On-Level World History and Geography 1 Summer Reading Packet (Iliad/Odyssey)
"Mythology: Timeless Tales of Gods and Heroes" by Edith Hamilton ISBN: 978-0-446-57475-4
(ONLY PART 4 is assigned, but keep the book because the rest will be summer reading for English next year.)
Complete Definitions and Answer Reading questions (have complete by day one of School)
Definitions Directions: Type out the following terms and define them.
Be ready to turn these in on the first day of School.
Major Characters
Agamemnon
Menelaus
Achilles
Helen
Ajax
Odysseus
Aeneas
Paris
Hector
Priam
Define
Questions Directions: Type your response to each question in roughly 2-3+ sentences.
Be ready to turn these in on the first day of School.
1.
In the Greek world governed by the gods, Do human choices make a difference?
2.
What kind of religion do the characters in the story seem to have? How do they feel about the gods?
What roles do the gods play in their lives?
3.
What does justice mean for the people in the story? Are revenge and retribution the only forms of justice,
or do they seem to be using some higher code of justice?
4.
What is the war between the Greeks and trojans about? What starts the war?
5.
What kind of leader is Agamemnon? What kind of warrior is Achilles? What kind leader is Hector?
What are each of them fighting for?
6.
One of the constant themes in this story is sacrifice and loss of war, what personal loss dis each side suffer in the war?
7.
In the Odyssey Odysseus often gets called "tricky" or "wily." Is this a compliment? An insult?
Are there any times when deception is punished?
8.
What does it mean to be a hero?
What qualities does a hero have to have to be considered truly a hero?
9.
How does Odysseus reactions to seeing Achilles and Agamemnon in the underworld tell us of Greek view of death and
what is important in life?
10. This story has inspired countess retellings remakes and spin-offs.
Why do you think that is? What's so appealing that makes this tale so timeless?