The Odyssey Beginning
For how many years was Odysseus gone from Ithaca?
20 years
Which god delays Odysseus' return home?
Poseidon
Why does Poseidon hate Odysseus?
He blinded his son, the cyclops Polyphemus.
Who is the son of Odysseus?
Telemachus
When we first see Odysseus, where is he?
On the island of Ogygia with Calypso.
What does Odysseus tell the cyclops his name is?
Nobody
Which god is looking out for Odysseus and his son?
Athena
After they leave Cicones they land on place where everybody becomes addicted to a flower. What is the name of that place?
The Lotus Eaters
Who is Odysseus' wife?
Penelope
Why did Odysseus first leave Ithaca?
To fight in the Trojan War, which was fought over the kidnapping of Helen.
What does King Aeolus gift to Odysseus?
How long does Odysseus stay on Calypso's Island?
7 years
Next Odysseus and his men end up on on a huge island where they run into a one eyed man. Where is this?
Cyclops' island
Who was named "the ring leader" of the suitors?
Antinoos
Who is Odysseus's father?
Laetes
What does Tiresias warn Odysseus not to do?
He warns Odysseus not to eat Helios' cattle.
Why doesn't Odysseus just kill Polyphemus while he sleeps?
They could not move the stone that seals the cave.
Odysseus landed here after his men opened the bag of wind (after Cyclops' island). The sorceress of this island turns men into pigs. She told Odysseus to go to the land of the dead.
Aeaea / Circe's island
What is the name of the enormous and dangerous whirlpool?
Charybdis
At the beginning of The Odyssey, Homer says, "Sing in me, Muse." Why does he say this?
The Muses are gods credited with inspiring artists, poets, musicians, etc.
How does Penelope test Odysseus after he reveals his identity to her?
Moving the bed that was made out of a tree trunk. Odysseus carved a bed from the tree, and Penelope said it was moved for him outside of the bedroom. Odysseus took great offense thinking it was destroyed and that is how Penelope knew it was him.
How does Odysseus try to convince Polyphemus to be kind to him and his men?
He reminds him of xenia. He tells him the gods expect people to treat guests well.
Where does Odysseus go immediately after leaving the land of the dead?
Back to Circe's Island on Aeaea
Who is the prophet of the underworld?
Teresias