A Student Study guide
Nellist/9th English
Name: ___________________________________________
Reading Schedule
What is due
When it is due
Notes
Quiz Grade Tracker
Keep track of your quiz grades below. If you are finding that you are only getting half of the answers
correct every time, then you can only expect to get a similar grade on the Unit Test. If you aren’t doing so
well, then you need to go back and read again, or spend time after school getting help,
Quiz/Assignment
Grade
2
Literary Terms to Know:
Myth:
Epic:
Epic Poem:
Hero Myth:
Elements of a Hero Myth:
Hero Myths: myths that show people how to behave. Heroes are role models for appropriate
values and behaviors.
Characteristics of a Hero:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
3
A QUEST is…
1.
2.
a.
b.
c.
b.
3.
a.
b.
c.
d.
4.
a.
b.
c.
5.
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
f.
4
The Trojan War
Directions: Listen the following lecture and watch movie clip of
the Trojan War. Take notes that you can use for the Unit Exam.
Lecture:
Homer (Is he the man, the myth, or the legend?):
-
Regarded as the greatest poet of all time. Did he exist?
-
Wrote _________________________________________________________________
-
Popular theory is that he existed:
-
o
Born ____________________________________________________________
o
He was a bard – which means ________________________________________
o
_________________________________________________________________
He may have been a myth:
o
Theory #1: ________________________________________________________
o
Theory #2:________________________________________________________
o
Theory #3: ________________________________________________________
The Trojan War:
-
Not a real event (at least not as Homer wrote it).
-
Battle between __________________________________________________________
-
10 year war. ___________________________________________________________
-
Greeks fought in neighboring towns to Troy, defeating them as they went.
-
Death: ________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
-
Odysseus – ____________________________________________________________
The Trojan Horse: Movie Notes
-
What was it? What did it look like?
-
How did the Greeks use the horse to get into Troy’s walls?
-
Once inside Troy, how did the Greeks fight and kill the Trojans?
-
In your opinion, how successful was the Trojan Horse? Why, why not?
** We will pick up from this story here: Odysseus’s “hero quest” home.
5
The Odyssey: Journal Notes Assignment
Directions:
You are to write a total of 3 journal assignments: 1 from each reading section from
the prompts below. Even though you may write your opinion or have the
opportunity to be creative, you are still expected to write well. Be sure to plan out
your response before writing it down into a final copy.
Guidelines:
a. Each journal should get its own page.
b. Include a creative cover.
c. Make sure you follow the directions for the journal prompt you choose.
Journal Prompts:
Pg. 599 – 616 (pick 1)
 Write a paragraph from the viewpoint of one of the men stuck in Cyclops’s cave. What kind
of emotions would he have? Why does he feel the way he does? How would he feel
towards Odysseus?
 How angry is Cyclops in this section? Write a paragraph letter as Cyclops to Poseidon telling
Poseidon how angry you are. Think about how Cyclops would react or how he would say
what he has to say. Don’t forget who Poseidon is to Cyclops!!
Pg. 617-629 (pick 1)
 Why would Odysseus choose to sail more towards Scylla than Charybdis? What is his
rationale? What does he risk? Write a paragraph.
 Google some information on Odysseus. Take some notes (I will be looking for these) and
write a short paragraph (6+ sent.) explaining what you found. What is most interesting
about Odysseus?
Pg. 631-644 (pick 1)
 Write a paragraph journal entry from the viewpoint of Penelope (before Odysseus returns
home). How does she feel about the suitors? What might she have said in her diary about
the Weaving Contest?
 Write a poem (maybe even a Blues poem) from the viewpoint of Argos (before Odysseus
returns home). You’ll have to pretend that a dog can write, and speak English, but what
kind of emotions might he have? Your poem must be at least 15 lines, well written, with
clear poetic devices (simile, rhythm through repetition, tone, etc.).
6
Ms Nellist’s famous Reading Check Questions:
Pages 599 - 616
1. Why are Odysseus’ men vulnerable when the Cicones attack?
2. What happens to the men who eat the Lotus plant?
3. When the Cyclops asks about his ship, what does Odysseus tell him?
4. Why does Odysseus refrain from killing Cyclops?
5. Why do none of the other Cyclopes come when Polyphemus cries for help?
Pages 617 - 630
1. How does Odysseus see to it that his men cannot hear the voices of the Sirens?
2. Identify Scylla and Charybdis.
3. Why do the men disobey Odysseus’ orders on the island of the sun god?
4. What offerings are made to the gods?
5. Where does Odysseus come ashore after drifting in the sea for nine days?
Pages 631 - 636
1. How does Athena transform Odysseus?
2. What trick does Telemachus suspect?
3. What disguise will Odysseus assume when he comes to the palace?
4. What weapons does Odysseus ask his son to put aside? Why?
Pages 637 - 644
1. How does Argos recognize Odysseus?
2. What is significant about Argos as a character?
3. Why does Antinous strike Odysseus?
4. Why does Penelope send for the beggar?
5. What does the beggar predict will happen?
Pages 645 - 650
1. What sign does Zeus send as an omen?
2. Who is the first suitor to be slain?
3. How is the first suitor killed?
4. How does Eurymachus try to bargain for his life? What does he say he will do for
Odysseus?
5. How does Odysseus hold off the suitors when they attempt to rush him?
Pages 651 - 653
1. How does Athena once again transform Odysseus?
2. Why does Odysseus accuse Penelope of being hardhearted?
3. Why is Penelope so cautious?
4. How does Penelope test Odysseus one last time to be sure that it is really him?
7
Literary Terms:
Setting
Point of View
Irony
Foreshadow
Simile/Metaphor
Imagery
8
Literary Terms:
Characters and characterizations
Odysseus
Penelope
Telemachus
Circe
Calypso
Scylla
Charybdis
Polyphemus
Helios
9
Aeolus
God of Wind; gives Odysseus a bag with all the winds
in it except the one to take them to Ithaca.
Sirens
Antinous
Eurymachus
Eumaeus
Eurycleia
Laertes
Argos
Odysseus’ faithful dog – waits for his master for 20
years.
10
Literary Term:
Theme
1. Respect the gods:
2. Loyalty (to family and friends):
3. Intelligence:
4. Hospitality:
5. Journey:
11
Odysseus Trip Tracker:
1. Troy:
2. Land of the Cicones:
3. Land of the Lotus Eaters:
4. Island of the Cyclops:
Polyphemus’ Curse
1.
2.
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
12
5. Island of Aeolus:
6. Land of the Laestrygonians:
7. Circe’s Island:
8. Land of the Dead:
9. Circe’s Island (2nd time):
10. Sirens:
11. Scylla and Charybdis:
12. Island of the Cattle of the Sun God:
13. Calypso’s Island:
13
14. Land of the Phaeacians:
15. Odysseus Returns to Ithaca:
Washed up on Shore:
Telemachus:
Argos:
14
ITHACA continued…
The Suitors:
Penelope and the Weaving Contest:
The Challenge:
Odysseus’ Revenge:
Penelope Tests Odysseus
THE ENDING:
15
The Odyssey
Human Comic Strip Project
Introduction: To review for the Unit Test, let’s do some “technologically advanced” acting.
Steps
1. Pick your group members (4-5, I will allow more if the scene needs it – please see me).
You will need 3-4 actors/actresses and 1 camera man. See the responsibilities below.
2. As a group, decide on a scene from the story to “act out.” Your scene needs to be long
enough to complete step 3, and require all of the actors/actresses.
3. Create a series of “arrangements” for the important parts of the scene. Imagine your
arrangements to be like human versions of comic strips. Take pictures of your group in
those arrangements. You should have a total of 5-8 arrangements/pictures.
4. Upload your pictures to the computer. Input one picture per slide on PowerPoint, as
shown in class.
5. Under each slide, insert a “text box” and type a 3+ sentence description of this particular
slide and what is going on in the story. Each member of the group can work on one
slide each (you may have to pass the camera around to upload the photos).
6. Print out your slide, and as a group compile the “slide show” in order. Number your
slides. See me for a paper clip to turn it in.
7. Once you are all satisfied with the project (and only after you have turned it in for a
grade), delete all of the photos on your camera and return it to me.
Responsibilities:
Camera man:
- Responsible for the success of the group. Watch the clock!
- Makes final decisions for the group.
- Makes adjustments to each shot to be sure that the pictures are accurate.
Actors/actresses:
- Responsible for accuracy of character and actions of character.
- Brings/makes props for the photo shoot day.
- Listening to the all groups members and camera man.
16
Odysseus as a hero:
17
18
Critical Lens
Your Task:
Write a critical essay in which you connect “The Odyssey,” by Homer, and O’ Brother, Where Art
Thou? to the Critical Lens below. In your essay, provide a valid interpretation of the statement,
agree or disagree with the statement as you have interpreted it, and support your opinion using
specific references to appropriate literary elements from both stories. You may use scrap paper to
plan your response.
Critical Lens:
“A
hero is an ordinary individual who finds the strength to persevere
and endure in spite of overwhelming obstacles.”
- Christopher Reeve
Guidelines:
Be sure to:
 Mention the title and author. (intro)
 Explain what the quote means in your own words. (intro)
 Agree or disagree with the quote. (intro)
 Support your opinion using example from the story. (body)
 Make specific reference to literary terms (for example: theme, characterization, setting, point
of view, irony, etc.) to prove your point. (body)
 Organize your ideas in a three-paragraph structure. (intro, body, conclusion)
**Tip – use the fill-in-the-blank outline!
DUE DATE:
19
Notes
20