Your Name
Mr. Burhenn
English / Hour
2 April 2015
Bellringer—Please answer the following in your notebook:
Write a question over the Odyssey. It could be a
potential test question, or it could be a question you
need answered from your study guide.
Date: 2 April 2015
Objective: Complete study guide.
Agenda:
1. Bellringer
2.complete test study guide
3. Read silently if/when you are finished studying
Study Guide for The Odyssey
I. Define the following terms:
Epithet:
Epic simile:
II. Number the following events from The Odyssey in the correct
chronological order:
______ Odysseus describes the oak tree trunk bedpost and Penelope realizes that her husband has
returned.
______ Odysseus spends seven years trapped on Calypso’s island.
______ Zeus destroys Odysseus’ last ship and kills the rest of Odysseus’ men.
______ Odysseus leaves Troy with 720 men.
______ Odysseus taunts the Cyclops after escaping from his cave.
______ Odysseus (disguised as a beggar) wins the “Test of the Bow”.
______ Polyphemus prays to Poseidon to curse Odysseus’ travels.
______ Odysseus leaves Ithaca for Troy.
______ Odysseus and his crew eat the cattle of Helios.
______ Odysseus, Telemachus and the herdsmen kill all of the suitors on Ithaca.
III. Short Answer:
1.
Why doesn’t Odysseus stay and live in comfort with Calypso?
2.
Why doesn’t Odysseus kill Polyphemus when the Cyclops is asleep?
3.
Describe the “Test of the Bow”.
4.
Describe how Odysseus passes the Sirens unharmed.
5.
Describe Scylla and Charybdis.
6.
Why does the swineherd not immediately recognize Odysseus when he first returns to Ithaca?
7.
Why does Odysseus tell Polyphemus his name is “Nohbdy”?
8.
What is the significance of the trunk of the olive tree in Book 23?
9.
Does Odysseus choose to face Scylla or Charybdis? Why?
10. What does the blind prophet predict will happen if Odysseus raids the cattle of Helios?
11. List the details of Polyphemus’ curse—meaning, what are the things he asks Poseidon to do to
Odysseus?
12. Who are the suitors?
13. What is special about the lotus flower?
14. Which goddess seems to be on Odysseus’ side during his adventure?
15. List three different ways in which a God intervenes in The Odyssey—their intervention could be
positive or negative.
IV: What are the seven characteristics of an epic poem that we discussed
in class?