By:
Homer
 Epic – a lengthy narrative poem, ordinarily concerning a
serious subject containing details of heroic deeds
and events significant to a culture or nation.
 Epitaph – writing in praise of a deceased person
 Personification - giving human qualities to animals
or objects
 Flashback – action that interrupts to show an event
that happened at an earlier time which is
necessary to better understanding
 Simile - the comparison of two unlike things
using like or as
 Metaphor- comparison of two unlike things using the
verb "to be" and not using like or as
Hyperbole – exaggeration or overstatement
Satire – a literary tone used to ridicule or make fun of
human vice or weakness, often with the intent of
correcting, or changing, the subject of the
satiric attack
Imagery – language that evokes one or all of the five senses:
seeing, hearing, tasting, smelling, touching
Foreshadowing – the use of hints or clues to suggest what
will happen later in literature
Irony - an implied discrepancy between what is said
and what is meant
1. verbal irony is when an author says one thing and means something
else.
2. dramatic irony is when an audience perceives something that a
character in the literature does not know.
3. irony of situation is a discrepancy between the expected result and
actual results.
The Trojan Horse
Element
The main character is a hero, who is
often possessed of supernatural abilities
or qualities.
The hero is charged with a quest.
The hero is tested, often to prove the
worthiness of himself and his quest.
The presence of numerous mythical
beings, magical and helpful animals,
and human helpers and companions.
Example
Element
The hero’s travels take him to a
supernatural world, often one that
normal human beings are barred from
entering.
The cycle must reach a low point where
the hero nearly gives up his quest or
appears defeated.
A resurrection.
Restitution. Often this takes the form of
the hero regaining his rightful place on
the throne.
Example
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
Where does Odysseus land and relate the story of his
adventures?
How does Odysseus identify himself?
Where is his home?
Even though he says he has been held captive by a
goddess and an enchantress, what matters most to
him?
How did Odysseus and his men behave on Ismarus?
What happens because of their behavior?
What was the outcome of the battle?
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
Who are the Lotus Eaters?
Why do Odysseus and his men stop at their land?
Why does Odysseus send three men among the
Lotus Eaters?
What do the Lotus Eaters do?
What effect does the lotus have on the men?
How does Odysseus handle the men?
What is his warning to his crew?
Who are the Cyclops and how is their lifestyle described?
2. Why do Odysseus and his men go to visit the land of the
Cyclopes?
3. How is the Cyclops described?
4. Odysseus takes how many men with him?
5. What do they find in Cyclops’ cave?
6. What do the men want to do?
7. Why does Odysseus wish to remain there?
8. What does the Cyclops do when he returns to the cave
that creates a problem for Odysseus and his men?
1.
9. What are his nightly activities?
10.What does Cyclops think Odysseus and his men might be?
11. How does Odysseus ask for help from Cyclops?
What argument does he use?
12. How does the Cyclops respond to him?
13.Why does Odysseus lie about the location of his ship?
14.What does the Cyclops have for supper?
15.What holds Odysseus back from killing the Cyclops?
16.What happens the next morning?
17. How does Odysseus plan revenge on the Cyclops?
18. After supper what does Odysseus offer the Cyclops?
19. What does Odysseus tell the Cyclops his name is?
20. What will the Cyclops’ gift to Odysseus be?
21. What do Odysseus and his men do while the Cyclops is drunk and
asleep?
22. Why don’t the other Cyclops come to help?
23. What is Odysseus’ plan for escaping the cave?
24.Why does Odysseus call back to the Cyclops as he is leaving?
25. What do his men say?
26. What does the Cyclops say when he learns of Odysseus’
true identity?
27. What is the Cyclops’ relationship with Poseidon? What is
his prayer to him?
28. What does Zeus have in store for Odysseus?
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
What must Odysseus do to travel through the
underworld safely?
Who does Odysseus see and call out to?
What happened to him?
What does Odysseus promise him?
Who does Odysseus see next?
What does Tiresias warn Odysseus about when he
gets to Thrinacia?
What does Tiresias say Odysseus will find when he
returns home?
What things does Circe warn Odysseus about when
he returns to her island?
2. Which of Circe’s warnings does Odysseus tell his
men about?
3. When Odysseus hears the Sirens, what does he tell
his men to do? How do they respond?
4. What does the Siren song offer the men?
1.
1.
How does Odysseus try to encourage and give
strength to his men?
2.
What does he tell them to do?
3.
Why does he not tell them about Scylla? Describe
Scylla.
4.
How are the actions of Charybdis described?
5.
How many men are lost to Scylla?
6.
What was the worst sight Odysseus suffered?
7.
What happens when they land at Thrinacia?
8.
How is the disobedience punished?
1.
What does Odysseus warn his men about?
2.
How long are the men there?
3.
What happens when Odysseus is sleeping?
4.
Why does Eurylochus say they should kill the cattle?
5.
What does Zeus do to punish them?
6.
What happens to Odysseus next?
7.
Where does he land?
 Terms to Know
 Epic Simile – an elaborate comparison between 2
things that may extend for several lines.
Ex. From part 1 lines 268 – 271
“And it was like a mast / a lugger of twenty oars,
broad in the beam - / a deep sea going craft –
might carry: / so long, so big around, it seemed.”
 Historical Context – the time and place in which a
story was set in or was written
 Cultural Context – the events, beliefs and customs of a
specific culture and time.
 Dissemble – conceal under a false appearance;





disguise
Incredulity – unwillingness or inability to believe
Bemusing – stupefying or muddling
Equity – fairness; justice
Maudlin – tearfully and foolishly sentimental
Contempt – disdain or scorn
 In The Odyssey, who is Eumaeus?
 What is Telemachus ordered to do when Odysseus
gives him the signal?
 What does Odysseus disguise himself as? Why?
 Who or what is Argus?
 What is the purpose of this section?
 How does it end?
1.
What challenge does Penelope give the suitors?
2.
Which suitors complete the challenge? What is theiir
response?
3.
Who wins the challenge?
1.
What do Odysseus and Telemachus do after
Odysseus wins the challenge? How?
2.
What reasons does Odysseus give the suitors for their
murder? Do you agree or not, and why?
1.
How does Odysseus say Penelope is treating him?
2.
What is his reaction to her treatment?
3.
What is her reasoning?
4.
How does Penelope know it is him?
5.
How long was Odysseus gone?
List each character in the poem under the appropriate heading
and give a brief description of them.
Gods
Goddesses
Humans
Monsters & Unusual Creatures