Odyssey Log
You are about to embark upon your own hero’s journey by engaging with the
challenging text of Homer’s The Odyssey. This “map” is designed to aid you in
your understanding and analysis of the text. The complete log is due
_________________.
Part I: Daily Reading Guide and Discussion Questions
During/after each night’s reading complete the following questions/fill-inthe-blanks and devise 1 discussion question per book (chapter). I will
check these as homework each day.
We will use these questions to
springboard our daily discussions.
Book 1: Athena Inspires the Prince
1. Book One begins with an invocation to the ___________ of poetry.
2. At this time, Odysseus is a captive of the nymph ____________.
3. Poseidon carried a grudge against Odysseus because he had blinded the
Cyclops, _____________.
4. The epithet which describes Athena is ___________________.
5. After obtaining Zeus’ permission to help Odysseus, Athena suggests sending
Hermes to tell the nymph to release him. Then, disguised as a warrior, she
visits Odysseus’ son, ______________.
6. Athena advises Odysseus’ son to _____________ the suitors and to sail for
______________.
7. Telemachus learns that his advisor is a deity when she _____________.
8. What or who is Athena disguised as?
9. Why do Telemachus and his mother need Odysseus?
10. Why does Odysseus's wife have suitors?
Discussion
Question:______________________________________________________________________
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Book 2: Telemachus Sets Sail
1. Telemachus calls for a full ______ of the citizens to present his complaints
against the suitors.
2. He is answered by ________, who says the one to blame is _________.
3. Penelope has tricked the suitors by saying she will marry when she has
finished weaving a shroud for Laertes, but each night she _______________.
4. Zeus sends a sign to support Telemachus; the sign is a pair of ___________.
[Note Foreshadowing]
5. Telemachus agrees that if he learns Odysseus is really dead, he will return
and _____________________.
6. What specifically does Athena do to help Telemachus in this book?
Discussion
Question:______________________________________________________________________
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Book 3: King Nestor Remembers
1. When Telemachus reaches ______________, _______________ tells him that after
the victory at Troy, the Achaeans argued among themselves, some sailing for
home and some staying behind.
2. Those who set sail also quarreled, and ____________ returned to Agamemnon
and the others who had stayed behind.
3. When Telemachus says that his father is undoubtedly dead, Mentor/
__________, enters the conversation to suggest that Odysseus may have met a
happier fate than ________, who returned to his home only to be murdered by
____________ and ______________.
4. Nestor tells the story of this murder, and he says that afterwards the
murderer ruled for seven years, until he and Clytemnestra were both killed by
Agamemnon’s son, ______________.
5. At the end of the ceremony, Athena leaves them, taking the form of a
___________, and all know that Telemachus is being assisted by the gods.
6. What is Nestor's opinion of Odysseus?
7. Describe Nestor's reaction when he realizes that Telemachus's companion is
Athena.
Discussion
Question:______________________________________________________________________
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Book 4: The King and Queen of Sparta
1. After feasting, Menelaus tells Telemachus and Nestor’s son that in spite of
his wealth he has suffered much anguish. He mentions three sorrows; one cause
of his sorrow is _______________.
2. The cause of the Trojan War, _____________, joins the group and all shed
tears of Odysseus.
3. Later, ____________ drugs the wine with a mixture to prevent sadness, and
stories are told of the cleverness and blondness of Odysseus.
4. In the morning, Menelaus tells what he knows of Odysseus: Menelaus and his
men were stranded on the island ___________ until the goddess Eidothea told
them what they must do to get favorable winds.
5. They had to catch and hold onto a sea-god, _____________, through he might
change shapes many times, until he tells them how to win the gods’ favor.
6. They disguised themselves as ________________ and waited for the sea-god to
fall asleep.
7. They learned they must return to _______________ and make a proper sacrifice
to Zeus before they would be granted passage home.
8. The sea-god revealed that Odysseus was ___________________.
9. After the end of Menelaus’ story, Homer reveals that the suitors back in
Ithaca, learning about Telemachus’ actions, plan to _______________.
10. What clues cue Menelaus and Helen that Telemachus is Odysseus's son?
11. What is Menelaus' opinion of Odysseus?
Discussion
Question:______________________________________________________________________
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Book 5: Odysseus—Nymph and Shipwreck
1. Calypso had been instructed to release Odysseus; his journey, however, will
not be easy. Before he leaves, Calypso offers to make him immortal. Why does
Odysseus refuse?
2. Odysseus makes Calypso swear a solemn oath not to _____________.
3. When Poseidon, who is called the ______________, sees Odysseus nearing the
shore, he causes a great wave to rise to attack him.
4. Odysseus is saved by a sea-nymph called _______________, who gives him a
magic ___________, which keeps him afloat and saves him from drowning.
5. It is ______________who breaks down the waves in front of Odysseus and keeps
him from being torn apart on the rocks.
6. Odysseus tosses about on the rolling waves for ___ nights and ____ days,
until he reaches land where he can rest.
7. Who is Hermes, and what is his mission?
8. What is Calypso's reaction to having to let Odysseus go?
9. What is the main problem Odysseus faces while traveling by sea?
Discussion
Question:______________________________________________________________________
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Book 6: The Princess and the Stranger
1. Odysseus is found by _________, who has been encouraged by Athena to go to
the riverside.
2. Odysseus’ first thought is that the girls are _____________.
3. Why is Nausicaa the least afraid?
4. An example of the law of hospitality is shown when Nausicaa tells Odysseus
that he will not lack of __________________.
5. What makes Nausicaa decide that Odysseus is favored by the gods?
6. The Phaeacians care more for their _________ than for their ___________.
7. Nausicaa does not want to be seen walking to town with Odysseus because she
fears ___________________.
8. What "subliminal" message does Athena give to Nausicaa while she lies
sleeping?
9. Is it pure luck that Nausicaa helps Odysseus? Explain.
10. What does the fact that Odysseus won't bathe in front of the girls tell us
about the kind of person he is?
11. Does Nausicaa believe her parents will help Odysseus?
12. What instructions does she give Odysseus?
Discussion
Question:______________________________________________________________________
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Book 7: Phaiacia’s Halls and Gardens
1. What was Poseidon’s gift to the Phaiacians?
2. Nausithous, Alcinous’ father, is the son of _______________.
3. Nausicaa’s mother, Alcinous’ wife, is named _________________.
4. Odysseus appeals first to _______________ and begs to be taken to his home
in Ithaca.
5. Why do the Phaeacians first tip a few drops of wine into their cups and then
pour this wine on the ground?
6. Odysseus tells the king and queen about his captivity on Calypso’s island,
which had occurred after Zeus had struck his ship with a _____________ and all
his men had drowned.
7. Odysseus tells them he had been the captive of the goddess for ______ years.
8. Poseidon has a close relationship with the people of Phaeacia. If these
people help one of Poseidon’s bitterest enemies, Odysseus, what do you think
will happen?
9. What craft are the Phaiacians best known for?
10. How is Odysseus treated as a guest?
Discussion
Question:______________________________________________________________________
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Book 8: A Day for Songs and Contests
1. While ships are readied for Odysseus, there is a feast where the bard sings
the world’s most famous tales; one tale recounts the quarrel between Achilles
and ________.
2. After the feast, there are games, including a footrace, wrestling, jumping,
and boxing. Odysseus is finally goaded into competition; the event he entered
was _____________.
3. Evidence of Odysseus’ famed cleverness, one of the reasons the goddess
Athena especially admires him, appears when he says only a fool who competing
in games in a foreign land would set out to rival his ___________.
4. More music and dancing follows. The bard sings the story of the love affair
between the god of war, Ares, and the goddess of beauty, ___________.
5. As a gift of apology, Odysseus is given a sword of bronze with an ivory
sheath by ____________, who had been rude to him.
6. The bard then sings the songs of the wooden _____________ of Troy, a
strategy that Odysseus had devised.
7. King Alcinous tells Odysseys of a prophecy he had heard from his father,
King Nausithous. The god ___________________ would one day become angry at the
Phaeacians because they gave hospitality too freely and lavishly. This god
would smash a ship and throw a ring of mountains around their city.
8. Homer, the author, was a bard and would have lived very much like
__________, King Alcinous’ minstrel.
9. How is King Alcinous helping Odysseus to get home?
10. What is Odysseus's reaction whenever Demodocus sings about the Trojan War?
Discussion
Question:______________________________________________________________________
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Book 9: In the One-eyed Giant’s Cave
1. Revealing his identity to his Phaeacian hosts; Odysseus he is son of ________.
2. The first stop Odysseus and his men made after leaving Troy was the Isle of
Ismarus, the land of the people called Cicones. This stop costs him the lives
of _____ men from each of his twelve ships.
3. After a storm caused by an angry Zeus, the ships came to the land of the
__________, and Odysseus had to put his men under benches in the ships to save
them,
4. Next, they came to the land of the Cyclops. Odysseus called the Cylops
________________________.
5. In order to escape from the cave of Polyphemus, they blinded the giant and
then hid underneath __________________.
6. Polyphemus was unable to get help and was ridiculed by his neighbors when he
shouted that “___________________” had hurt him.
7. As they sailed away, Odysseus could not resist the urge to reveal his name;
unwisely, he also told Polyphemus he wished he had killed him and sent him to
hell. As a result, Polyphemus prayed to his father, ____________, who was
already angry with Odysseus, to assure that Odysseus and his men never reach
home alive. If destiny willed that they reach their homes, he asked that it not
be without many long years of suffering.
8. What was the effect of the Lotus plant?
9. How heavy is the door of the Cyclops' cave?
10. What is the first villainous thing the Cyclops does?
11. Why doesn't Odysseus kill the Cyclops when he has the chance?
12. What does Odysseus give the Cyclops as a gift?
13. What gift does the Cyclops give in return?
14. What did a soothsayer once predict would happen to the Cyclops?
Discussion
Question:______________________________________________________________________
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Book 10: The Bewitching Queen of Aeaea
1. After the Cyclops, Odysseus and his men came to the island of King Aeolus,
who gave him a bag containing all the bad _________ that might hamper his
progress.
2. In sight of Ithaca, Odysseus’ men, thinking the bag contained treasures,
opened it while he was asleep, and they were driven back to the island of
Aeolus. How did the king receive their second request for help?
3. Odysseus lost ____ ships at the land inhabited by cannibals who were called
___________. (you must infer the number of ships based on previous book)
4. Next, he and his remaining men reached the Island of Aiaia, the home of the
goddess ________________.
5. The party of men sent to explore the island was turned into _______________
by the goddess.
6. With the help of the god, ____________, Odysseus was able to rescue his men.
7. After a year’s stay as Circe’s lover, Odysseus yields to his men’s desires
to continue their journey. First, however, he is sent to the Underworld to
consult the seer named ______________.
Discussion
Question:______________________________________________________________________
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Book 11: The Kingdom of the Dead
1.
In the Underworld, Odysseus followed Circe’s instructions carefully.
dead gathered around the pit. Dead animals were an offering to Hades and
____________, the god and goddess of the Underworld.
2. Odysseus met three dead souls: Elpenor, his mother, and the Theben
seer________, who prophesied the events which lay ahead for Odysseus.
3. Odysseus learned from the seer that there was trouble at home and that
would have to kill the ________, who were abusing Penelope’s hospitality.
4. Odysseus met the soul of the dead king Agamemnon, who died as a result
the treachery of his own wife, _________________.
5. Achilles told Odysseus that he would rather be an alive _________ than
dead hero.
6. __________________ was also in Hades, condemned for all eternity to be
tormented with hunger and thirst.
The
he
of
a
7. ____________’s punishment was to spend eternity pushing a boulder up a hill,
only to have it roll back down again as he reaches the top.
8. The phantom of ________________ also talked to Odysseus, but his body was
with the immortals on Mount Olympus.
9. What does Tiresias predict for Odysseus?
10. What should Odysseus do to the suitors at his house?
11. What does Tiresias say Odysseus should do after dealing with the suitors?
12. What is the name of Odysseus's mother and how did she die?
13. Why can't Odysseus hug his dead mother?
Discussion
Question:______________________________________________________________________
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Book 12: The Cattle of the Sun
1. After leaving Hades and returning to Circe’s island, Odysseus and his men
paid tribute to their dead comrade, _________, as promised.
2. Warned by Circe of the dangers ahead, the men set sail. They were able to
sail safely past the island of the __________ because the men had wax in their
ears and Odysseus, who wanted to hear the songs, was tied to the mast.
3. Following Circe’s advice, when they got to Scylla and Charybdis, they sailed
closer to Scylla, losing _____ men to her heads rather than the entire ship to
the whirlpool.
4. Odysseus was warned by both Circe and Tiresias not to land on the island of
____________, where the herds of the sun god Helios fed.
5. Although they intended to leave the following morning, the gods interfered.
After praying for help, Odysseus fell asleep and his men ate the __________.
6. Helios warned Zeus that if the men were not punished, he would _________.
7. Zeus stirred up a storm and struck the ship with a _____________________.
8. The lone survivor, Odysseus floated for nine days and landed on the island
belonging to ____________________.
9. Describe Scylla.
10. What does Odysseus keep secret from his men?
11. Describe the circumstances of Odysseus's shipmates' deaths. Is it
Odysseus's fault?
Discussion
Question:______________________________________________________________________
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Book 13: Ithaca At Last
1. After loading lavish gifts for him on the Phaeacian ship, King Alcinous bid
farewell to Odysseus. Upon arriving home, the sleeping Odysseus and his gifts
were taken ashore. The earthshaker, ______________, requested permission from
Zeus to punish the Phaeacians.
2. The Thunderer gave his permission and the Earthshaker turned the Phaeacian
ship to __________________.
3. To prevent the rest of the prophecy from occurring, King Alcinous sacrificed
_____________ to Poseidon.
4. Athena covered the countryside of Ithaca with a ___________ so that Odysseus
would not recognize his home until she had a chance to prepare him.
5. Athena is pleased by Odysseus’ lie to her because it illustrates his caution
and cleverness. After she reveals her identity, Athena tells Odysseus that
Penelope is still faithful. Odysseus feels relieved because he feared he might
suffer the same fate as _____________ at the hands of his wife Clytemnestra.
6. How does Athena disguise Odysseus?
7. Athena tells Odysseus to find the faithful swineherd _______________ and
learn from him which of his subjects are still loyal.
8. In the meantime, Athena will go to ______________ to bring back Telemachus,
who had gone to the court of King ____________ to seek knowledge of Odysseus.
9. Describe Odysseus's journey home from Scheria.
10. What does Poseidon initially want to do to the Phaeacian ship?
11. What decision does Alcinous make because of the wrath of Poseidon?
Discussion
Question:______________________________________________________________________
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Book 14: The Loyal Swineheard
1. Why is the number of boars in Odysseus’ herds of swine dwindling?
2. Eumaeus, who thinks Odysseus is dead, tells his “visitor” that he wishes
_____________ had died before Odysseus.
3. Odysseus cannot yet reveal his identity to the swineherd; inventing an
elaborate story, he says he is a man from the wild plains of Crete who led a
fleet against the ancient country of __________________.
4. The swineherd avoids going into town unless __________________.
5. The disguised Odysseus predicts the return of Odysseus and tells the
swineherd that if his prediction does not come true, the swineherd may throw
him ___________ as an example to other men who might come to Ithaca with lies
about Odysseus.
6. Odysseus was pleased to see that the swineherd was so careful with his
master’s property that he slept outside with the ______________.
Discussion
Question:______________________________________________________________________
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Book 15: The Prince Sets Sail for Home
1. Athena tells Telemachus to hurry home because his mother is being urged to
marry _________________.
2. She also warns him that the suitors are waiting to ambush him in the straits
between Ithaca and _____________.
3. As Telemachus said farewell to King Menelaus, a good omen appeared; it was
a(n) _______________________________.
4. Menelaus’ wife _________________ interpreted the omen, saying it meant that
Odysseus could already be in Ithaca.
5. Telemachus invited a prophet named _____________ to accompany him to Ithaca.
6. After Telemachus lands, another omen appears----a _______________.
7. It is significant that both omens were in process of ______________ because
a move in the opposite direction would have meant bad luck.
8. It is also significant that both omens were in process of ________________,
suggesting that Odysseus will prevail over the suitors.
9. How has Eumaeus proven his faithfulness in this and previous books?
10. Who do you think will be the first person to know Odysseus for who he
really is?
Discussion
Question:______________________________________________________________________
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Book 16: Father and Son
1. At the swineherd’s hut, Telemachus meets the “stranger.” Is Telemachus
master of his own house so that at this time he can offer hospitality to a
stranger?
2. Eumaeus is sent to the palace to tell Penelope that _________ has returned.
3. Then the goddess ________________ appears to advise Odysseus to reveal
everything to Telemachus.
4. When Odysseus has convinced Telemachus that he really is his father,
Telemachus tells him that he must fight a total of _____ men counting suitors,
servants, others.
5. Besides Telemachus, Odysseus is counting on the help of the god ________.
6. Odysseus plans to join Telemachus at home later when he will give the signal
to hide all the __________.
7. Penelope is angry when she hears about the ambush plot; the man she calls by
name in her accusation is ___________________________.
8. She is answered by _________________, who insincerely says that no man shall
harm Telemachus while he is present to protect the boy.
9. What does Telemachus call Eumaeus? Why?
10. Describe Athena's changes to Odysseus's appearance.
11. Who does Telemachus think Odysseus is when Athena removes his disguise?
Discussion
Question:______________________________________________________________________
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Book 17: Stranger At the Gates
1. When Telemachus tells his mother to quit crying and change clothes and when
he relates Menelaus’ prediction that Odysseus will return, he is trying to
prepare his mother. Then the prophet, _____________, tells Penelope that
Odysseus is no longer a captive, but is in Ithaca at this time.
2. On their own way to town, Eumaeus and Odysseus encounter another one of
Odysseus’ servants, the disloyal goatherd named _________________.
3. Odysseus’ dog is named ____________ after Jason’s famous ship.
4. When the dog sees Odysseus again, he ________________________________.
5. ___________________ tells the suitors that Eumaeus brought the beggar to the
house.
6. It is ironic that ______________ objects to the beggar on the grounds that
they already have enough beggars and vagrants eating at Odysseus’ expense.
7. Telemachus’ loud ___________ is a signal to Penelope that death will come to
the intruders.
9. What does Theoclymenos prophesy to Penelope?
10. How does Odysseus test the suitors?
11. Describe Melanthios.
12. Who makes Odysseus extremely angry?
13. Why does Odysseus want to test his servants and his wife before revealing
his identity?
Discussion
Question:______________________________________________________________________
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Book 18: The Beggar King of Ithaca
1. A new visitor, _______________, the town beggar, comes to the palace.
2. Antinous urges a fight between the beggars. The winner of the fight will
receive a ________ and the right always to share a meal with them as the sole
beggar of the house.
3. What did Athena do for Odysseus to help him win the fight?
4. What injury did Odysseus give the man?
5. Before he went off to the Trojan War, Odysseus had told Penelope that she
could marry again when Telemachus __________.
6. Penelope criticizes the suitors for not giving her any __________.
7. Odysseus is insulted by ___________; a brawl ensues in which this bully
throws a stool at him.
8. _______________ called order to the group.
9. Why does Odysseus get in a fight with Irus? Who wins?
10. What trick does Penelope play on the suitors in this book?
11. Which three characters anger Odysseus in this book?
Discussion
Question:______________________________________________________________________
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Book 19: Penelope and Her Guest
1. Odysseus again encounters _____________, a disloyal servant who yells at him
when she finds him in the upstairs of the house.
2. To test the truth of what the stranger said, Penelope asks him what Odysseus
was wearing; the beggar describes a broach; what scene appeared on the broach?
3. While washing Odysseus’ feet the old nurse, ___________, recognizes him when
she sees the _______ on his leg, which he received from a wild ___________.
4. Because Odysseus does not let the old nurse determine which of the women are
faithful and which are not, _______________ is going to do it.
5. Penelope has a strange dream. The dead geese represent the ________________.
[Remember the omen of an eagle carrying a goose]
6. Penelope tells the beggar that she has planned a contest in which the
suitors will attempt to shoot an arrow through the handles of many __________
set in a row.
7. What does Odysseus the beggar tell Penelope about Odysseus?
Discussion
Question:______________________________________________________________________
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Book 20: Portents Gather
1. What are the serving women doing that makes Odysseus so angry that he growls
in his heart at their shameless ways?
2. Odysseus worries that he might not be able to escape the ____________. He is
concerned that if he kills all these high-born men, their relatives and
countrymen might attempt to avenge them and Ithaca would be embroiled in a
civil war.
3. Odysseus prays to Zeus to give a sign--______________.
4. A serving woman who also hears the sign prays that _____________.
5. __________________, the loyal herdsman arrives.
6. __________________, the disloyal herdsman arrives.
7. A third herdsman, Philoetius, arrives. Is he loyal or disloyal?
8. __________________ astonishes the suitors with his bold talk.
9. __________________ sees a vision that predicts woe to all the suitors.
10. While the suitors are plotting Telemachus’ death, an omen appears: a bird
that flies off to the ___________, a sign that their plan will fail.
11. Name two people who are cruel to Odysseus the beggar.
12. Who proves himself to be a kind and faithful servant?
13. What do you think Odysseus is going to do to the suitors?
Discussion
Question:______________________________________________________________________
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Book 21: Odysseus Strings His Bow
1. Penelope says the man who can string the bow belonging to ____________ and
then shoot an arrow through the handles will be her new husband.
2. _________________ ridicules Eumaeus and the cowherd when they are moved to
tears after seeing the bow.
3. _________________ almost strings the bow before Odysseus signals him to
stop.
4. _________________, the first man to try the bow, predicts that the bow will
destroy many strong men.
5. _________________, a loyal servant, is supposed to carry the bow to
Odysseus.
6. _________________ is supposed to lock the gate.
7. _________________ is supposed to see that the women are out of the way.
8. Antinous wants to put off the contest for one day because it is the feast
day of the god _________________ and he fears the god may cause them to fail if
they engage in competition on his sacred day.
9. Penelope assures them that even if the beggar does win, he would not expect
her, a queen, to marry him. How is her statement ironic?
10. _____________ sends Penelope to her room.
11. Whom does Odysseus trust to help him defeat the suitors?
12. Why don't the men want Odysseus to try to string the bow?
13. How does Odysseus prove his true identity?
Discussion
Question:______________________________________________________________________
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Book 22: Slaughter in the Hall
1. The first suitor killed was _____________, who received an arrow in the
neck.
2. __________________, who tried to escape the fight by blaming everything on
Antinous, is the second suitor to die.
3. __________________ killed Amphinomus.
4. ________________________ ran to the storeroom and armed the suitors.
5. Two who were spared were Medon, the herald, who cared for Telemachus as a
child, and ______________, the bard.
6. Odysseus would not let Eurycleia shout for joy because _______________.
7. How many of the serving women had been unfaithful?
8. Thinking that stabbing is too good for the unfaithful women, Telemachus has
them hanged instead. They looked like ___________ caught in a net. [remember
the signs]
9. Odysseus orders Eurycleia to bring ______________ and ____________ to clean
the hall and remove the smell of death.
10. What did Odysseus prove about his abilities when he shot the arrow through
the twelve axes? Why is that important now?
11. How does Odysseus identify the unfaithful maids?
12. What does Odysseus do to the unfaithful maids?
13. What is done to Melanthius?
Discussion
Question:______________________________________________________________________
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Book 23: The Great Rooted Bed
1. Worried that the killings may be avenged while hoping to buy time and delay
the townspeople from knowing the truth, Odysseus orders his household to
pretend that a ____________ is taking place.
2. Penelope, not convinced that the beggar is Odysseus, tests him by ordering
the women to move the ________________.
3. Odysseus reveals something that only he would know: that one of the posts is
a _____.
4. To make their first night together pleasurable, Athena makes the night
___________.
5. He must visit city after city until he comes to someone who does not
recognize the ___________ he is carrying on his shoulder.
6. On that spot, he must bury it and prepare a sacrifice for the god
_______________.
7. Only then will he be able to live in peace and happiness until he dies a
very old man. Death will come to him gently from the direction of the
_______________.
8. Odysseus says that before starting his journey to appease the gods, he will
visit his _______________.
9. Odysseus and his men get out of the city with the help of Athena, who hides
them in ___________.
10. After Odysseus tells Penelope about all his adventures, he sets off again.
What does he go to do? What does he tell Penelope to do?
Discussion
Question:______________________________________________________________________
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Book 24: Peace
1. The god _________ escorts the dead to the halls of Hades.
2. In Hades, the soul of Agamemnon tells the soul of __________ that he was
fortunate to have died on the battlefield during the Trojan War.
3. During the course of this conversation, Homer adds the ____________ customs
of the Greeks.
4. In contrast, the souls of the newly-arrived _______________ are not happy
because their bodies are still lying uncovered and no one knows yet to mourn
their deaths.
5. Meanwhile, Odysseus has arrived at his father’s house and must again prove
his identity. In addition to showing the proof of the scar, he correctly
identifies the kinds and numbers of the
_____________ that Laertes had given him long ago.
6. What is Laertes afraid of?
7. Who comes to battle Odysseus? Whom are they led by?
8. Whom does Odysseus kill?
9. Who stops the battle?
Discussion
Question:______________________________________________________________________
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Part II: Write one dialectical journal entry for the first ten books(two
columns):
Write a quote and correctly cite.
Analyze (approx. 50+ words)
Example:
“he’d have escaped his doom, too,
Menelaus tells Telemachus
about
despite Athena’s hate, if he hadn’t
his journey home and the
king relates
flung that brazen boast, the mad
the story of Ajax, who had
angered
blind fool” (Od. 4.563-564).
Poseidon through his
hubris. Ajax’
arrogant pride ultimately caused his
downfall. Readers know that this
portrayal of hubris which angers
Poseidon parallels the actions of
Odysseus. Homer is sharing the values
of the Greek culture by warning that
arrogance is destructive in nature.
Part III: Create a chronology of the major events in the story as they relate
to the Hero’s Journey proffered by Joseph Campbell using either A or B.
A. Hero’s Journey for Odysseus
B. Hero’s Journey for Telemachus
I suggest you create a template of the hero’s journey, make a copy for each of
these two characters, and then add analysis as you read.
Reminder of Hero’s Journey: 3 Main Stages of Separation/Departure,
Fulfillment/Initiation, & Return
Separation/Departure:
Call to Adventure
Refusal of the Call
Crossing the Threshold (also remember threshold guardians, mentor,
companions)
Fulfillment/Initiation
Trials/Temptations
Brother Battle
Meeting with the Goddess
Abduction
Night or Sea Journey
Dragon Battle
Ritual Death or Dismemberment
Sacred Marriage
Ultimate Boon/Magic Elixir
Belly of the Whale
Atonement
Apotheosis
Return
Refusal to Return
Magic Flight/Pursuit
Rescue from Without
Crossing the Return Threshold
Master of Two Worlds (familiar and unfamiliar)
Freedom to Live
Part IV: Authentic Assessment. Pick one of the following:
1. Draw three favorite scenes from the epic.
2. Choose a character to follow throughout the epic. In the voice of
the character, keep a journal with 5 entries, recording the
character's thoughts and feelings throughout the story.
3. Write four letters (2 from each) back and forth from two
characters.
4. Write an essay on any of the following:
•the ritual of sacrificing animals to the gods
•the treatment of strangers visiting others' homes
•the difference in speech between the characters of different
classes (example: Eurycleia vs. Penelopeia)
•the existence and use of fate in the story (gods' wills,
prophecies, etc.)
•death rituals
•the role of women
•the attributes of an epic hero
•Biblical allusions
•omens and signs
•the daily life of the ancient Greeks
•a character analysis of Penelopeia
•a character analysis of Telemachos, including his journey from
boyhood to manhood
•a description of the physical appearance of Ithaca or any of the
other lands that Odysseus traveled through
5. (Group) Choose a scene from the epic and reenact it for the class
live or on video. Pay special attention to costume and language.
6. (Group) Convert a scene to a radio drama. Present a live or taped
version to the class. Include an announcer and sound effects.
7. (Group) Convert a scene into a puppet show. Make simple puppets
(from sticks, paper bags, or socks), and present the scene to the
class.
8. (Group) Prepare a call-in radio show with a host accepting
editorial comments from the listening audience. The callers should
be members of the ancient Greek society of Odysseus.
9. (Group) Conduct a trial of one of the major characters to
determine his guilt or innocence in the epic. Stage the trial in
class with each student being assigned a role of judge, juror,
attorney, stenographer, bailiff, observer, or some specific
character. Some characters should serve as witnesses.
10. Dress and make up as a major character in the book. Prepare and
present an original soliloquy that the character might have given.
11. Give a thematic pictorial presentation or a "roll-movie" (Put a
series of pictures in sequence along a strip of paper. Attach ends
to rollers and place in a cardboard box.) with musical accompaniment
for the class. A written explanation of the presentation can be
handed in to the teacher.
12. Draw a scale model of an item in the epic, such as Odysseus's
bow, ship, or hand-crafted bed. An alternative may be to construct a
replica of an item.
13. Make a weaving or tapestry that portrays some scene or design in
the epic.
14. Design and make your own t-shirt with an illustration about the
epic. Create your design using colorfast marking pens or fabric
paint.
15. Convert the events of the epic into a ballad or song. Write the
lyrics and music or adapt words to someone else's melody.
16. Write a portion of the epic from one character's limited point
of view. Include the character's thoughts, opinions, and motives.
17. (Group) Write an sequel to The Odyssey, presenting imagined
subsequent events in the characters' lives, especially Odysseus,
Penelopeia, and Telemachos.
Either staple Parts II, III, & IV together in order or lace these three
sections in order in a folder. These parts need to be typed in MLA style
(Hero’s Journey Template does not need to be in MLA style). Make sure you proof
your work and edit for grammar and punctuation. Part I need not be included as
guide and questions were checked daily in class. 
Rubric:
Part II
Dialectical Journal
100_____
Part III Hero’s Journey O. or T.
Part IV Authentic Assessment
50 _____
50 _____
TOTAL
200 _____
(Half in Test/quiz, half in Performance)