Characters
The man disguised as an old man who is tasked with shooting an arrow through twelve axes
Who is Odysseus?
What is the archery trial?
"I offer you the mighty bow of Prince Odysseus; and whoever with his hands shall lightliest bend the bow and shoot through all twelve axes, him I will follow..."
Who is Penelope?
Odysseus strings the bow.
Odysseus is dressed as an old man, what theme could this highlight?
This highlights the theme of looking past someones appearance and to rely on mind rather than muscle
The woman who holds the archery contest for the suitors.
Who is Penelope?
The number of axes that Odysseus was tasked with shooting an arrow through.
"You've often prayed that my goal of a sweet return would stay remote from me, so my dear wife could go away with you and bear your children. That's why you won't escape a bitter death."
Who is Odysseus?
Odysseus is disguised as an old man.
He does this to prevent the suitors from knowing his identity and to make them underestimate his strength.
This highlights a theme of vengeance and brutality, as even women weren't spared in Odysseus' massacre of the suitors.
Two men who fight along Odysseus against the suitors.
Who are Eumaeus and Philoetius?
Who is Antinous?
"So how come now, when you've come home among your own possessions, you're moaning about acting bravely with these suitors?"
Who is Athena?
Penelope is not present during the fight
This shows that women should be kept separate from battle and it provides insight into the thinking of men in the past.
Odysseus and his group make a detailed plan to kill the suitors, what theme does this highlight?
This highlights the theme of using your brain and intelligence because Odysseus didn't just rush into the hall and try to fight the suitors blind.
The goddess that disguises herself as a mentor before joining in the fight to test Odysseus' strength.
Who is Athena?
Telemachus forgets to do this and the suitors are able to re-arm themselves.
What is locking the storeroom?
"Come, you who are stronger men than I, come try the bow and end the contest."
Who is Odysseus?
Odysseus calls forth the suitors to compete against him.
Penelope holds a competition for the men, what theme does this highlight?
This highlights the theme of honor, as Odysseus wanted to prove that he was the best and the strongest.
The first man to be shot in the throat by an arrow
Who is Antinous?
Odysseus spares these two men.
Who are the minstrel Phemius and the herald Medon?
"If in strength we fall so short of princely Odysseus that we cannot bend his bow-oh, the disgrace for future times to know!"
Who is Eurymachus?
Odysseus spares two men.
He spares them because they were not directly living off his land and were only there for external reasons.
This highlights the theme of mortals need for divine intervention, as Odysseus might not have been victorious if Athena had not aided him in the fight