Mythical Creatures
What is the name of the one eyed creature in one of Odysseus’s first stops?
The Cyclops
What animal does Odysseus tie his men to in order to escape the Cyclops?
Sheep
Which god/goddess does Odysseus upset early on in the story because he is related to the Cyclops?
Poseidon
Hospitality is a theme in The Odyssey. Explain what “hospitality” is.
Making your guests feel welcome.
Who are the group of beautiful, mermaid-like women who sing songs?
The Sirens
What does Circe tell Odysseus he should do to protect himself and his crew from the Sirens?
Put wax in their ears and tie Odysseus to the mast of the boat.
Which god/goddess helps Odysseus when he tries to save his crew from Circe?
Hermes
Odysseus has a flaw in the story. Explain his flaw.
He is too proud or confident. Sometimes it gets him into more trouble.
What is the name of the 6 headed, dragon-like creature who attacks the ship?
Scylla
Before Odysseus and Telemachus go back to the palace in Ithaca, Odysseus makes a plan to help them defeat the suitors. Odysseus tells Telemachus to go back to Ithaca before him and do what?
Hide all the suitor’s weapons.
Which god/goddess helps Odysseus after 7 long years on Calypso’s island?
Athena
Disobeying is another theme in the story, especially with the crew members. Can you name 1 specific moment when the crew members disobeyed orders?
They opened the bag of winds, they ate with Circe and were turned into pigs, they ate Helios’s cattle.
Correctly spell the mythical creature who created a whirlpool in the ocean with its mouth.
C-h-a-r-y-b-d-i-s
Penelope does not want to marry any of the suitors. What are two clever strategies that she uses to put off marrying any of them?
She says she’ll pick a suitor when she’s done weaving her funeral shroud, but she unweaves a little of it each night to make it take longer! Later, she declares that she will only marry the suitor who can string Odysseus's bow and fire an arrow through 12 axes.
What is the food and drink of the gods?
Ambrosia and Nectar
We have not discussed this yet, but if you had to name a thoughtful lesson we could learn from The Odyssey what would it be?
Possible answers:
Good things come to those who wait, never give up, be kind and provide good hospitality to your guests, listen to others, don’t be too prideful!
How many rows of teeth does the six-headed monster have? How many feet does she have? (Half points if you can answer one)
She has 3 rows of teeth and 12 feet!
What was Odysseus's disguise when he returned to Ithaca and why did he use it to talk to the swineherd Eumaeus?
He disguised himself as an old man while talking to Eumaeus because he wanted to test the swineherd's loyalty.
To help Odysseus sail back to Ithaca, Aeolus stored every wind but one in a magical bag. In which direction did the remaining wind blow?
The wind blew Odysseus's ship west toward Ithaca.
Near the end of the story, the Phaeacian king and queen are among the first people to show Odysseus true hospitality. What is the name of their daughter?
Princess Nausicaä is the daughter of the Phaeacian king and queen.