Thematic Connection
Characters
Plot
Symbolism
Miscelaneus
100
In the beginning of book 23, what is the theme that Penelope fails to show toward the old nurse?
Trust
100
Who is Tiresias?
"ghostly seer of Thebes" (23. 368).
100
What is Penelope's immediate response when the old nurse tells her that Odysseus has returned?
"the gods have made you mad. They have that power, / putting lunacy into the clearest head around" (23. 12-13).
100
What is the sign that the old nurse uses to identify Odysseus?
"The scar, made years ago by a boar's white tusk" (23. 83).
100
What type of literature is The Odyssey?
An Epic
200
What is Odysseus' dilemma concerning the death of the suitors'?
"When someone kills a lone man in the realm/ who leaves behind him no great band of avengers, still the killer flees, goodbye to kin and country" (23. 135-137).
200
What is the name of the old nurse?
Eurycleia
200
What is the prophecy that Odysseus must fulfill?
1. "Come to a people who know nothing of the sea" (23. 308) 2. "Must carry a well-planned oar" (23. 307). 3. "When another traveler falls in with [him] and calls that wight across [his shoulder] a fan to winnow grain, plant [the] oar in the earth" (23. 313-315). 4. "Sacrifice fine beasts to the lord god of the sea, Poseidon" (23. 316).
200
How does Penelope plan to determine whether she is really in the presence of Odysseus?
"But if he is truly/ Odysseus, home at last, make no mistake:/ we will know each other, even better/ we two have secret signs, known to us both but hidden from the world" (23. 122-125).
200
When Penelope encounters Odysseus, Telemachus exclaims that she "spurns" Odysseus. What does the word "spurn" mean?
To reject with disdain or contempt.
300
Upon approaching Odysseus, what is Penelope's dilemma?
"Penelope started down from her lofty room, her heart/ in turmoil, torn... should she keep her distance,/ probe her husband? Or rush up to the man at once/ and kiss his head and cling to both his hands?" (23. 96-99).
300
Who said this quote? "Home at last for her after bearing twenty years of brutal struggle - your heart was always harder than a rock" (23. 116-117)
Telemachus
300
What is Odysseus' plan to disguise the death of the suitors?
"lead off for us a dance so full of heart that whoever hears the stains outside the gates/ a passerby on the road, a neighbor round about/ will think it's a wedding-feast that's under way. No news of the suitors' death must spread through town/ till we have slipped away to our own estates" (23. 150-155).
300
What does the Odysseus' bed symbolize?
The strength of Odysseus' marriage. Nothing can move the bed unless the house itself is destroyed.
300
What is an epithet for the rising of the sun?
Young dawn with her rose red-fingers.
400
By fulfilling the prophecy and venturing from his homeland, what theme will Odysseus exemplify that will not only hurt himself but his loved ones as well?
Separation: "Little joy it will bring you, I'm afraid, as little joy for me" (23. 302-304).
400
Who are Blaze and Aurora?
"the windswift team that brings men light, Blaze and Aurora, the young colts that race the Morning on" (23. 279-280).
400
At the end of book 23, how does Athena lead Telemachus, Odysseus, the cowherd, and the swineherd out of the palace?
"By now the daylight covered the land, but Pallas, shrouding them all in darkness, quickly led the four men out of town" (23. 420-422).
400
What is the symbolism of Athena cleansing Odysseus and modifying his body composition?
A end result of Odysseus's journey and hardships. "As a master craftsman washes gold over beaten silver-a man the god of fire and Queen Athena trained in every fine technique and finishes off his latest effort, handsome work..." (23. 178-180).
400
Where does Odysseus plan to go before he embarks on his journey?
"But now I must be off to the upland farm, our orchard green with trees, to see my father" (23. 406-407).
500
What theme is present when Penelope fears betraying Odysseus? (By not being sure whether or not to believe the newcomer is Odysseus)
Loyalty
500
Who is Actoris?
"the secret sign of our bed, which no one's ever seen but you and I and a single handmaid, Acotris, the servant my father gave me when I came" (23. 254-256).
500
Even though she seduced him, how does Odysseus state he survived his struggle with Calypso?
"she never won the heart inside of him, never..." (23.380).
500
What does it symbolize when Penelope does not believe that the old nurse is speaking the truth about Odysseus' return?
The loss of hope that Penelope feels. "Odysseus? Far from Achaea now, he's lost all hope of coming home... he's lost and gone himself" (23.75-76).
500
What is the title of book 23?
The Great Rooted Bed
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