Name That Island
Odysseus and his men arrive here and eat the flowers of the Lotus-Eaters, causing some of the crew to forget about returning home.
What is the Land of the Lotus-Eaters?
This Greek concept refers to the sacred relationship between a host and a guest, including the expectation of hospitality and respect.
What is xenia?
This one-eyed giant traps Odysseus and his men inside his cave.
Who is Polyphemus?
Odysseus shows his leadership when he protects his crew from this dangerous group by coming up with a plan involving wax and a ship’s mast.
Who are the Sirens?
This term describes the use of descriptive language that appeals to the senses, such as vivid descriptions of the sea, storms, and strange lands Odysseus encounters.
What is imagery?
After escaping the Cyclops, Odysseus and his crew visit this island, home of keeper of the winds.
What is the island of Aeolus?
This Greek word refers to the glory, fame, or honor a hero earns through great deeds and that can live on after death.
What is kleos?
These creatures sing a beautiful song that lures sailors to their deaths. Odysseus has himself tied to the mast so he can hear their song safely.
Who are the Sirens?
Despite the many years he spends away from home, Odysseus remains focused on returning to his wife (Penelope) and son (Telemachus). This shows his strong sense of this.
What is loyalty (nostos)?
Odysseus’s journey follows this traditional literary pattern in which a hero faces a series of trials before ultimately returning home.
What is a hero's journey?
Odysseus spends a year on this island with Circe, the enchantress.
What is Aeaea?
This term describes a hero’s journey or desire to return home, which is one of Odysseus’s central goals throughout The Odyssey.
What is nostos?
This six-headed monster lives on one side of a dangerous passage and snatches sailors from passing ships.
Who is Scylla?
Odysseus demonstrates cleverness when he escapes from Polyphemus by hiding his men under these animals.
What are sheep?
Before a dangerous event occurs, Sutcliff gives clues that hint at what will happen later. What literary term describes this technique?
What is foreshadowing?
After years of wandering, Odysseus finally returns to this island, where he disguises himself as a beggar before revealing his true identity.
What is Ithaca?
This Greek concept describes excessive pride or arrogance, especially when a character believes they are greater or more powerful than they really are.
What is hubris?
This deadly sea monster creates a massive whirlpool that threatens Odysseus and his crew.
What is Charybdis?
Odysseus’s excessive pride causes him to reveal his identity to Polyphemus, leading to the anger of this god.
Who is Poseidon?
Circe fits this archetypal character type: a powerful magical woman who uses enchantment to transform or control those who enter her world.
What is the enchantress archetype?
Odysseus travels to this dark realm to speak with the prophet Tiresias, who gives him important information about his journey home.
What is The Underworld/Land of the Dead?
Odysseus’s decision to reveal his identity to Polyphemus, despite having escaped safely, can be viewed as an example of this concept because his pride leads him to make a serious error in judgment.
What is hamartia?
Circe transforms some of Odysseus’s crew members into these animals after they arrive on her island.
What are pigs?
Odysseus can be considered both heroic and foolish because his intelligence helps him survive, while this flaw repeatedly gets him into trouble.
What is hubris (pride)?
The Sirens in Sutcliff’s story reference their famous appearance in Homer’s Odyssey. What literary term describes this reference?
What is an allusion?