Homer’s Odyssey
Study Guide
As we read Homer’s Odyssey, answer each question on the following pages in complete sentences. Write your answers on the
handout. Use the back of the sheet if you need more room. For the vocabulary sections, write the part of speech and definition
of each word.
Part 1: Reading Comprehension
1. Identify the following characters:
a. Odysseus:
b. Penelope:
c. Telemachus:
d. Calypso:
e. Zeus:
f. Athena:
g. Polyphemus:
h. Poseidon:
2. Why does Calypso free Odysseus from her island?
3. How would you describe Odysseus’ feelings about Ithaca, his home?
4. What do Odysseus and his men do to the Cicones?
5. How many men does Odysseus send to search the land of the Lotus Eaters?
6. Is the Lotus flower dangerous? Why or why not?
7. Do the Cylcopes live together or alone? Where?
8. Describe Polyphemus’ daily routine. Where does he live? What does he do daily?
9. Explain the metaphor in lines 82-83 on p. 967. Why is it appropriate for the Cyclops?
10. What is the Homeric simile in lines 188-191 describing?
11. Why doesn’t Odysseus kill Polyphemus while he sleeps?
12. Briefly summarize how Odysseus and his men escape from the Cyclops.
13. Explain the irony of Polyphemus’ words in lines 363-378 on p. 975.
14. What do lines 456-461 on p. 977 foreshadow for Odysseus?
15. What does Polyphemus pray to Poseidon for?
16. In what other lines have you encountered the figure of speech in lines 488-489? Why might the poet have
repeated it?
Part 1: Vocabulary
1. plunder:
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2. valor:
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3. guile:
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4. ponderous: ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Homer’s Odyssey
Study Guide
Part 2: Reading Comprehension
1. Identify the following characters:
a. Aeolus:
b. Circe:
c. Hermes
d. Tiresias:
e. Helios:
f. sirens:
g. Scylla:
h. Charybdis:
2. What does Aeolus give Odysseus?
3. Who warns Odysseus about Helios’ cattle?
4. What type of figurative language is exhibited in line 1 on p. 981?
5. Who gives Odysseus instructions about surviving the sirens?
6. How is Odysseus able to survive the sirens?
7. What part of Circe’s warning does Odysseus leave out?
8. How are hunger and thirst personified in line 198 on p. 988? Why is this comparison appropriate?
9. With whom, or what, are Eurylochus and the other men in conflict?
10. Why do all of Odysseus’ men die?
11. Who caused the bolt of lightning that struck and destroyed Odysseus’ ship?
12. What type of figurative language is exhibited in lines 334-335? How do these lines make the men appear?
13. What type of figurative language is exhibited in line 354-355? What is the effect of using figurative
language?
Part 2: Vocabulary
shun: ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
ardor: ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
tumult: ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
shroud: ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Homer’s Odyssey
Study Guide
Part 3: Reading Comprehension
1. Identify the following characters:
a. Eumaeus:
b. Antinous:
2. How does Athena disguise Odysseus?
3. How long was Odysseus away from home?
4. Has Penelope been faithful to Odysseus during his time away?
5. What do we learn about Odysseus in lines 41-42 on p. 996?
6. Why did Telemachus not believe his father at first? What type of irony is illustrated in this scene? Explain.
7. Which character does not show Odysseus hospitality?
8. What do we learn about Antinous’ personality in Part 3?
9. What do we learn about Penelope’s personality in Part 3?
10. What type of figurative language is exhibited in lines 95-102 on p. 1002? Explain the significance of this comparison.
11. What characteristic that Odysseus and Penelope share is illustrate in lines 141-142 on p. 1003?
12. How does Odysseus prove his strength and shame the suitors?
13. To what is Homer comparing Odysseus in lines 28-37? What do these comparisons contribute to his
characterization?
Part 3: Vocabulary
cower:
impudence:
guise:
renowned:
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Part 4: Reading Comprehension
1. Identify the following characters:
a. Eurymachus:
b. Apollo:
c. Eurycleia:
2. What does Eurymachus say the suitors will do if Odysseus will spare their lives?
3. Who joins Odysseus in his fight against the suitors?
4. How does Eurycleia recognize Odysseus?
5. What is Penelope’s final test for Odysseus?
6. List some themes of Homer’s Odyssey.
Part 4: Vocabulary
jostle:
implacable:
lavish:
aloof
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