Study Guide 1
What were Odysseus' feelings when he was held captive by Calypso and Circe?
His heart still belonged to is wife and he wished to return to her.
Why are Odysseus and his men going to the land of the dead?
To hear a prophecy from the blind prophet Tiresias
How does Odysseus get home?
The Phaecians picked him up by ship.
What did Antinous do to Odysseus?
Antinous throws a stool at Odysseus, hitting his back.
How many men did Odysseus take with him to explore the Cyclops cave?
He took 12 of his best fighters
Describe Odysseus's reaction to the ghost of Anticlea, his mother.
He's saddened by seeing her but prevents himself from breaking down because he's on a mission to speak with Tiresias.
What 2 gods does Odysseus say will help them?
Athena and Zeus
What trick does Penelope do to put off marrying a suitor?
She tells the suitors to let her finish weaving a shroud for Laertes before marrying, but at night she unravels the weaving she had done during the day.
Why didn't the neighboring Cyclopes help when they gathered around after Polyphemus cried out?
When they asked him what was wrong, the Cyclops replied that Nobody was harming him.
How did Eurylochus convince the rest of Odysseus' men to eat Helios' cattle?
He said that any death is better than starving. He'd rather face the gods' anger than die slowly from starvation.
What happens to Argus at the end of the story?
Argus dies after seeing his owner one last time.
What challenge do the suitors have to do to marry Penelope?
They have to string and shoot Odysseus' bow through 12 ax handles
Describe how Odysseus and his men get out of the Cyclops' cave
They tie themselves to the bellies of the sheep
How many of Odysseus' men died in the shipwreck?
All of his men die in the shipwreck
What is the plan that Odysseus shares with Telemachus?
Defeat the suitors by entering the palace disguised as a beggar, while Telemachus secretly gathers the weapons. Then, launch a surprise attack and kill the suitors once Odysseus reveals his identity
What did Homer compare the pile of dead suitors to?
A pile of dead fish on a ship's deck that fishermen have caught and piled up
Describe the events on Ismarus
(the first stop Odysseus and his men make on their way back home)
Odysseus and his men steal goods and enslave the people
Some fugitives gather an army to fight Odysseus & his men causing a lot of them to die.
Six benches on each ship were left empty.
How many of Odysseus' men does Scylla kill?
She kills 6 of Odysseus' men
What 2 excuses will Telemachus give if the suitors catch him moving the weapons?
1. He's moving them to prevent from a brawl starting while they're drunk
2. He's moving them to keep them safe from the smoke/fire damage
How did Penelope test Odysseus' identity?
Asking her servant to move their marriage bed, knowing that it's impossible