Characters
Who is the author traditionally credited with composing The Odyssey?
Homer
What is Odysseus’s primary goal throughout the epic?
To get home to Ithaca.
What is a simile and which two words commonly signal it?
Simile compares using "like" or "as"
Give one character trait of Odysseus shown in the poem (single word).
clever, brave, proud, boastful.
Who is the main female goddess who aids Odysseus and his family?
Athena
Name the one-eyed giant who imprisons Odysseus and his men.
Polyphemus
How do Odysseus and his men escape the Cyclops' cave?
He gets Polyphemus drunk, blinds him, and escapes hidden under sheep
Define an epithet and give one example from the poem.
Epithet = repeated descriptive phrase; "Raider of Cities" "wise Odysseus"
Provide one brief example from the story that shows Odysseus’s cleverness.
Uses the name "Nobody" to trick Polyphemus.
Will accept other examples too...
What island is Odysseus’s home (the kingdom he tries to return to)?
Ithaca
Which god is Polyphemus’s father and later punishes Odysseus?
Poseidon
What critical mistake does Odysseus make after leaving Polyphemus that worsens his journey home?
He boasts and reveals his real name to Polyphemus
What is personification? What is ONE example from the text?
Personification gives human traits to nonhuman things; "rosy-fingered Dawn" personifies Dawn OR answers may vary...several examples to choose from!
Provide one brief example from the text that demonstrates Odysseus’s pride causing harm.
Boasting to Polyphemus brings Poseidon's wrath.
Name two consequences Odysseus faces because he blinds Polyphemus.
Poseidon's vengeance; prolonged voyage/homecoming delayed; crew deaths
— Give an epithet used in the poem for Athena or for Dawn
"gray-eyed Athena" or "rosy-fingered Dawn"
Briefly explain the difference between Scylla and Charybdis and why choosing between them is a dilemma.
Scylla is a six-headed monster that snatches sailors; Charybdis is a whirlpool that can sink ships; choosing risks either losing crew or ship
Define theme. Name one major theme of The Odyssey.
Theme = message/lesson;
example: Staying strong in the face of perseverance — Odysseus endures many trials to return home.
How does Odysseus’s leadership skills both help and harm his crew?
Leadership helps by planning escapes; harms by making risky choices that endanger men.
Identify two-three descriptive epithets used in The Odyssey.
"rosy-fingered Dawn", "gray-eyed Athena", "wise Odysseus", "raider of cities"
List two qualities that mark an epic hero and explain how they apply to Odysseus
Answers can vary; some examples below...
brave — faces dangers; clever — devises plans
Summarize Odysseus' journey home IN ORDER.
Goes to fight the war in Troy --> Cyclops Cave (Polyphemus) --> Sirens/Scylla and Charybdis --> Calipso's island for seven years.
Explain the difference between a metaphor and a simile and give an example of a metaphor found in The Odyssey.
“a shaggy mountain reared in solitude”
Argue whether Odysseus should be considered a tragic hero, citing specific traits and events.
Argument example: Odysseus has noble qualities but fatal flaws (pride) — meets tragic-hero traits
Answers may vary...
What is the most important thing to remember about Odysseus before a test?
"Remember Odysseus is clever and brave but also prideful — his intelligence solves problems, but his pride creates new ones."
Answers may vary...