Characters
Aeaean is the home of who?
Circe, the nymph of lovely braids
How does Aeolus show Xenia?
He hosted Odysseus for an entire month
What did the nymph, Circe, put in the potion? *Must list all*
Cheese, barley, pale honey and drugs that wipe away the memory of home.
Odysseus commits adultery multiple times throughout the epic, including in book 10 when he “bedded” Circe. What does this show about his character?
Lacks loyalty,weak-minded
On page 245 it says “Lustrous goddess,” (10.245.536). What is this an example of and who is it referring to?
Circe, epic ep.
Who did Odysseus’s messengers find while scouting the island Laestrygonia?
The king of Laestrygonia's daughter
Does Antiphates (the King of Laestrygonia) show Xenia? If not, how do they “welcome” Odysseus’ crew?
No, he gives them a barbarous welcome and tries to eat them.
Who exactly were the Laestrygonians?
Cannibal Cyclops
The beginning of page 243 depicts that Circe is actually ____?
Empathetic
What is the name of the island Odysseus talks about at the start of the book?
Aeolian Island
What is King Aeolus known as?
Master of all the winds
Does Circe show good Xenia at first?
No, she tricks people by being hospitable in order to drug them and imprison them
What did Circe’s drug and wand do?
Her drugs wiped the crew’s memories of home and her wand turned Odysseus’s crew into swine.
Why do you think Homer included Elpenor’s story?
Elpenor’s reckless actions caused him to die, which makes his character symbolism for foolish behavior. This is used as caution for when Odysseus’ takes action moving forward.
What was the problem Odysseus and his squadron faced on the way home?
The bag of wind burst and swept them back to sea
Which nymph did Odysseus’ crew meet? What was she doing?
The crew stumbled upon Circe’s palace where she was weaving a loom.
How did Aeolus welcome Odysseus when he returned?
Negatively, he casted him out
What did the gods send lonely Odysseus? And what did Odysseus do with it?
The gods sent Odysseus a stag and he chose to kill it in order to feed his crew.
Odysseus and his crew weeps after almost every situation. Why do you think they are overfilled with tears?
They have suffered so much together through war and war bonded them. Their comradery is shown through their caring for one another.
What journey is Odysseus and his crew directed to from Circe?
Odysseus must travel to the house of death/underworld to consult with the seer Tiresias in order to get directions to go home.
Who is Elpenor, and what happened to him?
Elpenor was the youngest of Odysseus’s crew mates. He died after falling asleep on the roof and after waking up to men’s shouts, he fell from the roof and broke his neck.
What is similar in the way Odysseus presents what the royal family of Aeaea is doing upon his arrival, compared to how the rest of the kings of Greece have welcomed their guests?
They’re feasting
How is Hermes like Athena in Odysseus’ storyline? What does he give Odysseus that will help his meeting with Circe?
Hermes helps Odysseus face Circe by giving him a magic herb that will make him immune to Circe’s spells. This is similar to how Athena usually helps Telemachus and Odysseus when they face conflict.
Odysseus states, “Necessity drives me on” as he musters up the courage to go meet Circe after the incident. What does this show about Odysseus?
Shows loyalty to shipmates and commitment to his comrades
What is the epic following epic simile comparing and what does it mean?
“Mountain wolves and lions were roaming round the grounds-
She’d bewitched them herself, she gave them magic drugs.
But they wouldn’t attack my men; they just came pawing up around them, fawning, swishing their long tails-
Eager as hounds that fawn around their master, (10.237.231-236).
It’s comparing Circe’s mountain lions and wolves to tame dogs that obey their masters which shows how powerful Circe is to be able to tame violent,wild animals.