The Odyssey Beginning
To whom is Odysseus telling the story of The Odyssey?
He is telling his story to King Alcinous and the Phaeacians.
Which god delays Odysseus' return home?
Poseidon
Why does Poseidon hate Odysseus?
He blinded his son, the cyclops Polyphemus.
Who is the prophet of the underworld?
Teresias
When we first see Odysseus, where is he?
On the island of Ogygia with Calypso.
Where is Odysseus from?
Ithaca
How does Odysseus try to convince Polyphemus to be kind to him and his men?
He tells him the gods expect people to treat guests well.
After they leave Cicones they land on place where everybody becomes addicted to a flower. What is the name of that place?
The Lotus Eaters
What is the name of the cyclops that captures Odysseus and his men?
Polyphemus
For how many years was Odysseus gone from Ithaca?
20 years
What makes Calypso let Odysseus go?
Why doesn't Odysseus just kill Polyphemus while he sleeps?
They could not move the stone that seals the cave.
Next Odysseus and his men end up on on a huge island where they run into a one eyed man. Where is this?
Cyclops' island
Who is Odysseus' wife?
Penelope
At the beginning of The Odyssey, Homer says, "Sing in me, Muse." Why does he say this?
The Muses are minor gods that are credited with inspiring music and art.
What war did Odysseus just finish fighting in at the start of the Odyssey?
The Trojan War
How long does Odysseus stay on Calypso's Island?
7 Years
Odysseus landed here after his men opened the bag of wind (after Cyclops' island). The sorceress of this island turns men into pigs. She told Odysseus to go to the land of the dead.
Circe's island
Who is the son of Odysseus?
Telemachus
Why wasn't The Odyssey written down by Homer? (Hint: Did people write things down in those days?)
The Odyssey was performed orally (spoken).
What does Odysseus tell the cyclops his name is?
Nohbody
What are Tiresias's predictions from the land of the dead.
Not to touch Helios's cattle.
After Odysseus and his men set for home, whose cattle do they eat which causes the destruction of the rest of the crew and ship?
Helios
Who is Helios' daughter who tells him that the cattle have been killed?
Lampetia