Odyssey Part I Review Sheet
I.
CHARACTERS. List examples of actions or words from the
book that show each of the following traits possessed by
Odysseus.
 Proud; conceited – brags & taunts to Cyclops, says his fame
extends to the heavens to the King of Phaeacia, is ’d by Circe &
Calypso (goddesses)
 Brave; unflinching – speaks to the giant Cyclops, saves himself
from Zeus’ storm, resists the Lotus
 Ruthless – plunders Cicones, doesn’t warn crew about Scylla
(sacrifices 6 men), endangers ships while taunting Cyclops,
stabbing Polyphemus’s eye out.
 Clever; intelligent – the plan to escape the Cyclops (“nohbdy”),
only sent 3 men to investigate Lotus Eaters, tied to mast to
listen to Sirens
 Curious; adventurous – wants to listen to the Sirens, wants to
see the Cyclops
II.
SETTING. Describe the setting of Part I.
*Mediterranean Islands
*After the Trojan War
*13th century BC
III.
THEMES. List what themes are present in Part I.
The power of the Gods
The role of Gods and fate in human lives
The power of cunning over strength
The pitfalls of temptation
Odysseus’ character flaws
Hospitality
Journey
IV.
PLOT. Put the following in chronological order.
2
Land of the Lotus Eaters – lose desire to return home
11
Calypso’s Island – after storm traveling alone, stays 7 years
12
King Alcinous of Phaecia – O. tells him of his wanderings –
(Flashback) sends him home to Ithaca “strange sail”
4
Island of the Winds – Aeolus bottles up bad winds, but O’s
men open up too soon.
8
The Sirens – lures sailors with songs of flattery, Odysseus
listens while tied to the mast, his men put beeswax in their
ears.
7
Odysseus’s visit to the Underworld (Land of the Dead)–
Tiresias, blind prophet helps O by telling him dangers that lie
ahead.
3
The Cyclops – the plan
1
The Cicones – rob & plunder – lose many men
9
Scylla and Charybdis – 6 headed monster, whirlpool, O.
passes alone after all men have died
5
The Laestrygonians – cannibals; eat all ships but one.
10
The Island of the Sun God – O.’s men eat Helios’ cattle – Zeus
destroys last ship
6
Circe – turns O’s men into swine – he spends a year with her
then she helps them by predicting the future and warning
them of dangers ahead.
V. STYLE. Began as Oral literature, written by Homer (study Intro
sheet in folder!)
 Epic poem – long narrative poem centering on a national hero
 Flashback – All of part 1 Odysseus is telling his tale to the King
of Phaecia
 Epic simile – lengthy comparisons using like or as
 Personification – “Dawn rose from her couch”
“When Dawn,
with fingertips of rose lit up the world…”
 Foreshadowing – Polyphemus’ plea, Circe, Tiresias