Characters
Epic Similes
Book IX
Bad Choices
God/Godess Intervention
100
We follow this character throughout his journey home from Troy.
Who is Odysseus?
100
The two things being compared in the following epic simile? "A gull patrolling between the wave crests of the desolate sea will dip to catch a fish and douse his wing; no higher above the whitecaps Hermes flew"
What is a gull dipping to catch a fish and Hermes flying over the whitecaps?
100
These characters live on an Island, and do nothing but eat an addictive plant.
Who are the Lotus Eaters?
100
Odysseus men eat this, causing Zeus to sink their ship.
What is Helios cattle?
100
The God/Goddess that begged Zeus to avenge the death of his cattle.
Who is Helios?
200
Most famous of the Cyclopes who is blinded by Odysseus and his men.
Who is Polyphemus?
200
Odysseus men are compared to this as there about to be devoured by Polyphemus to symbolize their helplessness.
What are squirming puppies?
200
This is how they choose who helps Odysseus stab Polyphemus' eye.
What is flipping a coin?
200
Decide to open the bag of stormy winds, thinking it was treasure.
Who are Odysseus men?
200
Tells Telemachus to travel to Pylos for word from his father.
Who is Athena?
300
This character is an enchantress who lives in a cave guarded by wolves and mountain lions.
Who is Circe?
300
The two things that are being compared in the following Homeric Simile: "Strait forward they sprinted, lifted it, and rammed it deep into his crater eye, and I leaned on it turning it as a shipwright turns a drill in planking…"
What are Odysseus turning the stick into the Cyclops eye and a shipwright turning a drill?
300
Polyphemus thinks this is why his sheep is lagging behind.
What is because he is mourning his masters lost eye.
300
Odysseus did this to upset Poseidon.
What is blind his son?
300
This God/Godess kept Odysseus away from home for seven years by casting a spell on him.
Who is Calypso?
400
This character tells Odysseus his entire future when he comes to visit.
Who is the Oracle in Hades?
400
What two things are being compared in the following Homeric simile: (Hint: it has to do with Scylla) "A man fishing on a pointed rock for bass or mackerel, whipping his long rod to drop the sinker and bait far out, will hook a fish and rip it from the surface to dangle wriggling through the air: so the men were lifted high while struggling violently through the air.
What are a fish caught in a hook and Odysseus men caught by Scylla?
400
Odysseus tells Polyphemus that Poseidon destroyed his ship upon the rocks after he was asked this question.
Where is your ship?
400
The choice Polyphemus made to be punished by the Gods.
What is refusal to give a gift to Odysseus?
400
This God/Goddess grants Odysseus sleep.
Who is Athena?
500
This character gives Odysseus two gifts: a strong wind to steer him home and a bag of stormy winds.
Who is King Aeolus?
500
The unfamiliar object being compared in the following epic simile: "When Charbybdis vomited, all the sea was like a cauldron seething over an intense fire, when the mixture suddenly heaves and rises."
What is Charbybdis vomiting the ocean water?
500
The only people who drank the wine at King Maron's castle.
Who are King Maron, his wife, and his mistress?
500
The initial reason Odysseus and his crew have been wandering for years on end.
What is Odysseus refusal to give thanks to the Gods for victory in Troy?
500
This God/Goddess warns Odysseus not to eat Helios cattle.
Who is Circe?
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