12th Grade Advanced Placement English Literature &Composition
Summer Reading Assignment
The Odyssey is a 12,000-line Greek epic poem dating from the eighth century B.C.E. An epic poem is
a long poem divided into sections, or "books," that focuses on the extraordinary deeds and
adventures of a hero. According to ancient Greek tradition, heroes were men who were born to one
divine and one human parent. The story of The Odyssey recounts the adventures of the Greek hero
Odysseus during his 10-year voyage home to Ithaca after the end of the Trojan War in the thirteenth
century B.C.E. Odysseus is considered the ideal Greek hero: an aristocratic soldier of superior
strength, intelligence, and courage, favored by the Gods.
The poem is traditionally ascribed to Homer (circa 700 B.C.E.), who is considered the earliest Greek
poet. Little is known about Homer's life, but ancient Greek playwrights referred to him as a "gifted
blind poet." Some scholars believe that a line from a choral song attributed to Homer confirms this
description:
"If anyone should ask you whose song is sweetest, say: blind is the man and he lives in rocky Chios."
Other scholars believe that "Homer" was the name given to a collective group of bards who sang
Mycenaean folktales to entertain the nobles of Ionia, located on the west coast of Asia Minor.
In order to complete this assignment, you will be provided with:
1. The Odyssey by Homer – If you wish to annotate or highlight the text as you read, please
feel free to purchase a personal copy of the text.
2. Composition Book – You are expected to do the journal assignment described below in this
book. Entries must be handwritten. Illegible entries will receive a score of zero.
You are required to provide all other materials necessary for the completion of the secondary
assignment of your choice.
A test on The Odyssey will be administered within the first week of school. Be prepared.
Journal Assignment
Using the composition book provided, complete the following list of assignments for each of the
20 Books of The Odyssey:
1. Write a 2-3 sentence plot summary of the Book.
2. List 2-3 personal observations/reactions you had while reading the text (include the line
number)
Ex. It must be nice to have gods who tell you not to do the stupid things you want to do,
before you do it (47).
3. Make a list of new characters and their description/who they are as they appear.
4. List two uses of figurative language (symbol, metaphor, simile, alliteration, apostrophe,
paradox, irony, etc.), particular diction/syntax, or imagery and the affect it has on you as
the reader (include the line number for each).
Ex. Book 3 – Pallas Athena rebukes Telemachus using a metaphor that calls Death “the great
leveler”. It is an awesome image that gives the reader a feeling that no one can escape death;
that death makes all accounts even.
5. There are several themes (listed below) in The Odyssey. Find and list one quote (write
directly in your journal if short, make a note of the line #) or situations (longer episodes
that may be listed by the lines in which they appear) that illustrate any of the themes.
After each quote/episode, write a concise, 2-3 sentence explanation which describes how
the passage chosen is representative of the chosen theme.
Ex. Book 1 – Athena is talking about Odysseus still being alive when she says, “He’s
plotting a way to journey home at last;/ he’s never at a loss.”(237-238) This relates to the
theme of creativity and imagination in that it suggests that Odysseus is using both in his
“plotting” a way home.
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
f.
g.
h.
i.
j.
k.
Creativity, Imagination, and Deception/Heroic Craftiness
Heroism
The Human Condition (What does it mean to be human?)
Love and Loyalty
Order and Disorder
Triumph Over Temptation
The Nature of Women
The Concept of Home
The Epic Journey
Revenge
The Gods Involvement with Humanity
Along with your journaling, choose one of the following assignments, due on the first day of school.
Assignment One: 25 pts
Greek Values Analysis
It is generally believed that the exact author of The Odyssey is not as important as the ancient Greek
values it contains. By listening to the stories in the poem, ancient Greeks learned standards of
honorable behavior. These values, forged in the "Age of Heroes" during the Mycenaean Period,
became the foundations of ancient Greek society.
Greek Values
Athleticism
Hospitality
Ingenuity
Intuition
Justice
Loyalty
Respect
Teamwork
For each of the values listed above, select a passage from The Odyssey which illustrates the Greek
attitude regarding each value.
1. Using 11 or 12 pt, Times New Roman font and 1” margins, identify the passage using the book
and line numbers.
example: Book 8 Lines 300-401
2. Give a concise description of the passage.
3. Write a detailed analysis, with apt references to the text (book. line)(ex. 8.315), which explains
the value and how it is represented in the passage you have chosen.
4. Once this is done for each value, answer the comprehension questions below.
Comprehension Questions
1. What values seem to have been most important to the early Greeks?
2. Why do you think these values were so important?
3. Which Greek values do you think are similar to American values today? Which do you think are different?
4. Why do you think the ancient Greeks illustrated their values through epic literature?
Assignment Two: 25 pts
Analytical Writing Assignment
Topics (choose one):
1. The Odyssey is typically categorized as an epic. Write an essay that analyzes the aspects of an epic using The
Odyssey.
2. Throughout The Odyssey characters often don disguises in order to either facilitate or hamper the journeys of
others. Write an essay analyzing the different functions of disguise in The Odyssey.
3. Although women did not inhabit the same sphere of society as men, they exhibited the ability to influence the
lives of men. Using Penelope, write an essay analyzing how women were capable of exerting their power and
influence in The Odyssey.
Guidelines:
 Choose examples that show an original and insightful interpretation of the text (based on a close, accurate
reading).
 Length: One page. Double-spaced with 1 inch margins and 11 or 12 point Times New Roman font.
 Point value: 25
Individual Interpretation:
Ideas show your own unique and insightful interpretation of the text (based on a close, accurate reading).
Support/Evidence:
 Specific and accurate examples carefully chosen from the text to support your claim.
Flow of Ideas:
Ideas flow smoothly from one to another. New ideas or changes in thought are indicated by the use of transitions.
Structure and Style:
Introductory Sentence(s):
 Introduces topic and interests the reader.
 Refers to both the author and text.
 Thesis statement makes a specific, concise claim that the paper works to prove.
Embedded quotes:
Quotes are short, smoothly embedded, and correctly cited. (1.37)= Book 1 Line 37
Concluding Sentence(s):
Summarizes the argument and answers the “so what” question.
Language:
Words choice is appropriate; sentences vary in structure and are grammatically well constructed.
Presentation:
Appropriate title, shows evidence of proofreading