Characters
Themes
Greek Terms
Passage Analysis
It's a Surprise
100

Exemplifies courage by leaving his home unprotected, establishing kleos along the way.

Who is Telemachus?

100

Odysseus had this at the start of The Odyssey. Telemachus, on the other hand, had to earn it.

What is kleos?

100

The Greek notion of hospitality is this.

What is xenia?

100

"So, you ask me the name I’m known by, Cyclops? I will tell you. But you must give me a guest-gift as you’ve promised. Nobody—that’s my name. Nobody— so my mother and father call me, all my friends."

This quote is ___ speaking to ____.

Who are Odysseus and Polyphemus?

100

Odysseus and Telemachus both wish to return home, which aligns with this Greek concept/term.

What is nostos?

200

Father-son duo who function as antagonists in the epic.

Who are Poseidon and Polyphemus?

200

Decided by the gods. They reward piety and punish hubris.

What is justice?

200

The Greek term for "fate," that everyone must face.

What is ker?

200

"...whatever form and feature I had, what praise I’d won, the deathless gods destroyed that day the Achaeans sailed away to Troy, my husband in their ships, Odysseus—if he could return to tend my life the renown I had would only grow in glory. Now my life is torment …"

Who is the speaker of this quote?

Who is Penelope?

200

Justice is served when this suitor dies first. 

Who is Antinous?

300

Goddess that often is described as having "eyes ablaze."

Who is Athena?

300

Deus ex machina complicates this theme.

What is Fate vs. Free Will?

300

Odysseus slaughtering all of the suitors mercilessly at the end of the epic is an example of this.

What is menis?

300

"Ah how shameless – the way these mortals blame the gods.
From us alone, they say, come all their miseries, yes,
but they themselves, with their own reckless ways,
compound their pains beyond their proper share."

Zeus is the speaker of this quote. What theme is he expressing?

What is Fate vs. Free Will?

OR

What is man's irrationality?

300

Who is the best host and why?

Who is Eumaeus?

What is his poverty?

400

One of the most loyal and patient characters. Often described as weeping. Does not believe Odysseus has returned.

Who is Penelope?

400

This theme focuses on the impulisivity of mankind, as displayed in Odysseus' men multiple times.

What is man's irrationality?

400

This type of hero is duty-bound and unselfish.

What is martial?

400

"With that promise, off and away Athena the bright-eyed goddess flew like a bird in soaring flight but left his spirit filled with nerve and courage, charged with his father’s memory more than ever now. He felt his senses quicken, overwhelmed with wonder..."

Who is the "he" in this quote and what was he given?

What are Telemachus and courage?

400

According to the rules of hospitality, a host must do these five things.

  1. Feed a feast

  2. Question about identity

  3. Give a gift

  4. Give a bath and clothing

  5. Provide transportation

500

Faithful servant who spends his nights sleeping outside to protect his swine.

Who is Eumaeus?

500

Free will is the work of who?

Who are gods and men?

500

The fact that Odysseus is on Calypso's island at the start of the epic exemplifies this.

What is in medias res?

500

"But here’s an unlucky wanderer strayed our way and we must tend him well. Every stranger and beggar comes from Zeus, and whatever scrap we give him he’ll be glad to get. So, quick, my girls, give our newfound friend some food and drink and bathe the man in the river, wherever you find some shelter from the wind.” 

Whose daughter is the speaker of this quote, and what Greek ideal is she displaying?

What is King Alcinous and xenia?

500

An epic is defined by these four things.

What are style, structure, length, and subject?

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