“The Odyssey”
Review Questions
E102
Postelli
Book 16
1. Where is Odysseus? Why isn’t Odysseus recognizable?
2. Where do Odysseus and Telemachus meet for the first time?
3. Is Penelope remarried?
4. How did Odysseus change? Who changed him?
5. What does Odysseus tell Telemachus?
6. Did Telemachus believe the man was Odysseus at first?
7. How long had Odysseus been gone?
Book 17
1. Who is Argos?
2. How was Argos treated by the suitors?
3. What did Eumaeus say about Odysseus?
4. What happened to Argos at the end of book 17?
5. How do the suitors treat Odysseus? How does Penelope treat Odysseus?
Book 19
1. How does Odysseus respond to Penelope’s question about who he was?
2. What excuse does he give for not answering?
3. What does Penelope say happened to her looks?
4. What 3 pieces of information does Penelope ask Odysseus for?
5. What does the “beggar” tell Penelope about Odysseus?
6. Who recognizes Odysseus first? How does this happen?
Book 21
1. What is the challenge Penelope gives the suitors?
2. What does Odysseus ask the swineherd and the cowherd? Do they know
they are talking to Odysseus? How do they respond?
3. What secret does Odysseus tell the swineherd and the cowherd? What does
Odysseus promise them?
4. How did Odysseus prove he was Odysseus?
5. What instructions did Odysseus give them?
6. What had Telemachus done with the suitors’ weapons?
7. Who completed Penelope’s task?
Book 22
1. Why does Odysseus deal with Antinous first?
2. Describe what happened to Antinous.
3. How do the suitors respond to Antinous’ death? Do they realize Odysseus is
going to kill them all?
4. How does Eurymachus try to save the suitors (including himself)?
5. What 3 other people fight on Odysseus’ side?
6. What appeared that made the suitors stampede?
7. What does Odysseus order the maids who betrayed him to do? What finally
happens to them?
Book 23
1. Does Penelope accept Odysseus right away?
2. What does Penelope tell Eurycleia to do with Odysseus’ bed? How does
Odysseus respond?
3. Why couldn’t Odysseus’ bed be moved?
4. What does Penelope do when she finds out Odysseus knows about the bed?
Book 24
1. What is Odysseus’ “one more duty”?
2. Why does Odysseus tell his father to rejoice?
3. What 2 evidences of proof does Odysseus give (to prove he is Odysseus)?
4. What happens when the families of the dead suitors arrive?
5. Who ends the feud once and for all?