Odyssey Themes
1. Hospitality:

Shown to:
• Shown to Odysseus by Alcinous, Eumaeus, Telemachus, and Penelope

Contrasted with:
• The suitors
• The Cyclops (Book 9)
• The Laestrygonians (Book 10)
• Circe (Book 10)
2. Respect for the Gods

Shown how?
• Respect for the gods is shown through the numerous descriptions of
sacrifices and offerings. Before feasting, the ritual involves "cutting the first
strips for the gods" having them "wrapped in sleek fat . . . sprinkling barley over
them" then "burning the choice parts for the gods that never die." Libations are
also poured.
• Disrespect for the Gods inevitably leads to disaster; the Gods do not forget
disrespect and are not easily appeased. (Poseidon, Athena, Aeolus, Helios.)
• Note how often Odysseus prays, especially after he makes the mistake with
Polyphemus.
Odyssey Themes
3. Loyalty
Who is loyal, and to whom are they faithful?
•
Penelope's loyalty to Odysseus
•
Athena's loyalty to her "Odysseus" and vice versa
•
Loyalty between parents and offspring
•
The loyalty of Eurycleia
•
The loyalty of Argos
•
The loyalty of the Achaeans to each other.
4. Pride and Honor

Excessive pride examples?
• Odysseus is guilty of excessive pride when he gives his name to Polyphemus
(Book 9).
• Laodamus shows excess pride when he challenges Odysseus in Book 8
• The suitors seem dangerously proud, especially when Odysseus returns. In
the end, the suitors have dishonored Odysseus and must pay for this.
• On the other hand, a certain amount of pride and sense of honor is
important. Note how Odysseus responds to the challenge of Laodamus.
• Telemachus needs to need to gain more pride so that he can stand up to the
suitors who have dishonored his house.
Odyssey Themes
5. Resisting Temptation
•
Generally, Odysseus resists temptation. But he does boast to Polyphemus,
and he does seem reluctant to leave Circe's island.
•
His men are tempted by the Lotus Eaters as well as Circe; and by greed
several times - causing them to stay too long at the land of the Cicones, to open
Aeolus' gift, and finally to eat the cattle of the sun (though in some ways this is
more out of desperation than anything else).
•
The suitors clearly cannot resist temptation.
6. Live Life to the Fullest
•
A major characteristic of Odysseus. He cannot resist the opportunity to
"explore." He stays out of trouble by not being reckless.
•
The episode with the Sirens is an example of both his exploration of life and
of his precaution.
•
He seems to understand how important to make the most of any moment,
taking Achilles' description of death to heart.
Odyssey Themes
7. The Importance of Leadership
What are the character traits of a leader in this epic poem?
This is a top down society. The leaders we meet (Odysseus, Alcinous etc.) do not
rule democratically. They rule by "divine right" and by force of character. Probably
the most important quality of leadership is courage.
8. Justice
•
Odysseus is a deliverer of justice.
•
Justice takes time. Odysseus can’t always act immediately. When he does
act, justice is not tempered by mercy.
•
Helen seems to be beyond justice.
•
Justice can seem brutal - especially when it is meted out by Zeus or Poseidon
directly - the Phaeacians are brutally punished for their assistance to Odysseus.
•
Odysseus’ justice for the maids who slept with the suitors is also brutal (as is
Telemachus’).
Odyssey Character Descriptions
FOR EACH CHARACTER, WRITE HOW HE/SHE INTERACTS IN THE ODYSSEY.
1. CALYPSO: Nymph goddess who keeps Odysseus on her island for 7 years
2. CHARYBDIS: Female monster—whirpool—sucks in/expels water 3x/day
3. CIRCE: Enchantress/turns men into swine (pigs)
4. CYCLOPS: Polyphemus—imprisons Odysseus and men in cave—they escape
under rams after stabbing his eye
5. SCYLLA: Female monster—6 serpent heads—ate 6 of Odysseus’ men
6. SIRENS: Sea nymphs—beautiful music lures men to steer to rocks
7. TEIRESIAS: Blind prophet from Thebes—Odysseus meets in land of dead
8. TELEMACHUS: Odysseus’ son; fights with him against suitors
9. PENELOPE: Odysseus’ faithful wife
1. APOLLO: God of poetry, music, prophecy, archery, etc.
2. ATHENA: Daughter of Zeus; goddess of wisdom; helps Odysseus
3. HELIOS: Sun god; mad at Odysseus’ men for eating his cattle
4. HERMES: Messenger god; takes Calypso message from Zeus (from Athena)
5. POSEIDON: God of sea; father of Polyphemus; crashes Odysseus’ raft
6. ZEUS: Most powerful god; favors hospitality; helps other gods at times
CLOZE Reading Passage
FOR THE FOLLOWING EXCERPT, CHOOSE APPROPRIATE WORDS FOR THE
CONTEXT. THIS QUOTATION COMES FROM PENELOPE, WHEN SHE AND ODYSSEUS
AS REUNITING. DO NOT USE YOUR TEXTBOOK FOR THIS ACTIVITY.
“Do not RAGE at me, Odysseus! No one ever matched your caution! Think what
DIFFICULTY the gods gave: they denied us life together in our prime and flowering
years, kept us from crossing into age together. FORGIVE me, don't be angry. I
could not WELCOME you with love on sight! I armed myself long ago against the
frauds of men, imposters who might come--and all those many whose
underhanded ways bring EVIL on! But here and now, what sign could be so clear
as this of our own BED? No other man has ever laid eyes on it--only my own
SLAVE, Actoris, that my father sent with me as a gift--she kept our door. You make
my STIFF heart know that I am yours.”
Odyssey Vocabulary Practice
INSERT THE MOST CORRECT VOCABULARY WORDS (FROM PART 1 AND 2 OF
ODYSSEY VOCABULARY) INTO THE SENTENCES BELOW. MAKE SURE TO USE THE
APPROPRIATE PART OF SPEECH AS WELL (NOUN, VERB, ADJECTIVE, ADVERB, ETC.).
1. Athena ADORNED (verb) Odysseus with youth and a beautiful appearance
when he reunited with Penelope.
2. Penelope was INCREDULOUS (adj) when Odysseus was standing in front of her;
she just couldn’t believe it was him!
3. Odysseus GLOWERED (verb) at the suitors when they tried to make excuses for
courting his wife. His eyes could have bored holes through their souls!
4. The maids had to clean up a PROFUSION (noun) of bodies from the great hall.
5. Teiresias, as a prophet, could be considered a SAGE (noun).
6. Penelope appeared ALOOF (adj) from Odysseus when she hesitated to come
near him after so many years.
7. The bow was PLIANT in his hands as Odysseus bent it for the string.
8. Penelope felt TREMULOUS (adj) when she realized the man in front of her was
her long-lost husband. Her knees were shaking.
9. Telemachus sought RESTITUTION (noun) against the maids by hanging them for
betraying the house.
10. Odysseus overcame many ADVERSITIES (noun) on his long odyssey.
11. Odysseus’ return at first was STEALTH (adj), because he kept his appearance
a secret.
12. Polyphemus, Circe, the Sirens, and Scylla are only a few ADVERSARIES (noun)
Odysseus had to contend with on his long adventure.