How many suitors are there at Odysseus’ home?
Why does Odysseus believe that he and Telemachus will be able to defeat the suitors?
What does Odysseus tell Telemachus to do to prepare for battle?
How is Telemachus to justify his actions to the suitors?
Why is Telemachus not to tell anyone that Odysseus has returned?
“Argus” pp. 901-902
Paraphrase this section of the text. Please ask your teacher for the handout on which to complete your work. Work
individually.
“The Suitors” pp. 902-904
Setting:
Characters:
Summary:
“Penelope” pp. 904-906
Setting:
Characters:
Summary:
“The Challenge” pp. 907-909
Setting:
Characters:
Events
Response Questions: USE COMPLETE SENTENCES.
1. How would you react if you were in a Telemachus’ or Penelope’s place? What does this reveal about their
characters?
2. Is Argus’ death when Odysseus returns a coincidence? Explain how it contributes to the plot of the story and to the
theme of the story.
3. An epic simile is an elaborate simile that compares two unlike like ideas or objects. What is being compared in the
following epic simile?
Salt tears/rose from the wells of longing in both men,/and cries burst from both as keen and fluttering/as
those of the great taloned hawk,/whose nestlings farmers take before they fly.
4. Why do you think Odysseus chooses not to reveal his identity to his wife?
“Odysseus’ Revenge” pp. 910-914
Setting:
Characters:
Events
“Penelope’s Test” (pp. 914-916)
Setting:
Characters:
Events
Response Questions
5. Do you think Odysseus’ revenge is justified? Why or why not?
6. What does Odysseus mean in “The Challenge” when he says, “The hour has come to cook their lordships’ mutton-/supper by daylight”?
7. What is Odysseus’ reasons for slaying all of the suitors?
8. Since Odysseus has abandoned his disguise, why does Penelope still need to test him?
9. Describe the mood of the scene at the end of “Penelope’s Test.” Is it altogether happy or does it include some
sadness? Explain.
10. Compare justice at the hands of Odysseus with justice in a modern society.