Odysseus
Odysseus was an amazing warrior, but best known for his ______.
Cunningness
Who wrote The Odyssey?
Homer
What is the name of the Cyclops who trapped Odysseus?
Polyphemus
Who are the suitors?
Men who want to marry Penelope to become king
What cultural value is shown when the Greeks welcome strangers into their homes, fearing they might be gods in disguise?
Xenia (hospitality)
What flaw often brought punishment from the gods?
Hubris
In what culture does The Odyssey take place?
Greek
How did Odysseus and his men escape from the Cyclops’ cave?
By blinding the cyclops and hiding under the sheep.
How did Penelope delay choosing a new husband?
How many years total was Odysseus away from Ithaca before finally returning home?
20
How many years after the Trojan War does The Odyssey begin?
10 years
The Odyssey is written in medias res. What does this mean?
In the middle (of the action)
Sirens are mythical creatures with what appearance?
Half bird, half woman
What challenge did Penelope set for the suitors?
String the bow of Odysseus and shoot it through 12 axe handles
In The Odyssey, Homer often uses epic similes. What makes an epic simile different from a regular simile?
An epic simile is an extended comparison that stretches over several lines, often making the description more vivid and elaborate.
Who does Odysseus seek in the Land of the Dead?
The blind prophet Tiresias
What did Homer use for inspiration before writing The Odyssey?
A muse
What familiar thing does Charybdis appear as?
A whirlpool
Who was the leader of the suitors that Odysseus killed first?
Antinous
What does he learn about his family in the land of the dead?
His mother has died
When Odysseus visits the Land of the Dead, what does Tiresias warn him not to do if he wants to return home safely?
Not to eat the cattle of the Sun God, Helios.
Odyssey means what?
A journey
How did Odysseus finally get home after losing all his men?
How did Odysseus prove himself to Penelope?
By knowing the secret of their bed
Who is the only other person to know Odysseus’ identity before the suitors meet him?
Telemachus