The Hero's Journey and Epic Conventions
Vocabulary
Characters
Books 1/5/9
Books 10/11/12
100
What are the three parts of the hero's journey?
A call to adventure, a refusal of that call, crossing the first threshold and entering into the adventure.
100
What is Odysseus' fatal flaw called and what does it mean?
Excessive pride - hubris
100
What are the names of Odysseus' son and wife?
Telemachus and Penelope
100
Why doesn't Odysseus kill Polyphemus right away?
Because he and his men can't move the boulder in front of the door.
100
Who is the "Prince of Thebes"?
Tiresius
200
What is the purpose of an "invocation" and where is this epic convention applied in The Odyssey?
The purpose of an invocation is to invite the blessing of the muse to help an author tell his or her story. This convention is applied in book 1 when Homer is asking a muse to help him tell his story.
200
How does "in medias res" appear in The Odyssey?
The Odyssey begins in the middle of Odysseus journey (specifically, Calypso's Island)
200
Who is the person Odysseus goes to the underworld to see?
Tiresius
200
Who was Polyphemus' father?
Zeus, leader of the gods.
200
What is Odysseus' reaction when he encounters his mother in the underworld?
He grieves, cries, and avoids her.
300
What are five characteristics of an epic hero?
Ideal man of his culture; embodies the values of the culture he is from; has superhuman/divine traits; greater than the common man in every way; intelligent; goes on a journey; skilled warrior; has a fatal flaw
300
What is an epic simile?
An epic simile is an extended comparison used to compare heroic events to simple everyday events and to create an image within the readers mind.
300
Their food causes people to forget about their homes and desires.
Who are the lotus eaters?
300
Why is Odysseus able to leave Calypso's island?
Zeus gives Hermes a message that commands Calypso to let him go.
300
Which sea monster does Odyssey choose to encounter in book 12? Why?
Scylla; the lesser of the two evils that will only kill 6 men as opposed to all men
400
The setting of an epic covers a large expanse of land. What are five of the lands/settings that Odysseus and his men explore?
The land of the lotus eaters, the land of the cyclopes, Calypso's island, Circe's island, King Alcinous' island, the sea, the underworld, etc.
400
What is a Homeric epithet?
A Homeric epithet is a descriptive word or phrase that is used to create meaning and imagery within the readers mind and to emphasize a person, place, or thing.
400
What exactly are Scylla and Charybdis?
Scylla is a six-headed, twelve tentacle monster that eats men from ships that pass by. Charybdis is a whirlpool that sucks ships down and spits them back up, which kills everyone.
400
Who protects Odysseus from Circe's magic and how is he protected?
Hermes gives Odysseus moly, which protects him from all magic and spells.
400
Who is the leader who leads the men to Circe's home? How does Circe entice the men into her home?
Polites; by providing a feast, making them feel safe through her innocence, weaving a loom, etc.
500
What are five ways in which Odyssey depicts the epic hero?
Varies. Fatal flaw (hubris), greater than the common man, skilled warrior, embodies the values of his culture (home/family), goes on the hero's journey, etc.
500
What is the "code of hospitality"? What would happen if you didn't honor this code? Where do we see this in The Odyssey?
The "code of hospitality" refers to strangers being welcomed inside without question and treated well. We see this when King Alcinous invites Odyssey in and asks him to tell his story. We also see Polyphemus dishonor this code.
500
What are the sirens?
The sirens are half-woman, half-bird creatures who sing songs to lure men
500
Who is Elpenor? Why is his request to be buried significant?
Elpenor was one of Odysseus men who died on the island of Circe. His request is significant because it reveals the values of the culture (proper, honorable burial).
500
What prophecy does Tiresias give Odysseus?
There will be lots of devastation; he will go home and kill all the suitors, make a sacrifice to Poseidon, and die of old age in peace.
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