Odysseus
Who is the main character?
Odysseus.
Who is Polyphemus?
A Cyclops.
Who is Circe?
A powerful woman/goddess who encounters Odysseus and his men.
What is Odysseus trying to do throughout these books?
Get home.
What major theme involves Odysseus' intelligence?
Cleverness and resourcefulness.
What is one of Odysseus' biggest strengths?
His cleverness.
What makes Polyphemus dangerous?
He is powerful and traps Odysseus and his men.
What does Circe do to some of Odysseus' men?
She transforms them into animals.
What keeps getting in his way?
Monsters, magic, dangerous situations, and his own decisions.
What personal flaw repeatedly causes problems?
Pride.
What is one of his biggest weaknesses?
His pride.
How does Odysseus escape?
by getting Polyphemus drunk, blinding his single eye with a heated stake, and riding out of the cave under the bellies of the giant's sheep
How does Odysseus deal with Circe?
He resists her magic and eventually gains her help.
What quality helps Odysseus survive?
Cleverness.
What does Odysseus' journey represent?
His struggle to return home.
How does Odysseus often survive dangerous situations?
By using intelligence and clever plans.
What name does Odysseus give the Cyclops?
Nobody.
What happens to Odysseus and his men after their conflict with Circe?
They stay with her for a time before continuing their journey.
What quality sometimes makes his problems worse?
Pride.
What does the story show about heroes?
Being clever and powerful doesn't mean you are perfect.
How can Odysseus' cleverness become a problem?
His confidence and pride can cause him to make risky decisions.
What does the Polyphemus episode show about Odysseus?
His intelligence can save him, but his pride can still create consequences.
Why is Circe important to the story?
She represents another dangerous obstacle Odysseus must overcome before continuing home.
What do these adventures show about Odysseus' journey?
Getting home requires intelligence, courage, self-control, and perseverance.
What is a major lesson from Books 9–10?
Intelligence can save you, but pride and poor choices can still lead to consequences.