FIRST READ EXTENSION QUESTIONS
from the Odyssey, Part 1
Name:
Date:
from the Odyssey, Part 1
Homer
DIRECTIONS: Complete the following items after you have read the text.
____________________________________________________________________________
RL.9-10.5 Analyze how an author’s choices concerning how to structure a text, order events
within it (e.g., parallel plots), and manipulate time (e.g., pacing, flashbacks) create such effects as
mystery, tension, or surprise.
1. Analyze how an author’s choices concerning how to structure a text create
such effects as mystery, tension, or surprise.
Homer begins the Odyssey by asking the muse of poetry to help him tell the story
of Odysseus. How does beginning the story in this way affect your understanding
of the text?
foreshadowing and it makes readers and me get more interested in
whats gonna happen more into the story.
____________________________________________________________________________
RL.9-10.2 Determine a theme or central idea of a text and analyze in detail its development over
the course of the text, including how it emerges and is shaped and refined by specific details;
provide an objective summary of the text.
2. (a) Determine a theme or central idea of a text and analyze in detail its
development over the course of the text, including how it emerges and is
shaped and refined by specific details.
Reread the sections “Sailing from Troy” and “The Cyclops” in the Odyssey, Part
1. What central idea about Odysseus is introduced in “Sailing from Troy” and
developed in “The Cyclops”? How is it introduced in “Sailing from Troy,” and
what details help develop it in “The Cyclops”?
Odysseus's intelligence and cunning introduced in showing how his
quick thinking are very important for his survival.
(b) Provide an objective summary of the text.
Write an objective summary of the Odyssey, Part 1, that includes key events and
details, but not personal opinions or judgments.
After the Trojan war, he and his men went to the Lotus-Eaters, where some of his crew ate at
the Lotus plant and didn't want to go back home. Next, they go to the Polyphemus island,
where Odysseus blinds the Cyclops to escape. Then Polyphemus curses Odysseus and his
crew. Then they encounter Aeolus, who gives Odysseus a bag of winds, but his men release
the winds all at once, slowing their progress. The crew then faces the cannibalistic people,
who destroy most of their ships. Only Odysseus's ship survives, leading them to Circe's
island. Circe transforms some of Odysseus's men into pigs, but with the help of the god
Hermes, Odysseus resists her magic and convinces her to turn his crew. Then Circe gives
advice, Odysseus navigates the dangers of the Underworld and gets advice from the blind
prophet Tiresias.
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FIRST READ EXTENSION QUESTIONS
from the Odyssey, Part 1
_____________________________________________________________________________
RL.9-10.3 Analyze how complex characters (e.g., those with multiple or conflicting motivations)
develop over the course of a text, interact with other characters, and advance the plot or develop
the theme.
3. Reread lines 244–318 of the Odyssey, Part 1. Explain why Odysseus decides to
interact with Polyphemus rather than kill him. Explain how they interact and how
this interaction helps Odysseus and his men later.
They give wine to the cyclops to make him drunk and pass out so they can make a
hot spear to blind the cyclops while he's passed out and not kill him so they can
escape.
_____________________________________________________________________________
RL.9-10.5 Analyze how an author’s choices concerning how to structure a text, order events
within it (e.g., parallel plots), and manipulate time (e.g., pacing, flashbacks) create such effects as
mystery, tension, or surprise.
4. Analyze how an author’s choices concerning how to order events within a
text create such effects as mystery, tension, or surprise.
Reread lines 484–493 of the Odyssey, Part 1. What is the effect of Polyphemus
cursing Odysseus as he and his men are leaving? How does it affect your
understanding of what happens to Odysseus and his men later in the Odyssey,
Part 1?
When they leave the island after the curse a huge storm goes their way and destroys
some ships and kills some men.
_____________________________________________________________________________
RL.9-10.6 Analyze a particular point of view or cultural experience reflected in a work of literature
from outside the United States, drawing on a wide reading of world literature.
5. After reading the Odyssey, Part 1, what can you infer were important values to the
ancient Greeks in Homer’s time? Use evidence from the text as well as your
background knowledge about ancient Greece.
cunning, bravery, belief in fate and loyalty
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FIRST READ EXTENSION QUESTIONS
from the Odyssey, Part 1
Oral Tradition
DIRECTIONS: Complete the following activity as either a written response or a group
discussion.
_____________________________________________________________________________
RL.9-10.3 Analyze how complex characters (e.g., those with multiple or conflicting motivations)
develop over the course of a text, interact with other characters, and advance the plot or develop
the theme.
6. The Odyssey is a traditional epic about the adventures of Odysseus, a warrior who
fought in the Trojan War. Describe Odysseus's motivation in the Odyssey, Part 1
and analyze his character. How do Odysseus's actions and character demonstrate
that he is an epic hero?
Use these guidelines in your writing or discussion.
• What is Odysseus’s goal in the text? How is he trying to achieve this goal? He tries to get to Ithaca
his home. By sailing
What happens to him as he attempts to achieve this goal?
• What interactions does he have with other characters? What do they reveal there
about his character? That he is very intelligent and cunning
• An epic hero is a larger-than-life character with valuable traits. How do the
episodes and what they reveal about Odysseus reflect the characteristics of an
epic hero? He is very brave, cunning, and intelligent. and he encourages his men to go
fight in battle and he fights monsters
TIP FOR WRITTEN RESPONSE
Use precise words to convey your meaning. To find replacements for vague words, use a
thesaurus.
TIP FOR DISCUSSION
Remember that everyone in the group is responsible for the success of the discussion. Do
your part and be sure that others have a chance to do theirs.
2. He goes to multiple islands
were he fights monsters and
makes sacrifices and gods get
mad at him.
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