Greek Customs
How did the Gods play a part in people's lives? Provide one example from the novel.
The Gods liked to help them when they needed it, but also makes their lives harder by controlling the sea or the wind. Examples will vary.
What did Odysseus do when his men were turned into pigs on Circe's Island? What does this say about him as a leader?
Odysseus went to Circe to get his men back. This shows that he cares about those he leads and wants them to return home.
What does The Odyssey say about intelligence and brains? Provide an example.
That sometimes intelligence can be just as good as strength in getting you out of trouble. Examples will vary.
Name the 14 places Odysseus travels to on his journey home. (It does not have to be in order).
Troy
Ismaros
Land of the Lotus-Eaters
Land of the Cyclopians
Aiolia
Land of the Laistrygonians
Aeaea
Hades
Sirens
Scylla and Charybdis
Thrinacia
Ogygia
Phaeacia
Ithaca
What is Penelope's challenge to the suitors?
To string and shoot Odysseus bow.
What role did neighbors and hosts play in the Greek culture? Provide one example from the novel?
Neighbors and hosts were supposed to help the people that visited them by providing them with food, drink, clothes, and gifts for their journey home. Examples will vary.
How did Odysseus's brains and intelligence help him get home? Provide an example from the novel.
They helped him by letting him think of creative ways to get out of difficult situations. Examples will vary.
What does The Odyssey say about temptations and weaknesses of people? Provide an example.
Humans are easily tempted by the things around them and it can lead to bad things when they fall into temptation. Examples will vary.
Name 3 Gods or Goddesses that help Odysseus get home.
Athena
Hermes
Zeus
Aeolius
Ino
Name 2 things Athena has done to help Odysseus get home.
Convinces her father, Zeus, to make Calypso release Odysseus from her island.
What are two ways the Greeks worshipped the Gods? What would happen if they didn't? Provide an example from the novel.
The Greeks would pray and sacrifice animals to the Gods. Sometimes they would sacrifice people. If they didn't the Gods would get angry and make the humans' lives difficult. Examples will vary.
How did Odysseus's brains and intelligence keep him from getting home? Provide an example.
Sometimes he would think he was smarter than other people and do something that would make a God or Goddesses upset. Examples will vary.
What does The Odyssey say about Gods and how they like to intervene in mortal lives? Provide an example.
It says that Gods are bored and enjoy either helping humans or making their lives miserable. Examples will vary.
Whose son did Odysseus blind and what name did he give this creature?
Poseidon and he gave the name Nobody.
What do Odysseus's men do on the Island of the Sun?
They eat Helios's Sacred Cattle.
In what way are the women treated in the Greek culture? Provide one example from the novel.
The women are meant to marry a man that their father picks and continue the line by having male children. Men treat them like they aren't smart and are just there to keep the house. Examples will vary.
How did Odysseus change from the beginning of his journey to when he arrived home? Provide an example from the novel.
Answer will vary.
What does The Odyssey say about the importance of home? Provide an example.
It says that home is the most importance place for a person and that they need to fight for it. Examples will vary.
Whose Island does Odysseus spend 9 years of his life?
Calypso
Why won't Aeolus help Odysseus a second time?
Because they believed it would mean going against the gods.
What was considered the most important custom in Greek culture? Provide an example where this custom was not followed.
The most important custom is to be kind of generous to your visitors. Examples will vary.
Is Odysseus the good guy or the bad guy of this story? Why or why not? Provide an example.
Answers will vary.
Provide one more theme for The Odyssey that has not been mentioned in the last 4 questions and provide one example from the novel.
Answers will vary.
Who is the first person to recognize Odysseus once he arrives in Ithaca.
His nurse, Eurycleia.
Why does Calypso hate the Gods?
Because they let Gods have female companions, but they don't let Goddesses have male companions.