Book 9
Who are the Lotus Eaters? What do they eat, and what does it do?
The Lotus Eaters are people of Lotus Island, and they eat this plant called the Lotus. The Lotus is compared to a drug, as it causes people to forget the path they are on and essentially be on a high.
Who is Aeolus? How long do Odysseus and his men stay on his island and what does he give to Odysseus?
Aeolus is the wing king; he allows the men to stay for a month, and he gives Odysseus and his men a wind blowing the ship toward Ithaca, and a bag holding unfavorable stormy winds.
Who is Tiresias? How does Odysseus summon him?
Tiresias is a wise prophet who is dead, and he is a ghost now; Odysseus summons him by digging a trench, sacrificing an ewe and a ram, and to get blood flowing.
When Odysseus finally gets Ithaca, who does he meet first and what does she tell him? What does Odysseus decide to disguise as?
Odysseus first meets Athena, and she tells him something is going down in the palace; He disguises as a beggar.
Who is Eurycleia? What was she asked to do?
A servant that was in the room when Penelope asks her to move the marriage bed.
Why did Odysseus stay in the Cyclops' cave? What is the Cyclops' name?
Odysseus stayed because he was curious about the gift he would receive; His name was Polyphemus
The men open the bag, thinking it is gold, then blow the ship back to Aeolus' island. Aeolus now believes that Odysseus' journey is cursed by the gods.
What does Tiresias tell Odysseus?
Tiresias tells Odysseus that the men will reach home if the crew leaves the Cattle of the Sun unharmed. If they kill the cattle, Odysseus will come home alone.
What does Zeus do as Odysseus prepares for battle? What does this show?
Zeus thunders; this shows that the Gods are on Odysseus' side.
What is Penelope's test of Odysseus? How does he react?
Penelope tells a servant to move an immovable bed, and Odysseus reacts in a little fit of rage, because he knows the bed is immovable. This is how Penelope knows it is Odysseus.
What is Polyphemus' response to Odysseus when he asks for gifts?
Polyphemus shows that he has no regard for the gods, and then eats two of Odysseus' men. Then he drank lots of whey, then went to sleep.
What island is Odysseus and his men trapped on? Who traps him there?
Aenea; Circe traps them.
Who are the Sirens? What advice does Circe give about them?
The sirens are creatures that use their beautiful voices to lure men, and then watch them die and rot; Circe tells Odysseus to cover his and his men's ear to block out the sound, and if they choose not to, then to be tied up and to not be released NO MATTER WHAT
What is happening in Odysseus' palace? What is it about?
Penelope is holding a contest for the suitors, and the suitors have to use Odysseus' bow to shoot an arrow 12 times in a line, in a socket.
What is the construction of the bed?
The bed was built around an olive tree, and it shows the lasting love because that construction makes it immovable.
What is the main way Odysseus tricks Polyphemus?
Gives Polyphemus lots of wine, making him drunk, then tells him his name is Nohbdy.
Who protects Odysseus from the witch? How?
Odysseus meets the god Hermes, and the god gives Odysseus a magical plant called Moly
Who is Scylla and what does she do to Odysseus' men?
Scylla is a huge monster. She has 12 tentacle like legs, 6 heads, and hunts through the seas; She eats 6 of Odysseus' men in a horrifying way in order for Odysseus to continue his journey.
Who kills Amphinomous? How does he die?
Telemachus kills Amphinomous; This happens when he threw a spear into Amphinomous head and kills him
How does Athena transform Odysseus after the battle? Why does she do this?
Athena clothes Odysseus in beauty, from head to toe, in gold and luxurious clothing. She does this because it shows her support for Odysseus, especially after that battle in Book 22.
What was Polyphemus' prayer for Odysseus? (Triple Points)
He prays to Poseidon for the Odysseus' journey to be cursed, and that he loses all his companies and is ruined.
How long do Odysseus and his men stay on Aenea? Who convinces Odysseus to continue his journey? (Triple Points)
They stay on Aenea for a year; and Odysseus' men convince Odysseus to keep going along on his journey.
Who is the Sun God, and what happens on his island, which leads to what? (Triple points)
Helios; When the men arrive on his island, they kill his cattle, which angers Helios. Helios then threatens to stop shining the sun if Zeus doesn't pay him back for his cattle. In order to appease Helios, Zeus sends a lightning bolt down to Odysseus, his ship, and his men. His men and ship die, leaving Odysseus as the sole survivor.
Who tries to snitch when Odysseus reveals his identity? What does this show? (Triple Points)
Eurymachus; it shows that he will do what it takes to survive, even if it means snitching.
What is the epic simile about at the end of Book 23? (Triple Points)
The epic simile describes how Odysseus is like someone who has suffered a shipwreck, swam through rough seas, and finally crawled up back into shore, covered in dirt.