Study Guide for
The Odyssey, by Homer
W.H.D. Rouse translation
Week One: # 1 - # 30
Week Two: # 31 - 60
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Week Three: # 61 - 95
Week Four: # 96 - 135
400 Points total
Use complete sentences
Use proper grammar & spelling
Cite sources
Define words in context (31 definitions)
Check all numbering (-5%)
Use points as your guide to know how much information is needed
The Iliad is a tragedy of youthful heroes suffering the consequences of the anger of
Achilleus. The Odyssey is an epic of homecoming. In this story, we follow Odysseus’ long and
perilous wanderings, trying to get back home to his wife and son.
When The Odyssey opens, Troy has been sacked (we hear the Trojan Horse story in
retrospect), Priam and his sons are slain, and the Greek invaders’ camp on the Trojan shore has
been gone for ten years. Many of the Greek heroes are also dead: Achilleus and Aias are buried
on foreign soil. King Agamemnon returned home to Mycenae, to be murdered by his own wife.
Menelaus took back the coveted Helen to Sparta, her enduring beauty and parentage saving her
from paying any price or suffering any consequences for her actions.
Odysseus (the Roman Ulysses) sailed from Troy for home ten years ago. His wife,
Penelope, and son, Telemachus (now twenty), are clinging to a desperate hope that he still lives
and will return to them. With their king (Odysseus) and the entire generation of fathers gone, the
island of Ithica has produced a generation of youth untrained in the art of heroic ideals: xenia,
heroic honor, and the concepts of time and kleos are almost unknown to the present youth.
Unwanted suitors, who demand she remarry, besiege Odysseus’ wife Penelope. Telemachus is
unable to stop their advances.
At this time, the Greeks of Homer’s day know nothing of the world beyond the western
shores of the Mediterranean. They trade with all nations on its shores, but, unlike the Phoenicians,
never wander further (you will remember that the Phoenicians called themselves Canaanites: the
people from Tyre and Sidon). When no trace of Odysseus can be found in the known world, he is
given up as lost. Historians speculate that Homer got his knowledge of geography for the
wanderings of Odysseus from the Phoenicians, who traveled around the entire Mediterranean
Basin.
In this epic are found wonderful accounts of late Mycenaean Age palaces and opulence.
Though Odysseus is a king of Ithaca, his home is no palace. There is an alter for sacrifices to
Zeus in the center of the house, a spinning room for Penelope, a bathing room, dining room with
table and chairs (reclining has not become vogue yet), and an armory.
WEEK ONE
Book One
1. P.11
In lengthier translations, Homer invokes the Muse before beginning his story,
why? [2]
Classical Literature - The Odyssey
Instructor Thelma English
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P.11
Calypso means “concealer,” or “coverer” and has a relationship with our word
“eclipse.” Calypso has been detaining our protagonist because he blinded
Poseidon’s son, Polyphemos (you will read about the Cyclops in flashback).
Poseidon still holds a grudge.
2. Who/what is Calypso and what does she have to do with Odysseus? [3]
P.11
Calypso has been detaining our protagonist because he blinded Poseidon’s son,
Polyphemos (you will read about the Cyclops in flashback). Poseidon still holds a
grudge.
3. Who is Poseidon? [4]
4. Define ‘protagonist.’ [2]
5. Define ‘antagonist.’ [2]
6. Who is the ‘antagonist in this book? [2]
7. P.11
“fate spins for every man,” what (or who) is referred to here? [3]
“some near the sunrise…”, Homer knows that black people live all over Africa,
some on the west (Atlantic), some on the east (Indian Ocean).
The Curse on the House of Atreus:
P.11,12 Aigisthos was Agamemnon’s cousin. He was born to Thyestes and
Thyestes’ own daughter, Pelopia.
Tantalus fathered Pelops (whom he served to the gods at a banquet). Then
Pelops (brought back to life, and reassembled) sired Thyestes and Atreus.
When Thyestes had an affair with Atreus’ wife, Atreus served Thyestes’ children
to him, then drove him from the land. Atreus later learned of the child by Thyestes
and his daughter, bringing the boy home (to raise him up to murder his own
father, Thyestes). The son (Aigisthos) and Thyestes later recognized one
another, and plotted to murder Atreus instead. Atreus was the father of
Agamemnon and Menelaos.
Aigisthos was having an affair with King Agamemnon’s wife, Clytemnestra.
When Agamemnon returned home from the Trojan War with his prize,
Cassandra, Clytemnestra and her lover, Aigisthos, murdered them.
Agamemnon’s son, Orestes, with the help of his sister, Electra (Iphiginia had
been sacrificed at Aulis to gain fair winds to sail by), murdered his mother and
Aigisthos.
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Orestes was ‘purified’ in Athens, by Athena, who holds court and expunges him
from guilt. These tales are told in the Oresteia; Agamemnon, Choephoroe (The
Libation Bearers), and Eumenides: a trilogy by Aeschylus.
8. P.12
Who is Atlas? [4]
9. Who is Atlas’ daughter (she holds Odysseus against his will)? [1]
P.12
We get our words “cycle” and “optic” from this word, Cyclops, which
means “circle-eyed” in Greek.
10. What is a Cyclops? [4]
11. P.12
What or who is preventing Odysseus from getting home in this story? [2]
12. P.13
Who is Athene? [4]
13. P. 13 What is Athena’s plan? [2]
14. P.13
“Mentes” is Mentor. Define ‘mentor.’ [2]
P.13
“You will be welcome in our house,” Notice the code of hospitality here:
xenia. No matter what a stranger looked like, they received preferential treatment.
This will be important to remember later, when Odysseus shows up in rags.
15.
What is Xenia? [4]
16. P.14
17. P.17
Why does Phemios play the harp for the “gallants”? [1]
P.15
Laërtes is the father of Odysseus.
P.17
Note the reference to poisoned arrows, this was alluded to in The Iliad.
Who is Nestor, and where does he live? [2]
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18. P.17
Who is Menelaos, and where does he live? [3]
19. P.17
Define ‘barrow.’ [1]
20. P.18
What change takes place in Telemachos after his interview with Athena? [3]
21. P.18
Explain ‘Achaians.’ [1]
22. P.19 What is the subject of the song and why does the singing bring Penelopeia to
tears? [2]
23. P.19
Explain ‘Danaans.’ [1]
24. P.20
Who is Cronion? [1]
Book Two
25. P.22
Define ‘lissom.’ [1]
Aegyptius obviously cannot know what has become of his son. This is for our benefit.
26. P.22
Define ‘omen.’ [1]
27. P.23
Who is Icarios? [1]
Themis is a Titan goddess, daughter of Mother Earth (Gaia). Hesiod says she is the mother of the
three Fates and the Seasons (by Zeus). Some accounts list her as the mother of
Prometheus. Here, she becomes the personification of Justice.
28. P.23
Define ‘redress.’ [1]
29. P. 23
Define ‘dunning.’ [1]
30. P.24
Define ‘dolorous.’ [1]
Classical Literature - The Odyssey
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WEEK TWO
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31. P. 24,25 Begin a brief character study of Penelopeia, adding to it as you progress
through this chapter. See your handout for details (40/60/80 word minimum: include
quoted text). [15]
32. P.25
What are the Avengers (look up ‘Furies’) and what are they known for? [2]
33. P.25,26
What is the reaction of the suitors to Halitherses’ prophecy that they are
doomed? [2]
34. P.26
What is ‘Ilios’? [1]
35. P.26
Define ‘antediluvian.’ [1]
36. P.26
Define ‘prognostications.’ [1]
37. P.26
Define ‘retribution.’ [1]
38. P.28
Define ‘brine.’ [1]
39. P.28
Who will help Telemachos choose a ship and go with him? [2]
40. P.30
Who is Eurycleia? [2]
41. P.31
What is the purpose of the libation and how is it performed? [2]
Book Three
42. P.32
Who is Neleus (see Iliad Glossary in back of book: Iliad, 11.680-92)? [2]
43. P.32
Who is this old and wise man, Nestor? [2]
44. P.33
Define ‘cavalier’ as it is used here. [2]
45. P.33
Why is Nestor called “Nestor Neleiades”? [2]
Amphitrite is a nereid, wife of the god, Poseidon.
46. P.35
Who are the two princes of Atreus? [2]
Classical Literature - The Odyssey
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47. P.35
What was the argument between them before leaving Troas? [2]
48. P.35
Define ‘portent.’ [1]
p.36
Achilleus’ son is Neoptolemus, who, along with Odysseus, brings back Philoctetes with
Heracles bow to ensure success at Troy (an oracle demands Heracles’ bow to win). Philoctetes
had been abandoned on an island early in the Iliad because of a foot problem. After Ajax commits
suicide in humiliation of losing Achilleus’ armor to Odysseus, Odysseus gives it to Neoptolemus.
Achilleus’ son also gets Hector’s widow, Andromache, as a prize. These stories are told in
Philoctetes and Ajax, by Sophocles; and Andromache, by Euripides.
49. Define ‘doughty.’ [1]
This is the same Philoctetes from the Iliad 2.716.
50. P.36
Who is “the Spinner”? [1]
51. P.37
Nestor laments “If only Athena Brighteyes . . .” Why is this statement ironic? [3]
52. P.39
Define ‘cowed.’ [1]
53. P.40
What sign gives away Athena? Who is Tritogeneia? [2]
Neleus was the son of Poseidon, and king of Pylos. He married the only surviving daughter of
Niobe (Niobe was the daughter of Tantalus, sister of Pelops). When he refused to
purify Heracles, Heracles killed him and all his sons except Nestor.
54. P.41
List the six sons of Nestor. [2]
55. P.42
Define ‘faggot’ (modern spelling is ‘fagot’). [1]
56. P.43
What were “the gifts that were a guest’s due” (give examples of the types of gifts
exchanged)? [3]
57. What code reflects this practice? [1]
Classical Literature - The Odyssey
Instructor Thelma English
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58. In several short paragraphs tell the story of book three. [15]
Book Four
P.44
Note the name of Helen’s only child, Hermione, fair as Aphrodite. For those of you
familiar with Shakespeare’s The Winter’s Tale, you will recognize this as the name of King
Leontes lovely, chaste wife. Obviously, Shakespeare had a thorough understanding of Homer’s
works.
59. Who is Aphrodite? [4]
Note the ancient ‘Code of Hospitality’ here: Xenia. Strangers were welcomed, bathed, clothed
and fed before they were asked any questions.
60. P.46
Who is Artemis? [4]
Classical Literature - The Odyssey
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WEEK THREE --------------------------------------------------------
61. P.48
“Argive Helen:” explain. [2]
62. p.48
“cut the hair:” explain. [2]
63. P.49
Define ‘indomitable.’ [1]
64. P.49
What explanation does Helen give for her part in the war? [2]
The reference to Egypt has been elaborated on in the play Helena, by Euripides. It may be a spoof
on his earlier plays, which place blame on her. Herodotus also mentions a story
told by the Egyptians, of Helen in Egypt, with a ‘decoy Helen’ in Troy.
65. P.55
Why is Odysseus referred to as “Odysseus Laërtiadës”? [1]
66. P.56
What prophecy does the Old Man of the Sea give Menelaos concerning his own
death? [1]
67. What/where are the Elysian plains/fields? [1]
68. Who is Rhadamanthys? [1]
69. Who is Zephyros (Zephyr)? [1]
70. P.57
Who is Hephaistos? [4]
Book Five
71. p.62,63 What does Zeus declare to be the fate of Odysseus? [4]
72. P.63
Define ‘coppice.’ [1]
Note that even the gods practice the strict Code of Hospitality: Xenia.
73. P.66
What makes the River Styx the “most awful oath of the blessed gods”? [2]
Greeks were terrified at the thought of not receiving a funeral, with the proper rituals. They
believed that the soul would wander by the River Styx, unable to cross and enter the Underworld.
Odysseus is not afraid, but despairs.
Classical Literature - The Odyssey
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74. What is the Underworld? [2]
75. Where, especially, would Odysseus desire to go after death? [3]
76. P. 66,67
What tools does Calypso provide for Odysseus? [2]
77. What are the Pleiades? [2]
78. P. 67 Who is determined to make trouble for Odysseus? [2]
79. Define ‘ignominious.’ [1]
80. Who helps Odysseus to reach land? [2]
Book Six
P.74
The purple yarn in the Queen’s workbasket is significant. Purple dye was rare and
expensive, gleaned from shells the Phoenicians gathered. Only royalty could afford purple clothing
or yarn. To listeners of the bard, Homer, it symbolized the wealth (and a color) they could only
imagine.
81. P.78
Define ‘hoary.’ [1]
82. P.79
Define ‘quaffing.’ [1]
Book Seven
Remember, the traveling bard is story telling to people who will never see a throne room, never
have a servant pour wine for them, and who will live in obscurity for all of their
lives. There are no books; writing has just been reintroduced by the Phoenicians.
Note that Nausicaa’s nurse Eurymedusa was a prize: she is a slave. Throughout the archaic
world, slavery was accepted as the normal state of things. Aristotle questioned
slavery later:
“Others affirm that the rule of a master over slaves is contrary to nature, and that the distinction
between slave and freeman exists by law only, and not by nature; and being an
interference with nature is therefore unjust…But is there any one thus intended by
nature to be a slave, and for whom such a condition is expedient and right, or
rather is not all slavery a violation of nature? There is no difficulty in answering
this question, on grounds both of reason and of fact. For that some should rule
and others be ruled is a thing not only necessary, but expedient; from the hour of
their birth some are marked out for subjection, others for rule”.i
The conclusion is different than expected, isn’t it?
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83. P.82
Design a family tree for the characters mentioned here, from Poseidon to
Nausica. [6]
Odysseus sits among the ashes to symbolize his plight and supplicate the queen.
84. Who are the three ‘stern spinners’ and what are their names? [3]
85. P.85
On what basis does Alcinoos make this statement, claiming “we are akin to them
(gods)”? [2]
According to the myth, Zeus fell in love with a lovely princess named Europa. He assumed the
form of a bull, enchanted her, and swam with her on his back to Krete (Crete).
She bore three sons, Minos, Sarpedon and Rhadamanthys. Minos became king
of Krete, with a palace at Knossos. All K/Cretan rulers were later referred to as
‘Minos,’ much as all rulers in Egypt were called ‘Pharaoh.’ Minos and
Rhadamanthys were said to be the judges on the other side of the River Styx,
where Hermes guided souls after death (if their families had provided payment to
cross).
The Gaia mentioned here is Gaea: Mother Earth. She birthed a son, Uranos, whom she married.
They had many children: The Furies, Aphrodite, K/Cronos, Rhea, Titans and
Titanesses, plus an assortment of monsters. Kronos had Zeus and Hera (who
married). Poseidon and Pluto were their brothers.
Book Eight
86. P.90. Describe the day Odysseus spends with King Alcinoos. Start from this point, and
continue until the end of this chapter (several short paragraphs should suffice). [15]
87. P.91
Who was rude to Odysseus? [1]
88. Define ‘barbarous.’ This word comes from the sound foreigners made (i.e. “bar, bar”). [1]
‘Crookshank’ is a slang reference to Hephaistos.
89. P.95,96 What gifts do the Phaeacians give Odysseus? [3]
Epeios here is the same Epeios from The Iliad 23.665.
Classical Literature - The Odyssey
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90. P.98
What three things did the Trojans consider doing with the wooden horse
according to the bard, Demodocus? [3]
91. P.99
Poseidon’s threat to wreck a Phaeacian ship on a return voyage will be fulfilled in
Book Thirteen. What is the term for the writing technique which presages future events to
create suspense for the audience? [1]
Book Nine
In this book, we are introduced to the Cyclopes, son of Poseidon, Polyphemos. The story is retold
in Euripides’ play, Cyclopes, a satire. Satire is a literary work in which human vice or folly is
attacked through irony, derision, or wit.
92. Define ‘machination.’ [1]
93. Define ‘perdition.’ [1]
94. P. 110 What pride-filled mistake does Odysseus make during his escape from the son of
Poseidon? What will this enable Polyphemos to do (and make Poseidon Odysseus’
enemy)? [3]
Book Ten
95. P. 112 What gift does Aiolos give to Odysseus? [2]
Classical Literature - The Odyssey
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WEEK FOUR -----------------------------------
96. Define ‘pernicious.’ [1]
97. How long did Odysseus’ crew stay with Circe? [2]
98. P. 122, 23 Why is Odysseus traveling to Hades? [3]
Book Eleven
99. How does Oceanos serve as the world’s boundary (i.e., what is Oceanus?)? [2]
100.
P. 127 What kind of death does death by “Artemis Archeress” imply? [2]
101.
Who is Persephoneia? [3]
The literary term for this style of narrative, looking back on an event, is flashback.
The “seven gates” mentioned on page 129 are the seven gates of Thebes, a major Greek citystate. Theban cycle myths fill in the details of Thebes history (The Seven against
Thebes, by Aeschylus; Oedipus Rex, Oedipus at Colonus, and Antigone, by
Sophocles).
The mother of Oedipus is listed here as “Epicaste,” rather then “Jocasta.”
102.
Draw a family tree, including Leda, Tyndareos, and their four children. Do not
forget to include Zeus. [6]
103.
What famous pledge did Tyndareos require of his daughter’s suitors? [4]
104.
Notice the footnote on page 130: why does Zeus grant these two men immortal
life (on alternate days)? [3]
105.
Using several short paragraphs, tell the story of King Minos of Crete, his
daughter, Ariadne, and Theseus. [15]
Classical Literature - The Odyssey
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Book Twelve
106.
What is the power of the Sirens? [3]
The story of Hera guiding Jason and the Argonauts safely through the Moving Rocks is aptly
portrayed in videos by the same title. The Argonaut myth cycle is one of the main four.
107.
List the four Myth Cycles. [4]
108.
What is Scylla and what does she do? [3]
109.
P. 140 What is Charybdis (Kar rib dis) and what does she do? [3]
110.
P. 140 Who is Helios, and who shepherds his sheep and cattle? [3]
111.
[2]
P. 141 “warmed by the effulgence of my lord Helios Hyperionides,” paraphrase.
112.
P. 145 Who tells Helios that his cattle have been slain? [1]
113.
P. 145 What does Helios threaten to do if Zeus does not avenge him? [2]
Book Thirteen
114.
P. 151 What price will the Phaiacians pay for assisting the enemy of Poseidon to
Ithaca? [2]
115.
P. 154 Define ‘paragon.’ [1]
116.
P. 156 What is meant by the reference to the fate of Agamemnon (i.e., what was
the fate of Agamemnon?)? What comparison does Odysseus make between
Agamemnon’s homecoming and his own? [5]
117.
P. 156 How does Athena Brighteyes disguise Odysseus? [2]
It is interesting to note that Odysseus will be his own ‘Trojan Horse’ so to speak.
Book Fourteen
118.
In several short paragraphs, describe the events of this chapter. [15]
Classical Literature - The Odyssey
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Book Fifteen
P. 174 The “famous army against Thebes.” this refers to a story from the Theban myth cycle in
which two brothers fought for control of the city. They were born to Oedipus the king by
Jocasta. Oedipus later learned that his wife was his mother, that he had killed his own
father, and that his children were from this incestuous relationship. In shame of the truth
finally revealed after many years, he puts out his eyes with a brooch from the corpse of
his dead wife, who committed suicide in shame. The Oedipus Rex, a play by Sophocles,
tells the tragic story, from Apollo’s oracle to its fulfillment in tragedy, Grecian style.
Following are Oedipus at Colonus and Antigone.
The magical necklace referred to belonged to Harmonia, a daughter of Aphrodite and Ares, and
the first queen of Thebes. Made by Hephaistos, a woman who wore it stayed young
looking and beautiful forever, thus Oedipus married his mother not knowing her age.
P.174 Harmonia married Cadmus, a brother of Europa and the King of Tyre. Europa had been
carried off by Zeus to Crete and became the first Queen. She bore three sons to Zeus: Minos,
Rhadamanthys, and Sarpedon. Minos was became king of Crete, Rhadamanthys became a judge
in the Underworld, and Sarpedon died fighting in the Trojan War.
Zeus later gave her to the King of Tyre. Her son, Cadmus, built the great city of Thebes with its
high walls and seven gates.
119.
“when folks grow old in that country Apollo comes with Artemis,” what does the
swineherd imply by this (about death)? [3]
Book Sixteen
120.
P. 182 Why is Telemachos embarrassed to take Odysseus to his home? [4]
121.
P. 183 Explain the usage of “Odysseus Laertiades.” What does it tell us about
Odysseus (i.e., who is his father)? [2]
Book Seventeen
122.
P. 197 What happens to Odysseus’ dog, Argos, after he sees his master return
home? [2]
123.
P. 201 What hint is given here as to a possible reason for the code of hospitality
practiced? [3]
Book Eighteen
124.
P. 204 Why is the town beggar called Iros? [2]
125.
P. 207 “spilled the sacred drops from the cup”, explain. [1]
126.
P. 208 ‘Cythereia’ (or ‘Cythera’) refers to Aphrodite. What are the dominant
attributes of Cythereia? [2]
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127.
P. 208 Who are the “Graces” (Glossary)? [4]
Book Nineteen
128.
What ruse did Penelopeia use for three years to deceive the suitors? [3]
129.
P. 217 What test does Penelopeia apply to find out if the beggar is lying (what
are her three questions)? [3]
P. 221 Note the reference to Odysseus’ grandfather, Autolycos. Autolycos was
of the family of Hermes (the Roman Mercury). If you belong to this family it
implies you are crafty, can steal without being caught, and you are crafty, clever,
and persuasive.
Book Twenty
130.
P. 231 Why does Athena purposely provoke Odysseus? [5]
131.
P. 233 Why does the seer, Theoclymenos, leave Odysseus’ home? [2]
Book Twenty-one
132.
Using several short paragraphs, describe the events of this chapter. [15]
Book Twenty-two
p. 243 Execration is the act of cursing, or an appeal to some supernatural power to inflict evil on
someone or some group.
133.
P. 244 Who is identified as the ringleader and what are his ulterior motives in
wooing Penelopeia? [3]
Book Twenty-three
134.
Using several short paragraphs, summarize this chapter. [17]
Book Twenty-four
135.
i
Summarize this chapter in several short paragraphs. [18]
Aristotle, Politics, (Britannica Great Books, 1952), vol.9:Aristotle, chapters three and five, p.447.
Classical Literature - The Odyssey
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