What do we learn about the character of Odysseus from his wanderings?
Leaving Cerficate Exam Question 1996:
From your reading of the Odysseus, what is your opinion of Odysseus as leader of his
men?

The Odyssey is an “epic from ancient Greece” = epic = story of heroes in exalted
(definition).

Homeric hero = marks of a Homeric hero are their words and deeds.

Does Odysseus meet the criteria of a hero?

Key words from film – “clever Odysseus” and Penelope says at the end “brave
Odysseus”.

Odysseus came up with the idea of the wooden horse.

In the film it says Odysseus was impious to the gods. Is this a good representation
of his character?
Odysseus’ wanderings and what we learn about his character from each of
the episodes:
1. Island of the cyclops –
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2. Circe’s island (crazy island!!):
his willingness to take advice, his infidelity, he rescues his men but remember it is Hermes who does
this would he have been able to do it on his own.
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3. Aeolous winds
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Sirens – what qualites does he exhibit in each of the following places:
His journey to the Underworld
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