The Odyssey
Name_______________________
Book Twelve
(Page 928)
1. While in the Underworld, who is Odysseus surprised to see?
2. When Odysseus returns to Circe’s island she warns him against these singing
harpies. Who are they?
3. What must his men do to escape from hearing their deadly song?
4. What option does Circe give Odysseus and what precautions must he take if he
decides to do this?
5. When they escape the Siren’s song what will they next encounter?
6. What two obstacles must they next escape?
7. Describe Scylla:
8. Describe Charybdis:
9. What did Circe warn Odysseus about using?
10. Lastly, she warned him about Helios’ island. What was her advice?
11. (Page 936, lines 160-162) How does Odysseus explain his decision to conceal
part of Circe’s prophecy?
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12. What Homeric Simile does Odysseus compare Scylla’s attack on his men to?
(lines 193-199)
13. Who punished his crew when they ate Helios’ cattle
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The Homecoming (Page 943)
Words to Know
AloofCommandeer Contemptible Desolation Dithering Frenzy Gall Implacable Justification Omen Plunder Restitution Revelry Throng Wiliest -
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1. King Alcinous helps Odysseus return home. Who meets Odysseus when he lands
ashore on Ithaca?
2. What news does she tell him?
3. Odysseus disguises himself as a _____________________ and visits the palace.
4. He meets these two rude suitors:
a.
b.
5. Odysseus has a tearful reunion with ______________________,his son, and they
make a plan to avenge their family honor.
6. Penelope does not know Odysseus has returned and has given up hope. What
does she propose?
Grice’s Notes (Not in the Text)
Penelope has been a loyal and faithful wife these twenty long years. When Odysseus
left Ithaca to fight in Troy, Telemachus was just a baby. She promised Odysseus that if
he had not returned home by the time Telemachus grew his first beard, she would assume
Odysseus was dead and she would remarry. Time is running out when Odysseus returns.
Odysseus’ finds his home overrun by suitors who believe him to be dead and want to
marry Penelope and take Odysseus’ wealth. The suitors have been freeloaders who have
taken advantage of the law of hospitality. Remember Ithaca has only a few young men
and old men left since the war, so Penelope has had no one to send the suitors away.
To stall the men, Penelope has requested that they give her time to weave a tapestry as
a shroud for her father-in-law’s grave. Every day she works at her weaving and every
night she secretly removes the threads she had woven that day.
Loyalty is a major theme in this part of the narrative epic. Not only has Penelope and
some of his servants been loyal, but when Odysseus returns home he sees his favorite
hunting dog, now over twenty years old. The dog is lying in a dung pile, covered in flies,
and so old he can barely move. The dog has waited for his master’s return. Although
Odysseus is disguised as a beggar, the dog Argus, recognizes him, wags his tail and then
sadly dies. The dog’s terrible condition and death are symbolic of both the decayed state
of Odysseus’ home since he has been away and the loyalty his family has shown him.
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The Test of the Bow
Book Twenty-one (page 944)
1. What do we learn of Penelope’s feelings toward Odysseus and toward the suitors?
2. Explain the rules for the archery contest:
3. Who is the first suitor to speak?
4. What is foreshadowed will happen to Antinous?
5. Who does Odysseus go to and request help from?
6. What does he ask them?
7. Whey they agreed he revealed his identity and promise them these three things:
8. What did he show them as proof of his identity?
9. What are their orders?
10. Page 949, Lines 113-121 Summarize what Eurymachus is saying:
11. What does Odysseus request on page. 950?
12. What is Antinous’ reaction?
13. How would you describe the way the suitors treat the old swineherd? ( lines 153157).
14. Line 173-178. Why does Eumaeus say that the orders for Eurycleia to lock the
women’s door came from Telemachus?
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15, What Homeric Simile is used to describe the ease in which Odysseus strung the bow:
16. What sign does Zeus send when the suitors realize that the beggar has strung the
bow?
17. After Odysseus shoots the arrow through every socket ring, explain the irony in the
lines about cooking the lordships’ meal.
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