“The Cyclops”
The Worksheet
Name__________________
The teacher will have a basket with slips of paper in it. On the slips of paper are
numbers to “The Cyclops” questions. Choose two different numbers. You will be
responsible for answering those two questions.
After you answer on paper, go to Mrs. Livaudais’ website. Log on to the blog for The
Odyssey. Go to the Cyclops thread. Type your question in as your topic and then type
in your answer – do this for both questions. Then read over and respond to someone
else’s questions. I will be looking for three responses – your two question/answers and
an entry on someone else’s question/answer.
1. Describe the Cyclopes. What kind of farmers are they? How do they treat their
wives and children? Summarize their race based on the first stanza on page 650.
2. How many men did Odysseus take with him? Why did they stay after they got some
food?
3. What kind of welcome does the Cyclops give Odysseus and his men?
4. What does Odysseus ask for the Cyclops to give him? What “reason” does he give
for expecting this?
5. Why does Odysseus lie about his ship?
6. Odysseus goes to stab the Cyclops in line 245. Why does he change his mind?
What does this show you about Odysseus?
7. In line 252, who is Dawn and what is she famous for? What literary device is used
here?
8. What is his plan in lines 265+?
9. What does Odysseus give the Cyclops as a “gift”? What does this show you about
him?
10. Find a simile on page 656 and write it down for your answer.
11. How does Odysseus escape from the cave the next morning?
12. On page 659, lines 430+, what is one of the main reasons that Odysseus is angry?
13. What does Odysseus do that is foolish? Why does he do it? How does this
connect to the notes I gave you on epic hero?
14. How do his men react when Odysseus does this?
15. Why does the Cyclops invite him back? Do you think he’s telling the truth? Explain
why.
16. A number of times Homer foreshadows events to come. What does the passage
on page 662 foreshadow? (lines 511+)
17. The scene between Odysseus and Cyclops is full of irony. Find one example of
dramatic irony and one example of verbal irony. Explain how your examples are
ironic.
Correct the grammar worksheet on the back. Read “The Land of the
Dead” and answer the questions on page 667 for homework. I’ll check
your homework and collect the grammar work on Monday.