“The Odyssey”
by Homer
Reading and Writing Activities
Part Two: Coming Home
Page 1078
Read the italicized information.
Identify the main idea of each of the
four paragraphs.
Make a list of other details you think will
be important as you read the rest of the
text.
Is Odysseus an Epic Hero?
1. Uncommon Strength
2. Exceptional Knowledge
3. Cunning
4. Courage
5. Daring
An Epic Hero is a
Larger than Life Character
What does that phrase mean?
Is the Odyssey an Epic Myth?
1. A physically impressive hero of national
or historical importance
2. A vast setting
3. A quest or journey undertaken in search
of something of value
4. The involvement of supernatural forces
5. A basis in a specific culture or society
6. Characters struggling against fate
Historical Context
What are the Values and Beliefs of
the Ancient Greeks that can be
seen in the Odyssey?
What can you learn about the
culture, values, and virtues of the
ancient Greeks based on the
events and characters in the
Odyssey?
Why do you think the Odyssey
includes these types of details?
Characteristics of World Myths
1. Polytheistic Religion
2. Nature was controlled by
gods/goddesses
3. Physical Strength
4. Intelligence and Cleverness
5. Hospitality and Treatment of
Strangers/Guests
6. Respect
7. Family
8. Fate and Destiny
Author’s Purpose
The reasons behind the way the
author tells his or her story. It
includes his or her use of words
and language as well as the
themes depicted in the text.
Based on what you have read so
far what are Odysseus’s most
important traits or skills?
What do you think was the theme
or lesson Homer most wanted to
share with his audience?
What was Homer’s purpose for
The Wanderings?
What’s Happened?
1. How do you think you will change over
the next twenty years?
2. How will the people in your family
change over the next twenty years?
3. How do you think going to war might
change a person and the way they “see”
the world?
4. How would your neighborhood change
over the next twenty years?
* Based on your thoughts and ideas, what
do you think will be Odysseus’s biggest
challenge/obstacle? How do you predict
he will overcome his predicament?
“The Meeting of Father and Son”
Pages 1079-1083
A. Paraphrasing – What happens in
this scene? Bring it to life in your
own words.
B. Analyzing Historical Context – In
Homer’s time, slaves may very well
have outnumbered the citizens.
What do you think Homer is trying
to say by having Odysseus make an
alliance with a servant?
“The Meeting of Father and Son”
Pages 1079-1083
C. Asking Questions – Why do you
think Athena has suddenly changed
Odysseus?
D. Epic Similes – What are Odysseus’s
and Telemachus’s cries compared to
during their tearful reunion? What
aspect of their reunion does this
simile emphasize?
“The Beggar and the
Faithful Dog”
Pages 1083-1084
A. Epic Heroes and Conflict –
What do Odysseus’s tears
and comments about the
dog reveal about
Odysseus’s character?
B. Paraphrasing – Restate this
description of the dog’s life.
What point about life might
Homer be making with this
passage?
Literary Response
“Father and Son” & “Beggar and
the Faithful Dog”
Read the text carefully and note the words, actions, and
thoughts of Odysseus.
What character traits (3+)
does Odysseus demonstrate in
this section of text?
Which traits were useful and
which interfered with his
goals?
Explain your thoughts and ideas and use evidence from
the text to support your response.
“The Test of the Great Bow”
Pages 1085-1091
A. Asking Questions – Why do you think
Penelope is crying?
B. Epic Heroes and Conflict – What
internal conflict is Odysseus
experiencing?
C. Summarizing – How do the swineherd
and cowherd prove they can be
trusted?
“The Test of the Great
Bow”
Pages 1085-1091
D. Paraphrasing – What
insults to the suitors throw
Odysseus’s way? Do you
expect their inhospitality to
go unpunished?
E. Epic Similes – Here,
Odysseus’s handling of the
bow is described in terms
of a master musician
readying an instrument.
What effect do Odysseus’s
effortless actions have on
the suitors?
“The Test of the Great Bow”
Pages 1085-1091
F. Asking Questions – What “amusements”
do you think might be in store for the
suitors?
* Analyzing Historical Context – What
lesson(s) do you think Homer is trying to
show the reader?
“Death at the Palace”
Pages 1092-1095
A. Paraphrasing – Restate what happens
in this passage?
B. Epic Heroes and Conflict – In what
ways is Eurymachus a “character foil”
to Odysseus? What does his speech
reveal about his character?
“Death at the Palace”
Pages 1092-1095
C. Epic Similes – To what are the suitors
compared? To what are the suitors’
attackers compared?
D. Making Judgments – Do you think Odysseus
has over-reacted to the situation with the
suitors? Did he need to kill them in order to
achieve his goals?
Literary Response
“The Test of the Great Bow” and
“Death in the Palace”
Read the text carefully and note how Odysseus is
able to overcome the challenges he faces during Part
II of the story.
Which three character traits
have been most useful for
Odysseus to overcome the
challenges in Part II?
Would any of Odysseus’s actions
be considered excessive?
Explain your thoughts and ideas and use evidence
from the text to support your response.
“Odysseus and Penelope”
Pages 1096-1101
Page 1097
A. Epic Heroes and Conflict – What internal
conflicts do you imagine both Odysseus and
Penelope are facing? Are these feelings
mutual? EXPLAIN!!!
B. Epic Heroes and Conflict – What admirable
qualities do both Odysseus and Penelope
display here?
“Odysseus and Penelope”
Pages 1096-1101
Page 1100
C. Paraphrasing – What trick does Penelope
use to get Odysseus to prove who he is?
How does Odysseus describe the bed?
Page 1101
D. Summarizing – What key information are
we given here?
Part two: Coming Home
1. Questions 1-7 (shorter answers) on
page 1102
2. Questions 8-14 (longer more detailed
answers) on page 1102
3. Vocabulary Check 1-5 on page 1103
4. Vocabulary Skills: Your Turn 1-5
Activities on page 1103
*Read the Information
5. Vocabulary Skills: Vocabulary
Development 6-9 on page 1104
*Read the Information
The Text
The Video
Both
People and Places in
The Odyssey
1. Read the information on pages
1032-1033.
2. Create a chart to categorize the
characters and places listed in the
section.
3. Your chart should be divided into
at least four different categories.
4. Be sure to include the description
of each entry in your chart.
5. Make sure the chart is clear, easy to
read, and useful as a tool to help you
better comprehend the text.
Is the Odyssey an Epic Myth?
1. A physically impressive hero of national or
historical importance
2. A vast setting
3. A quest or journey undertaken in search
of something of value
4. The involvement of supernatural forces
5. A basis in a specific culture or society
6. Characters struggling against fate
Is the Odyssey an Epic
Myth?
What are the elements of epic
literature?
Which element(s) can be seen in the
Odyssey?
Which element do you think has
been the most important?