How does The Odyssey begin?
When Odysseus is telling King Alcinious of his journey, he mentioned two women who detained him. Who were they?
At the beginning of the poem, Odysseus introduces himself as the son of _____________.
Who is acting as Odysseus’ “fairy godmother”?
Which god curses Odysseus on his journey home?
How does Odysseus feel about his homeland of Ithaca?
*Odysseus says he is admired for his guile; what does this mean?
What is Odysseus’ wife’s name?
Athena is the goddess of what?
*What was the main obstacle Odysseus had on his journey home?
*Odysseus was bound by honor to join the other kings to fight the Trojan War. T / F
*After 10 years of battle with the Trojan Army, what did Odysseus and his men deliver to them?
Poseidon was the God of the _________.
Why was Poseidon angry with Odysseus?
After they plunder Ismarus and replenish their provisions, what did Odysseus order his men to do?
What is a lotus?
What happened in the land of the Lotus-Eaters? Why didn’t the men want to return to the ship?
What was the name of the Cyclops that Odysseus blinded?
What kind of people were the Cyclopes?
How did Odysseus and his men make it out of the cave?
What name did Odysseus give the Cyclops when he asked his name?
Who was the god of the winds? Why did this god help Odysseus?
Why was Odysseus’ ship steered off course so close to Ithaca?
What was the name of the enchantress who turned some of the crew into animals?
When Odysseus and his men enter the Underworld, what prophet did he meet for directions home?
When entering the Kingdom of the Dead, what all must they do and accomplish?
When in Hades, Odysseus meets the soul of Antikleia, who is _____________. How did this person die?
What happens to Odysseus’ men at the meeting of Scylla and Charybdis?
What is the name of Odysseus’ son?

What happens to Penelope’s tapestry?
What did Poseidon want from Odysseus?
Where does Odysseus wash up after drifting at sea when leaving Calypso?
What king does he meet?
When Odysseus awakes in Ithaca, who does he meet first?
Why does Odysseus stall in going to see his wife?
When he meets Telemachus for the first time upon returning, what does his son think about their supposed kinship?
What is Odysseus most afraid of upon returning home?
How does Athena disguise Odysseus?
How long had the suitors been in residence at Odysseus’ house? How does Penelope manage to stall the suitors during this time?
What challenge does Penelope put before the suitors to wind her hand in marriage?
What does Odysseus do to the suitors?
How many years was Odysseus gone from home?
How does Odysseus feel when he is captured by Calypso and Circe?
How are the Sirens like the Lotus-Eaters?
What does Penelope reveal in her talk with the disguised Odysseus?
What is the suitors’ reaction when Odysseus, still in disguise, takes up the bow?
Why does Penelope still test Odysseus after he removes his disguise?
Who was Argus?
Why does Athena appear in disguise to mortals?
SHORT ESSAY – Choose one of the following and explore in a well-organized essay.
Considering what Odysseus did while he was on his adventures, do you think he deserved to be welcomed back home by his wife?
What emotions do you think Odysseus experienced when he saw his mother in the land of the dead?
How do you think a modern woman should view the depiction and treatment of women in The Odyssey?