Characters
Exemplifies courage by leaving his home unprotected after Athena divinely inspires him.
Who is Telemachus?
Odysseus had this at the start of The Odyssey. Telemachus, on the other hand, had to earn it.
What is kleos?
The Greek notion of hospitality is this.
What is xenia?
"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?
Odysseus and Telemachus both wish to return home, which aligns with this Greek concept/term.
What is nostos?
Father-son duo who function as antagonists in the epic.
Who are Poseidon and Polyphemus?
Deus ex machina complicates this theme.
What is Fate vs. Free Will?
The Greek term for "fate," that everyone must face.
What is ker?
"...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?
Explain the death of the first suitor and how it displays justice.
What is...
- Antinous being shot in the throat -- symbolic of stopping his speaking, eating, and drinking
- Antinous is the leader of the suitors -- dies first and they don't know who to turn to
Goddess that often is described as having "eyes ablaze."
Who is Athena?
Decided by the gods. They reward piety and punish hubris.
What is justice?
Odysseus slaughtering all of the suitors mercilessly at the end of the epic is an example of this.
What is menis?
"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?
According to the rules of hospitality, a host must do these five things.
What are...
Feed a feast
Question about identity
Give a gift
Give a bath and clothing
Provide transportation
Suitor who was warned about his fate, but could not escape it because he was bound by Athena's plans.
Who is Amphinomus?
This theme focuses on the impulisivity of humanity, as displayed in Odysseus' men multiple times.
What is man's irrationality?
This type of hero is duty-bound and unselfish.
What is martial?
"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?
Identify four conventions of an epic.
What are...
Odysseus proves his identity to this character at the very end of the epic by showing his scar from a boar.
Who is Laertes?
Free will is the work of who?
Who are gods and men?
The fact that Odysseus is on Calypso's island at the start of the epic exemplifies this.
What is in medias res?
"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?
Describe how The Iliad relates to The Odyssey. Consider characters, events, and themes.
What is...
- Iliad characters that we see: Agammemnon, Achilles, Menelaus, Odysseus, Helen
- Events that connect: Odysseus earning Athena's favor, the Trojan Horse, Achilles' and Odysseus' menis
- Themes: Justice, Fate vs. Free Will, kleos