Guided Reading Questions for Homer’s “Odyssey”
ODYSSEY 9
1. How does Odysseus introduce his name to the Phaeacians? What does he stress about
himself, and why?p.1210, ll 7-26 Odysseus states the epithet, “I am Laertes’ son, Odysseus…”
stressing that he is the son of Laertes and reinforcing that his lineage and family are important to
him. He continues on to point out that his reputation as cunning “in peace and war” goes to the
edge of the world and that he is from Ithaca which is one of the best places to live. He wants
King Alcinous and those attending the banquet to know how famous he is. This is an example of
his hubris.
2. What foolish thing did Odysseus' men do when they visited the Cicones How did these "fools"
turn about and become wise in the Cyclops scene p. 1212, (italics) Odysseus and his men raided
the Cicones, robbing and killing them, until the Ciconian army kills 72 of his men and drives the
rest out to sea. When Odysseus’ men go to the Cyclops cave, the do not wish to interact with the
Cyclops, they only want to quickly take the food and go.
3. How did Odysseus rescue his men from the land of the Lotus Eaters? Why was this necessary?
What does it tell the poem's audience about the hero and his relationship with his men? P.1212,
ll29-55. Odysseus sent two men and a runner (line 39) to find out what kind of creature lived
on the island. The rest of the men stayed with Odysseus on the beach eating and resting. He
personally “I drove them, all three wailing, to the ships, tied them down under their rowing
benches …” and they left. Odysseus is a strong leader who feels personally responsible for his
men and takes care of them. He neutralized the situation quickly, did not overreact and no one
was hurt. This shows strong leadership.
4. What kind of social life do the Cyclopes have? What does this tell us about how they interact
with outsiders? P.1213, lines 63-67, Cyclopes have no muster and no meeting, no consultation
or old tribal ways, but each one dwells in his own mountain cave dealing out rough justice to
wife and child, indifferent to what the others do…” They have no social life or sense of
community. They are loners and when they do have a family, they still do not socialize with
other Cyclopes. They will probably not follow the laws of xenia (hospitality) when meeting
outsiders.
5. What do the Cyclopes NOT have? What is the significance of all these negatives? P.1213,
ll63-67. They have no sense of community, no laws, and no tradition or tribal ways. Odysseus
describes them in this way to show a lack of respect for them because they seem to represent the
opposite of Odysseus who is loyal and puts his love of family above all else.
6. What prompts Odysseus to explore Polyphemus' cave? What does this tell us about his
character? His leadership? P. 1213, lines 70-75, He wants to find out if the Cylcopes are “wild
savages, and lawless, or hospitable and god fearing men.” This emphasizes Odysseus’ belief that
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he can handle whatever the Cyclops is. He stays in the cave despite his men’s request that they
take the cheeses, kids, and lambs and leave before the Cyclopes returnes. (lines 125-130).
Then he says he wants to see “the caveman, what he had to offer-no pretty sight, it turned out, for
my friends.” This foreshadows that his is not going to go well for his men. This is an example
of his Hubris. He is a brave leader, but sometimes his curiousity and arrogance put his men in
danger.
7. How are the customs of xenia (hospitality) parodied in the Cyclops scene? Pp. 1215-1218,
lines 170-281 The customs of xenia, hospitality, are parodied when rather than providing
Odysseus and his men with food, shelter, and protection, the Cyclops makes them his food and
holds them hostage.
8. Who is to blame for the death of Odysseus' men at the hands of the Cyclops? Why? Odysseus
is responsible because his hubris made him want to stay and see what type of man the Cyclops
was. If he had listened to his men, they would still be alive.
9. How did a pun save Odysseus and his men from the other Cyclopes? Pp.1216-1219 When
asked by Polyphemus what his name is, Odysseus replies that his name is “Nohbdy.” So when he
is blinded and yelling for help, he tells the other Cyclopes that “Nohbdy has ruined him” and
“Nohbdy” has blinded him. They leave telling him that it must be Zeus who is punishing
Polyphemus. Odysseus and his men are then able to get away without the Cyclopes catching
them.
10. What mistake does Odysseus make at the end of book 9 that costs his men their lives? Why
does he make this mistake? Pp. 1222-1223 , 1ines 411-473 Odysseus lets his pride, hubris, get
in the way and tells Polyphemus exactly who he is. “ Cyclops, if ever mortal man inquire how
you were put to shame and blinded, tell him Odysseus, raider of cities, took your eye: Laertes’
son, whos home ‘s on Ithaca!” This tells Polyphemus who to tell his father, Poseidon, is
responsible for blinding him and who should be punished. Zeus and Poseidon are after him now.
ODYSSEY BOOK XI AND XII
1. What kind of sacrifice does Odysseus offer to the dead? P. 1226, lines 1-9. Odysseus vows to
sacrifice a heifer and a black lamb. He sacrifices a “lam and ewe, letting their black blood
stream into the wellpit.”
2. Why do you think that Elpenor is the first shade (psyche) which Odysseus encounters?He was
a friend and one of Odysseus’ men. He has passed away and lies unburied. Because Odysseus
was his leader it is Odysseus’ responsibility to make sure that he is buried. P.1226-1227 and lines
24-59.
3. What does Teiresias tell Odysseus he must do to rid himself of the anger of Poseidon? Why do
you think this has to do with honoring the god? Pp. 12261229, lines 68-117. He must avoid
Helios’ beeves and “make fair sacrifice to Lord Poseidon: a ram, a bull, a great buck boar; turn
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back, and carry out pure hekatombs at home to all wide heaven’s lords, the undying gods, to each
in order.”
4. SKIP QUESTIONS 4-12 How is Odysse: us' reaction to his mother's shade similar to
Achilles' reaction to Patroclus' shade in Iliad 23? What does his mother tell him about the nature
of the dead?
5. What is the point of the scene when the shades of women appear to Odysseus? Why do you
suppose that Odysseus tells his hosts that he must stop his story at this point? Why does he agree
to continue his story? What theme is being stressed here?
6. SKIP THESE QUESTIONS!!!!How does the shade of Agamemnon reinforce information in
books 1 and 4 when the shade tells Odysseus of his homecoming ?
7. What advice does Agamemnon's shade offer to Odysseus? How does he compare and contrast
Clytemnestra and Penelope?
8. What is Achilles' shade most concerned about, and how does Odysseus make him happy?
How does this 'fit in' with general themes in the Odyssey?
9. Why did Telemonian Ajax' shade refuse to speak to Odysseus? What does this tell us about
the original audience of this poem?
10. What do Tityos, Tantalus, and Sisyphus have in common? What is the point of having them
appear in this scene?
11. How does Heracles differ from the other shades in this book? What did he look like? Does
his appearance have any relevance to Odysseus' own story? ow so? How not?
12. What causes Odysseus' interview with the dead to end so abruptly? What other Amyth does
this image conjure up? Is it relevant to the story at all?
ODYSSEY 12
13 . Circe warns Odysseus about the Sirens, Scylla, and Charybdis, and tells him how best to
survive hem. How does he follow her advice? Pp.1230-1236. Circe tells im to have his men put
beeswax in their ears so that they will not hear the sirens song. She also tells Odysseus to have
his men tie him to the mast so that he can hear the song and survive. He does this and they all
survive. When it comes to Scylla and Charybdis, Circe gives thim two options and says he must
choose himself. She tells him that he can go closer to one or the other, but either way he will lose
men. He must not fight them, but flee and take the loss to save some of his men. He “forgets”
the warning of Circe not to fight Scylla. (ll164-168
14. What is the Sirens' song? What about the song do you think is so appealing to Odysseus -judging from what you know about him already in this epic? Pp.1230 lines 4-10, The siren’s
song is one that is “crying beauty to bewitch men costing by ; woe to the innocent who hears
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that sound! He will not see his lady nor his children in joy, crowding about him, home from sea;
the Sirens will sing his mind away on their sweet meadow lolling.” They sing of beauty and
appeal to men who have been at sea and are desperate for the love and the touch of a woman.
15. Why does Odysseus not mention to his men Circe's warning about Scylla?Was this a wise
decision on his part? Why or why not? P.12334 italics and p.. 1235 lines 160-164. …they could
do nothing, They would have dropped their oars agin, in panic, to roll for cover under the
decking.” Odysseus does not tell his men about Circe’s warning regarding Scylla because he is
afraid they will panic and not continue to row which is the only way they will survive.
16. What was the most pitiable thing that Odysseus had ever seen What does this reveal about
Odysseus and his relationship with his men?p.1236 Lines 197-203. Odysseus describes his
feelings about the death of his men to Scylla as “deathly pity ran me through at that sight—far
the worst I ever suffered, questing the passes of the strange sea.” This reveals that he is pained
most by the death of these men because he cannot prevent it. Neither his wit nor his strength
could have prevented their deaths. In effect, he had to sacrifice them and was not as their leader
able to save or protect them.
17. Why do Odysseus and his men put in at Helios' island, when Circe and Teiresias both had
told Odysseus to avoid Thrinacia? Why does Odysseus not stop his men from killing Helios'
cattle? What does this say about Odysseus' relationship with his men?p. 1236, italics.
Odysseus’ men are driven by hunger to stop at the island of Thrinacia which is the Island of the
sun god Helios. They ignor e Odysseus’ orders/warnings and feast on the cattle. Odysseus is
their leader, but when faced with hunger or Odysseus’ wrath they choose to eat. A good
comparison is that of free will. He cannot make the choice for them, and there are more of them
than just him. However, it is a bit disturbing that he cannot use his wit to convince them to listen
in the same way that he saved them from the Cyclops.
Skip questions 18-20
18. What do Odysseus' men do in an attempt to lessen the sin which they commit against the sun
god's cattle? What does this say about the efficacy of prayer?
19. How did Odysseus know that Lampetie had tattled on his men to Helios, and that Helios had
gone to Zeus to get revenge
20. How does Odysseus escape from Charybdis for a second time? What image of him do we get
as a result?
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ODYSSEY 16
1. How do dogs help Odysseus recognize his son?p. 1242-1244 lines 6- , The dogs
recognize Telemachus “When Telemachus came, the wolvish troop of watchdogs only
fawned on him as he advanced..” and they only want his attention rather than growling at
him.
2. Why is the simile beginning at line 19 an appropriate one for this context?p. 1244, The simile
compares Eumaeus’ reunion with Telemachus to a father meeting with his only son after ten
years’ absence. The simile explains Euumaeus’ relationship with Telemachus: he had been like a
father to the boy. It develops the theme that family relationships are deep and enduring. It also
prepares us for Odysseus’ reunion with his son.
3. What dilemma does the disguised Odysseus represent to Telemachus at first ?
4. Where do you think that the Greek word "hubris" occurs in Telemachus' speech to Eumaeus ?
To whom is it applied?
5. How does Telemachus show respect for his father even before he knows his identity?p. 12441245, lines 49-50, When Telemachus enters the hut, Odysseus moves aside yielding the place he
is sitting to his son. Telemachus responds “Friend, sit down; we’ll find another chair in our own
hut. Here is the man to make one!” This means that he is kind to someone he does not know and
treats him with respect.
6. What role does Athena play in the recognition of Odysseus by Telemachus?page 1245 Athena
makes Odysseus look younger, clean shaven , and wearing clean clothes that befit his station.
Do not answer the second half of this question.How do the dogs react to her? Why do they react
thus?
7.SKIP these Questions 7 & 8. In the anagnorisis (recognition) central to this book, how does
Odysseus prove that he is Telemachus' father? P. Why does Telemachus not believe him at first?
Why does he finally believe him? What does this say about Telemachus' character?
8. What non-verbal signal does Athena give to Odysseus to let him know that she wants him to
come out of Eumaeus' hut ? What non-verbal signal will Odysseus give to Telemachus to signal
that he should hide the weapons ? What do these non-verbal communications tell us?
ODYSSEY 17
1. How does the goatherd Melanthius is just like the suitors because he assumes that Odysseus is
dead and therefore does not take care of his dog but treats it like rubbish. P. 1248-1249. He is
disrespecting Odysseus and his household. How do Odysseus and Eumaeus react to his
abuse?They are saddened, but do not let on that Odysseus is alive and well.
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2. How does a dog almost create a premature anagnorisis?The dog which is on its deathbed “tries
to wag his tail” and had “pricked up his ears and lifted up his muzzle” when he heard Odysseus’
voice.
Skip Questions 3 & 4
3. Who is the only Suitor not to give food to the beggar Odysseus? What does his name mean?
Why is it appropriate? What does he do instead of give alms?
4. How is Odysseus' reaction to Antinous' abuse similar to his reaction to Melanthius earlier in
the book? What is the reaction of the other Suitors to Antinous' action?
ODYSSEY 21-22
ODYSSEY 21
1. In what way does the epic associate Odysseus' bow with xenia? Odysseus’ bow represents a
contest which will result in entertainment and a prize for one of the suitors, Penelope as his wife.
2. Why did Eumaeus and the cowherd cry as they set out the bow and axes before the Suitors?
3. What is "out of character" about Telemachus' public reaction to Penelope's announcement of
the Bow Competition? Why does he encourage the Suitors to take part?p. 1254 italics,
Telemachus wants all of the suitors to take part because he knows his father is there. He also
knows that the weaker suitors will not be able to string the box much less shoot it. He is also
setting the scene to get Penelope to leave the men to handle the contest.. preparing for the
slaughter of the suitors.
4. How does Odysseus reveal his identity to the cowherd and swineherd? P.1252 lines 46-93. He
reveals his identity because he realizes that he and Telemachus are outnumbered by the suiotrs
and that need the help of trusted men.Why does he do so at the moment he does? The plan is
about to be put into action to slaughter the suitors.What are his instructions to these faithful
servants?He tells them to tell the women to lock their doors tight and not come in. He tells
Piloetius to go to the outer gate and lock ot and throw the cross bar and lash it. This is to keep the
suitors in when the bloodbath occurs.
5skip this quesiton. What reason does the disguised Odysseus give for wanting to try to string the
bow? What is Antinous' reaction? Why does Antinous tell the story about the wine-crazed
centaurs?
6.skip this question What is Eurymachus afraid of? How does Penelope put him in his place?
7.skip this question In book 21, Odysseus raises and lowers his brows. What do these body
movements mean in their contexts?
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ODYSSEY 22
8skip this question. In what ways does this book recall the Iliad? Cite some specifics.
9. Why does Odysseus invoke Apollo p. 1256 Apollo was the supporter and protector of archers
and the bow was his sacred weapon.
10. What three crimes of the Suitors does Odysseus mention when he begins the slaughter ?
p. 1258, lines 34-40, Odysseus says that the suiotrs are cowards who stole his goods and tried to
take his wife because they believed he was dead. And they dishonored his house by twisting his
maids to serve their beds.
11. How did Athena help Odysseus and Telemachus in their battle against the suitors?p.12601261. ( italics ) When six of the suitors attack Odysseus, Athena deflects their arrows and then
the shape of her shield becomes visible above the hall which lets the suitors know that the gods
are intervening on behalf of Odysseus.
12. Skip this questionWhich suppliants does Odysseus spare in the battle in the hall, and why?
Which suppliants are not spared? Why do you think these are not spared?
13. Find two similes in book 22 and comment on their appropriateness You only need one
example.p. 1261 italics
Odysseus and his men are compared to falcons who show no mercy to the flocks of birds they
pursue and capture.
14Skip this question. What role does Eurycleia play in the bloody battle in the hall and its
aftermath?
ODYSSEY 23-24
ODYSSEY 23
1. skip this questionWhat is Penelope's first reaction to Eurycleia's announcemernt that Odysseus
really was home ?
2. What is Penelope's second reaction to the notion that Odysseus has come home and killed the
suitors? What does this tell us about her character?
3. What does Homer imply about Penelope's true beliefs about the identity of the man who killed
the suitors
4. Why do you think that Odysseus smiles when Penelope says "There are secrets between us no
one else knows" ?This is referring to when she tells them to move the bed outside the chamber
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and Odysseus knows that only he and Penelope know that the bed cannot be moved. P. 1264 line
54
5. SKIP THESE QUESTIONS!!How is music used to deceive in book 23?
6. Why is the simile inlines 81-91 so apt? p.1265, Penelope is compared to a safe shore, where a
tired, shipwrecked swimmer comes to rest after a monumental struggle for survival in
tumultuous seas. It is apt because Odysseus has been on a long journey at sea trying to make it
home to the “safety” of Penelope.
7. Why is the night so long in this book? What happens during this long night?
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