Study Guide: Homer’s Odyssey
BACKGROUND
What does the title The Odyssey mean?
Aristotle’s summary 63-word summary of 12,000 lines of verse: “A certain man has
been abroad many years; he is alone, and the god Poseidon keeps a hostile eye on him. At
home the situation is that suitors for his wife’s hand are draining his resources and
plotting to kill his son. Then, after suffering storm and shipwreck, he comes home, makes
himself known, attacks the suitors: he survives and they are destroyed.”
What is an epithet? Define the term, explaining why Homer uses them.
What does the term “in media res” mean? How does this affect the telling of The
Odyssey? Explain.
STRUCTURE OF THE ODYSSEY
Books 1-4: Telemachus leaves Ithaca to try to discover some news of his father.
Books 5-8: The reader meets Odysseus on the isle of Calypso. Odysseus leaves, is
shipwrecked, and is washed ashore on the island of Phacacia, where he is given a
banquet at court.
Books 9-12: Odysseus tells the court of Phaeacia of his adventures, taking the reader
back to Troy and recounting the story of how he got from there to the island of the
goddess Calypso.
Books 13-24: Odysseus finally returns to Ithaca, where he must fulfill his quest to
become reunited with his wife and son and to reclaim his kingdom from the men who
threaten it.
BOOK ONE: Athena Inspires the Prince
Who are the following characters? What role does each play in the first book?
Odysseus
Zeus
Athena
Poseidon
Telemachus
1. What is foreshadowed of Odysseus’ adventures in the opening lines?
2. How does Zeus define Odysseus?
3. How does Athena appear to Telemachus?
4. What is the status in Ithaca—Odysseus’ kingdom—when the epic begins?
Explain.
5. What does Telemachus believe about his father’s fate?
6. What prophecy does Athena make to Telemachus?
Describe Athena’s epiphany. What effect does it have on Telemachus?
BOOK TWO: The Assembly meets and Telemachus tells the suitors they will be
punished. He also announces his plan to search for Odysseus. Athena helps Telemachus
organize a crew.
BOOK THREE: Telemachus meets King Nestor of Pylos. Nestor tells Telemachus to
visit Sparta, and gives Telemachus supplies and the aid of his son, Pisistratus.
BOOK FOUR: The King and Queen of Sparta are celebrating when Telemachus and
friend come to their door. They invite them in, feed them, and tell stories with them.
They recognize Telemachus as Odysseus’ son and offer to help them get back to Ithaca.
Back in Ithaca, the suitors begin to plot to ambush Telemachus when he returns from his
journey.
BOOK FIVE: The gods meet on Mount Olympus to discuss the fate of Odysseus. They
decide, in the absence of Poseidon, to allow Odysseus to return home. The news is
delivered to Calypso, who is holding Odysseus captive, and she grudgingly allows him to
leave. As he is sailing home, Poseidon sees what the other gods have done and sinks his
ship. Odysseus swims to safety.
BOOKS SIX, SEVEN, and EIGHT: Odysseus is discovered by Nausicaa, who takes
him to the palace of her father. There, after wining and dining and fun, Demodocus sings
a song of Odysseus. This causes Odysseus to weep, and he tells his story.
BOOK NINE: In the One-Eyed Giant’s Cave
Who are the following characters? What role does each play in this book?
Cicones
Ismarus
Lotus-eaters
Maron
Laertes
Telemus
1. What aspects of Odysseus’ character are revealed in this book?
2. What epithet is used for morning on the third day of Odysseus’ journey? What
epithets can you find for each of the characters in this book?
3. What happens to Odysseus’ men at their next stop?
4. What characteristics are attributed to the race of Cyclops? (see lines 118-128)
5. How does Odysseus’ greed come back to haunt him?
6. In what ways do Odysseus’ lies benefit him? Explain with examples.
7. How do Odysseus’ arrogance and pride help seal his fate with Poseidon? Explain.
BOOK TEN: The Bewitching Queen of Aeaea
Identify the following characters from Book Ten:
Aeolus
Circe
Eurylochus
1. How does the curiosity of Odysseus’ men damage them on their journey?
2. How does Circe greet Odysseus’ men? Explain.
3. How is Odysseus aided by the gods in defense of Circe?
4. What does Odysseus trade for the safety of his men?
5. What does Odysseus demand before taking part in Circe’s feast? How does this
demand reveal something of Odysseus’ character? Explain.
6. What task does Circe give Odysseus as the book ends?
BOOK ELEVEN: The Kingdom of the Dead. Odysseus travels to Hades, as Circe has
instructed him to do. He sees many of the soldiers that died in Troy. Odysseus relates
these stories to his Phaecian hosts and they send him on his way.
BOOK TWELVE: The Cattle of the Sun
Identify the following characters. What role does each play in the book?
Aeaea
Sirens
Amphitrite
Scylla
Charybdis
Thrinacia
Helios
Why does Odysseus’ crew return to Aeaea? How does this benefit them?
What advice does Circe give Odysseus for conquering the Sirens? What advice does
she give for defeating Scylla and Charbydis?
What lesson is taught through Odysseus’ experience with the Sirens?
What lesson do Odysseus’ men learn from their actions on Thrinacia?
After Zeus strikes Odysseus’ ship, what fate awaits Odysseus and his men? Explain.
ESSAY RESPONSE: What morals are taught through the experiences of Odysseus
and his men on their journey home? Using specific discussion of these events,
explain the lessons that Odysseus and his men learn from the experiences chronicled
in Book Nine through Twelve. NOTE: quote usage is not required, but be specific in
your discussion of the characters, locations and the morals taught.
Use the space below to create a brief outline. This 2- to 3-page, typed response
should discuss multiple morals from these books.
BOOKS THIRTEEN to SIXTEEN: The Phaeacians give Odysseus a ship and gifts.
Odysseus arrives at Ithaca and is disguised by Athena as beggar. Odysseus meets his
swineherd and reveals his identity to Telemachus, but not Penelope or Laertes.
Telemachus and Odysseus return to Odysseus' house.
BOOK SEVENTEEN: Telemachus returns to his mother and the soothsayer
Theoclymenus tells her that Odysseus is disguised but on the island. Odysseus sees Argus
the hound, who dies once he sees his master. In the house, Antinous hits Odysseus with a
footstool. Odysseus is summoned by Penelope that night.
BOOK EIGHTEEN: Irus, a beggar, arrives at Odysseus' house and bullies him. Antinous
and the suitors arrange a boxing match between the two, and Odysseus breaks Irus' jaw.
Odysseus encounters Eurymachus, who hits Odysseus with a stool.
BOOK NINETEEN: Penelope and Her Guest
Identify the following characters. What role does each play in the book?
Melantho
Eurynome
Aethon
Autolycus
What preparations do Odysseus and his son make in order to seek revenge?
How do Odysseus’ words teach Melantho a lesson?
What excuse did Penelope make to delay choosing one of the suitors as her
husband?
What story does Odysseus invent for Penelope about Aethon’s past?
How did Odysseus get his scar? What role does this scar play when Odysseus
returns to his home?
What are the details of Penelope’s dream? What does the dream foreshadow?
What contest does Penelope devise to select a worthy husband? Explain.
BOOK TWENTY: Athena appears to Odysseus and tells him that she will help him
against the suitors. Odysseus receives a sign of Zeus' favor. Odysseus weeds out the loyal
servants from the disloyal. A suitor hits Odysseus with a bone, and Odysseus delivers a
warning that the suitors will pay for their deeds, but is unheeded.
BOOK TWENTY-ONE: Odysseus Strings His Bow
Identify the following characters. What role does each play in the book?
Eumaeus
What significance does Odysseus’ bow hold for him? Explain its origins.
What are Antinous’s public and private thoughts about the contest? (21.98-115)
With what words does Odysseus convince the suitors that he should be allowed to
try the bow?
What command does Telemachus give Eurycleia? Why?
What happens when Odysseus, still in disguise, takes the bow?
What omen follows Odysseus’ grasp on his own bow?
BOOKS TWENTY-TWO and TWENTY-THREE: Slaughter in the Hall; The Great
Rooted Bed
Identify the following characters:
Melanthius
Mentor
Odysseus says, “…another target’s left that no one’s hit before…” (22.6). What
becomes of this “target”?
How does Eurymachus attempt to bribe Odysseus? What effect does this have?
How does Athena inspire Odysseus’ courage to fight the suitors? Explain.
What epic similes are used in the following lines? Discuss the images in each:
(311-324):
(426-430):
(494-499):
What fate awaits the unfaithful women servants?
How do you think Odysseus would be treated in today’s society for taking revenge
as he does in The Odyssey? Explain your response.
How does Penelope first react to news of Odysseus’ return?
What “living proof” does Odysseus give that he is actually Penelope’s husband?
According to the prophecy, how will Odysseus die?