The Odyssey/ Epic Unit Packet
This packet includes all worksheets and study guides that will be utilized
throughout the unit! Most of the assignments will be completed in class;
nonetheless, you are required to complete the entire packet. Good Luck!
Standards:
 Reading Literature and Reading Across the Curriculum
o RL1 The student demonstrates comprehension and interpretation of
Fiction, Non-Fiction, Poetry, and Drama
o RL2 The student identifies, analyzes, and applies knowledge of theme
o RL3 The student relates literature to contemporary context and/or
historical background
o RL5 The student understands and acquires contextual vocabulary
o RC2 Discussion of topics related to content reading
o RC4 Reading in context
 Listening, Speaking, and Viewing
o LSV1 The student participates in verbal interactions (Student to Text,
Student to Student)
o LSV2 The student formulates reasoned judgments about written or oral
communication in various media genres and delivers polished
presentations that demonstrate understanding
* Completed packet is due at the end of the unit!
THE EPIC UNIT TERMS
“The Odyssey” – 9th Literature
RC3: Student learns and applies content vocabulary.
Epic
Epic Hero
In Media Res – “in the middle of things”—Text begins in the middle of the story and the action,
NOT at the beginning.
Muse
Narrative Poem
Ballad
Universal Theme
Oral Tradition
Allusion
Archetype – A symbol or character which reoccurs in literature to be recognizable as an element
of literature.
Quest – Epic journey upon which the hero must embark.
Alliteration
Figurative Language
Onomatopoeia
Setting
Protagonist
Antagonist
Tone
Mood
Theme
Personification
Metaphor
Simile
Epic Simile
Symbol
Imagery
Diction
The Odyssey: Web Quest
RL3: The student relates literature to historical background.
TASK 1
Who was Homer?
Write a summary of each section on the following page:
http://library.thinkquest.org/19300/data/homerhist.htm
Introduction and Background
Who was Homer?
Where did he live?
When were these epics composed?
Why does Homeric literature still survive today?
TASK 2
Write a one or two sentence definition for each using a web source
You can not use Wikipedia!
GODS and GODDESSES
Aeolus__________________________________________________________________
Apollo__________________________________________________________________
Athena_________________________________________________________________
Helios__________________________________________________________________
Muses__________________________________________________________________
Poseidon________________________________________________________________
Zeus____________________________________________________________________
HUMANS
Laertes__________________________________________________________________
Odysseus_______________________________________________________________
Penelope_______________________________________________________________
Telemachus_____________________________________________________________
Tiresias_________________________________________________________________
SUPERNATURAL BEINGS
Calypso_________________________________________________________________
Charybdis_______________________________________________________________
Circe___________________________________________________________________
Cyclops/Polyphemus_____________________________________________________
Scylla___________________________________________________________________
Sirens___________________________________________________________________
LOCATIONS
Olympus________________________________________________________________
Underworld_____________________________________________________________
“The Odyssey” Study Guide Questions
RL1: The student demonstrates comprehension and interpretation of epic poetry; RL2: The
student identifies, analyzes, and applies knowledge of theme.
PART ONE: THE ADVENTURES OF ODYSSEUS
OPENING
1. Who are the muses?
2. Why don’t the shipmates return home?
SAILING FROM TROY
1. Who is Odysseus’ son?
2. What impression do you get of Odysseus so far?
3. Why did Odysseus’ men get slaughtered at Cicones?
4. What lesson can be learned from the defeat of Odysseus and his men at Ismarus?
5. How do Calypso and Circe keep Odysseus from reading home?
THE LOTUS EATERS
1. Why doesn’t Odysseus make it home after the Cicones?
2. What happens to the men who eat the Lotus?
3. What does the episode suggest about the main problem that Odysseus has with his men?
4. What modern day problem can you compare to the Lotus-Eaters?
THE CYCLOPS
1. Before meeting with the Cyclops, what had Odysseus received from Maron at Ismarus?
2. What does the encounter with Maron reveal about ancient Greek attitudes regarding
hospitality?
3. How do Odysseus and his companions expect to be treated by the Cyclops?
4. How does the Cyclops respond to Odysseus’ threat that Zeus will avenge “the unoffending
guest”?
5. Why doesn’t Odysseus kill the Cyclops when he first has the chance?
6. How does Odysseus get the Cyclops to fall asleep?
7. What does Odysseus do to the Cyclops eye?
8. What does Odysseus tell the Cyclops his name is?
9. Why don’t the other Cyclopes help?
10. How do the men escape from the Cyclopes?
11. Why does Odysseus keep taunting Polyphemus?
THE LAND OF THE DEAD
1. What was in the bag that Aeolus gives to Odysseus?
2. What happens when the men open the bag?
3. What does Circe do to Odysseus’ men?
4. Who does Circe tell Odysseus he must talk to in order to home?
5. Whom does Odysseus encounter in the Land of the Dead?
6. What character trait does Odysseus display in the Land of the Dead that he did not reveal
earlier?
7. What does Tiresias say would cause Odysseus and his men destruction?
8. What does Tiresias say Odysseus will find when he returns home?
9. What does Tiresias tell Odysseus to do after he has his revenge?
THE SIRENS
1. Where do the men go after Odysseus visits the Land of the Dead?
2. What advice does Circe give to Odysseus?
3. How do the Sirens lure travelers to their destruction?
4. What does Odysseus do with the beeswax?
PART TWO: THE RETURN OF ODYSSEUS
TWENTY YEARS AND GONE
1. How does Odysseus get back to Ithaca?
2. Summarize what is going on in Ithaca.
3. What does Athena do to Odysseus?
4. Who does Telemachus think Odysseus is when they first reunite?
5. Who is Eumaeus and what does Odysseus do with him?
ARGUS
1. Who is Argus?
2. Where is Argus?
3. What does Argus do when he hears Odysseus?
THE SUITORS
1. Describe Antinous’ treatment of Odysseus?
2. Why do you think Antinous treats Odysseus so badly?
3. What epic hero characteristics does Odysseus exhibit?
PENELOPE
1. How does Penelope feel about the suitors in her house?
2. What does Odysseus tell Penelope about himself?
3. Why do you think Odysseus chooses not to reveal his identity to his wife?
ODYSSEUS’ REVENGE
1. Do you think that Odysseus’ revenge is justified? Why/why not?
2. What is the first thing Odysseus does to get his revenge?
3. What planning does Odysseus do before battling the suitors?
4. How does the fight turn out?
PENELOPE’S TEST
1. What is Penelope’s test and how does Odysseus pass it?
2. Why does Penelope feel the need to test Odysseus?
The Odyssey
Essay Response
RC2 The student discusses topics related to content reading
W1 The student produces writing with appropriate organization, structure, and context
Directions: Choose one of the following questions; each response must be at least
three paragraphs.
1. Discuss the two strengths and two weaknesses that Odysseus possessed. You
must provide detail from the text and examples to support your answer.
2. Many themes appear throughout “The Odyssey”: Determination, Self Control,
Pride, and Trust. Please select two of these themes and discuss how they relate to
the text. Provide detail and examples to support your answer.
3. Throughout the text, Odysseus learns that he has to be careful with his actions
because there are always consequences to endure. Discuss a time when Odysseus
had to suffer a consequence for his actions or decisions. Briefly discuss the
situation. How was he punished? What was the end result?