Characters and the epic journey
Dynamic characters are those who ____ in important ways over the course of a story.
change
speak
move
act
change
A theme is the ______conveyed in the text.
answer
message
pattern
character
message
Which Greek values are found in The Odyssey?
technology
loyalty
celebrity
efficiency
loyalty
Read this paragraph.
Claire marveled at her little brother’s flawless dive. It looked effortless now, but she knew he had spent weeks perfecting the arch of his body and the point of his toes. She wanted to have a dive like that—the type people stop and watch. Still, she could not bring herself to attempt it. After all, her brother’s first twenty or so dives had been awful, with knees and elbows flailing. Claire shuddered to imagine looking like that in clear view of the entire pool population. And the whole head-first concept seemed intimidating. She wondered if her hands would reach the bottom of the pool. Maybe some day. But for now, she decided she would just watch.
What is the conflict in the excerpt?
character versus self
character versus character
character versus society
character versus nature
character vs self
What prevents Odysseus from killing the sleeping Cyclops?
He thinks he can reason with the Cyclops in the morning.
He wants to make the Cyclops his ally and friend.
He knows that they cannot move the boulder blocking the doorway.
He feels sorry for the Cyclops who lives all by himself.
He knows that they cannot move the boulder blocking the doorway.
In which ways does Odysseus’s character change over the course of The Odyssey? Check all that apply.
His selfishness becomes more apparent.
He becomes less dependent upon the gods.
He becomes more humble.
His family becomes less important.
He becomes more humble.
Which themes are found in The Odyssey?
Odysseus is a great Greek leader.
Ithaca is Odysseus’s true home.
Too much pride is dangerous.
Telemachus loves his father
Too much pride is dangerous.
When making a prediction about reading, students should make a(n) _______ about what is likely to happen next.
scientific hypothesis
educated guess
simple explanation
estimated amount
educated guess
Read the excerpt from Part 2 of The Odyssey.
We cried aloud, lifting our hands to Zeus,
powerless, looking on at this, appalled;
but Cyclops went on filling up his belly
with manflesh and great gulps of whey,
then lay down like a mast among his sheep.
Which statement best explains the simile in this excerpt?
The Cyclops is compared to Zeus because of his size.
The Cyclops is compared to Zeus because of his power.
The Cyclops is compared to a mast, or flagpole, because of his surrender.
The Cyclops is compared to a mast, or flagpole, because of his size.
The Cyclops is compared to a mast, or flagpole, because of his size.
Read the excerpt from Part 3 of The Odyssey by Homer.
I made straight for the ship, roused up the men
to get aboard and cast off at the stern.
They scrambled to their places by the rowlocks
and all in line dipped oars in the gray sea.
Based on the excerpt, readers can conclude that Odysseus’s men
enjoy their leisure time.
appreciate their jobs.
respect their leader.
forge close friendships.
respect their leader.
Odysseus is called to adventure when he
outsmarts the Cyclops
is reunited with Penelope
fights the suitors in his home
leaves home to join the Trojan War
leaves home to join the Trojan War
Which is a common symbol of love and commitment?
a national flag
a white dove
a wedding ring
a music note
a wedding ring
A value is important to a society because it is
the measure used to determine how good a person is.
an amount of goods or services considered reasonable.
a human characteristic that is considered desirable.
the financial cost of an item, which is very important.
a human characteristic that is considered desirable.
Read the excerpt from Part 4 of The Odyssey.
we saw the funnel of the maelstrom, heard
the rock bellowing all around, and dark
sand raged on the bottom far below.
My men all blanched against the gloom, our eyes
were fixed upon that yawning mouth in fear
of being devoured.
Which statement best explains the metaphor in this excerpt?
The whirlpool is compared to a mouth, showing its decreasing strength.
The whirlpool is compared to a mouth, showing its menacing threat.
The whirlpool is compared to a sandy beach, showing its proximity.
The whirlpool is compared to a sandy beach, showing its familiarity.
The whirlpool is compared to a mouth, showing its menacing threat.
Read the excerpt from The Odyssey.
My men stood up and made a fight of it—
backed on the ships, with lances kept in play,
from bright morning through the blaze of noon
so holding our beach, although so far outnumbered;
but when the sun passed toward unyoking time,
then the Achaeans, one by one, gave way.
Which values of the ancient Greeks are most emphasized in this excerpt?
bravery and perseverance
exercise and physical fitness
hospitality and friendliness
freedom and democracy
bravery and perseverance
Which would be most helpful when comparing Penelope with Odysseus and how they changed in The Odyssey?
It would be most helpful to consider Penelope’s actions toward her servants.
It would be most helpful to consider Odysseus’s words to his men.
It would be most helpful to consider both characters’ reactions to the suitors.
It would be most helpful to consider both characters’ physical appearance.
It would be most helpful to consider both characters’ reactions to the suitors.
Read the excerpt from The Odyssey.
But when he knew he heard
Odysseus' voice nearby, he did his best
to wag his tail, nose down, with flattened ears,
having no strength to move nearer his master.
And the man looked away,
wiping a salt tear from his cheek.
What does the dog, Argus, represent in this excerpt?
loyalty
sadness
illness
ignorance
loyalty
Read the excerpt from The Odyssey.
The noble and enduring man replied:
“No god. Why take me for a god? No, no.
I am that father whom your boyhood lacked
and suffered pain for lack of. I am he.”
Held back too long, the tears ran down his cheeks
as he embraced his son.
Based on this excerpt, what is the best prediction about the future relationship between Telemachus and Odysseus?
Telemachus will imitate Odysseus.
Telemachus will reject Odysseus.
Telemachus and Odysseus will fight to the death.
Telemachus and Odysseus will work together.
Telemachus and Odysseus will work together.
Read the excerpt from Part 2 of The Odyssey.
(Odysseus):
'We would entreat you, great Sir, have a care
for the gods' courtesy; Zeus will avenge
the unoffending guest.'
He answered this
from his brute chest, unmoved.
(Cyclops):
'You are a ninny,
or else you come from the other end of nowhere,
telling me, mind the gods! We Cyclopes
care not a whistle for your thundering Zeus.'
What theme is best revealed by this conflict?
It is important to use manners in new situations.
It is wise to know the enemy you face.
Guests should honor the traditions of their hosts.
Guests should offer gifts to their hosts.
It is wise to know the enemy you face.
Read the excerpt from Part 1 of The Odyssey by Homer.
but on the spot I told them: 'Back, and quickly!
Out to sea again!' My men were mutinous,
fools, on stores of wine. Sheep after sheep they
butchered by the surf, and shambling cattle,
feasting,—while fugitives went inland, running
to call to arms the main force of Cicones.
How does this excerpt prove that Odysseus’s men caused their own problems?
by describing their neglect of orders
by explaining their military strategy
by showing their physical weaknesses
by illustrating their cruelty to one another
by describing their neglect of orders
Fighting the suitors with his son Telemachus is which part of Odysseus’s epic journey?
his road of trials
his supreme ordeal
his transformation
his return home
his supreme ordeal
Read the excerpt from The Odyssey.
“Stranger,
you are no longer what you were just now!
Your cloak is new; even your skin! You are
one of the gods who rule the sweep of heaven!
Be kind to us, we’ll make you fair oblation
and gifts of hammered gold. Have mercy on us!”
Which is a symbol in this excerpt?
the gold gifts
the ruling gods
the new cloak
the kind stranger
the new cloak
Rachel is making predictions about The Odyssey as she reads this excerpt.
So she described it, sitting in her chamber
among her maids—while her true lord was eating.
Then she called in the forester and said:
“Go to that man on my behalf, Eumaeus,
and send him here, so I can greet and question him.
Abroad in the great world, he may have heard
rumors about Odysseus—may have known him!”
Rachel makes the prediction that Penelope will discover the stranger’s true identity. Which detail best supports her prediction?
he may have heard rumors about Odysseus
sitting in her chamber among her maids
Then she called in the forester
Abroad in the great world
he may have heard rumors about Odysseus
Read the excerpt from Part 1 of The Odyssey.
And this new grief we bore with us to sea:
our precious lives we had, but not our friends.
No ship made sail next day until some shipmate
had raised a cry, three times, for each poor ghost
unfleshed by the Cicones on that field.
What theme is best revealed by this conflict?
Sadness can destroy people.
One must mourn before moving on.
Many lives are lost too soon in battle.
People are haunted by lost souls.
One must mourn before moving on.
What excerpt from Part 2 of The Odyssey best establishes Odysseus’s weakness?
as for myself I took my five best fighters and went ahead.
a wineskin full I brought along, and victuals in a bag
I wished to see the caveman, what he had to offer—
We lit a fire, burnt an offering, and took some cheese to eat
I wished to see the caveman, what he had to offer—