Name _______________________
Period _______
Date_____________________
Study Guide: They Odyssey by Homer
PART ONE: Identification (20 points total on test)
On the test, you will be given fifteen (15) of the following terms. You will pick ten (10) to define and
describe in two (2) or more complete sentences each. Each correct response is worth two (2) points.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.
18.
19.
20.
21.
22.
23.
24.
25.
Odysseus
Penelope
Calypso
Charybdis
Scylla
Sirens
Teiresias
The Lotus Eaters
Aeaea
Polyphemus
Erebus
Eurylochus
Thrinakia
Antinous
Eurymachus
Telemachus
Athena
Hermes
Helios
Poseidon
Zeus
Circe
Ithaca
Alcinous
Laestrygonians
PART TWO: Multiple Choice (10 points total)
On the line provided, write the letter of the best answer to each of the following terms. Each question
will be worth one (1) point.
_______ 26. How long was Odysseus on Calypso’s island?
a. 10 years
b. 13 years
c. 7 years
Name _______________________
Period _______
Date_____________________
d. 3 years
_______ 27. Who sent Hermes to order Calypso to release Odysseus?
a.
b.
c.
d.
Athena
Zeus
Helios
Poseidon
_______ 28. What does Odysseus claim as his reason for wanting to leave Calypso?
a.
b.
c.
d.
He missed his home and his wife.
He was sick of seeing her every day.
He wanted to see his puppy, Argos.
He wanted to go forth on adventures.
_______ 29. What effect did the lotus have on the crew members?
a.
b.
c.
d.
It made them violently ill.
They decided that it didn’t taste too good and left on the ship willingly.
It makes my fall asleep.
It makes them forget their homeland.
_______ 30. What name does Odysseus give to Polyphemus when asked to identify himself?
a.
b.
c.
d.
Hades, Lord of the Underworld
Telemachus
Odysseus
Nohbdy
_______ 31. What does Odysseus blind Polyphemus with?
a.
b.
c.
d.
A spear
Acid
An arrow
A rock
_______ 32. Who does Polyphemus ask to curse Odysseus?
a.
b.
c.
d.
Hephaestus
Zeus
Circe
Poseidon
_______ 33. What does Circe turn the crew members into?
a. Rabbits
Name _______________________
Period _______
Date_____________________
b. Pigs
c. Anteaters
d. Dogs
_______ 34. Where does Circe send Odysseus?
a.
b.
c.
d.
Ithaca
Sparta
The Underworld
Mount Olympus
_______ 35. Why does Circe’s magic have no effect on Odysseus?
a.
b.
c.
d.
She’s in love with Odysseus.
He’s the hero, so nothing can hurt him.
Hermes gave him a plant that protects him from her magic.
He performed his own counter magic.
_______ 36. Why isn’t the crew affected by the song of the Sirens?
a.
b.
c.
d.
They were all tied to the ship.
They put wax in their ears.
The Sirens were singing a little flat.
They were sailing too far away to hear it.
_______ 37. What is the consequence for killing the cattle of Helios?
a. The crew would die before returning home.
b. They must build many temples upon their return to Ithaca.
c. They must do the Hokey Pokey every hour, on the hour for the remainder of their
journey home.
d. They must sacrifice more cattle to appease the gods.
_______ 38. What is Odysseus disguised as when he returns to Ithaca?
a.
b.
c.
d.
A potential suitor for his wife, Penelope
Achilles
Percy Jackson
A beggar
_______ 39. How do the cowherd and swineherd recognize Odysseus?
a.
b.
c.
d.
Odysseus’ voice is very recognizable.
He has a very distinct walk.
He has a very unique scar.
Argos recognizes him.
Name _______________________
Period _______
Date_____________________
_______ 40. What contest must Penelope’s suitors complete if they wish to marry her?
a.
b.
c.
d.
String and shoot Odysseus’ bow
Battle to the death
Karaoke contest
Dance off
_______ 41. What does Odysseus do to the suitors?
a.
b.
c.
d.
Lets them go home.
Makes my pay for the used resources (food, wine, maid service, etc)
Throws them in the dungeon
Kills them all.
_______ 42. What does Telemachus do to the maids that waited on the suitors?
a.
b.
c.
d.
He gives all of them a raise.
He hangs them in the courtyard.
He fires them.
He makes them balance sheep on their heads.
PART THREE: Short Answer (10 pts)
The short answer section will consist of five (5) questions. Each question should be answered in two (2)
or more complete sentences. The questions will be related to prominent themes and key scenes in The
Odyssey.
Below I have provided a list of themes in the epic. For each theme, Write two episodes from The
Odyssey that can be related to that theme. For each episode, write one reason why it fits in with the
theme.

Loyalty

Disguise/Mask

Recognition
Name _______________________

Violence

Magic/Sorcery

Prophecy

Journey

Sacrifice
Period _______
Date_____________________
PART FOUR: EXTENDED RESPONSE (10 points total)
You will complete a short essay explaining a given part of the text. Be sure to review your class notes so
that you will be able to appropriately answer the prompt. How well you follow the prompt and how
logical your reasoning is will determine your grade. Good Luck!