Characters
Plot Points
Plot Points Part II
Literary Concepts and Vocabulary
Mystery
100
Who is Odysseus's son?
Telemachus
100
Which war is Odysseus and his men leaving at the start of their obstacle-filled journey back home?
Trojan War
100
What name does Odysseus use to outwit the Cyclops?
He calls himself Nobody.
100
What is an epic?
A long narrative poem about a national hero
100
Who is considered the author of The Odyssey?
Homer
200
Who is the ringleader of the suitors?
Antinous
200
The opening part of the epic poem centers around which character?
Telemachus
200
Odysseus and his men face the following obstacles at the same time on their journey home: Scylla and _________.
Charybdis
200

What is an epithet

An identifying word or a phrase used consistently throughout an epic to describe a person/object

200
Who is the messenger god?
Hermes
300

What is the name of the Cyclops whom Odysseus blinds?

Polyphemus

300
When we first meet Odysseus in Book 5, he is held captive by which goddess?
Calypso
300

When Odysseus gets home to Ithaca, how does Athena disguise him?

 as an old beggar.

300

What is Xenia in Greek culture?

The concept of hospitality and the sacred rights of a guest. 

300

While not much is known about Homer, many scholars think he was _______.

Blind

400
What is the name of Odysseus's nurse?
Eurycleia
400
Odysseus and his crew raid whose lands when they first leave the Trojan War?
Cicones
400
How many axes does Odysseus have to shoot an arrow through in order to succeed in Penelope's test?
A dozen.
400

What is a bard?

A professional poet and/or singer.

400

Define: Brackish

Water that is slightly salty; a mixture of salt and fresh water

500
What is the name of Odysseus's dog who dies after seeing Odysseus for the first time in 20 years?
Argos
500

The sirens sing a song that makes Odysseus want to break free of the mast to which he is roped tight. What do they sing about?

- The Trojan War (and its pain for Odysseus)

- The offer of complete knowledge (temptation)

500

One of the suitors begs Odysseus to kill the ringleader and spare the rest. What is this suitor's name?

Eurymachus

500

Define: Guile

Sly or cunning intelligence, often used to deceive or trick

500

Which servant exposed Penelope's trick of weaving and unweaving the burial shroud? 

Melantho
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