Show:
The games
The songs
Odysseus
The Gods
Misc.
100
Who is the only one who notices Odysseus’ weeping before the games begin?
Alcinous
100
Why does the bard’s song bring tears to Odysseus’s eyes?
It reminds of him of the terrible times during the Trojan war with Achilles.
100
What stage of a hero is Odysseus at?
Odysseus is at the trials and challenges stage because he has to overcome anger and pride in Phaeacia. Phaeacia is just another stop along his journey to get home.
100
What was the old tale that Alcinous heard his father, Nausithous, tell once?
Poseidon was enraged of the escorting of mankind and swore that one day, he would destroy the ships, no matter how well they were built.
100
What seems to be the social status of the bard Demodocus in Phaeacia? How do you know?
Highly respected and he is said to be given the gift of song by the gods.
200
What sport does Odysseus claim that he “would get left in the dust” if he tried to compete against Broadsea? What reason does he give for this?
Sprinting because he has grown weary from his years at sea.
200
When Hephaestus finds Aphrodite and Ares together, what does he do in revenge and anger?
He weaves a net of chains, throws the chains over both of them, and shames them before all of the gods.
200
How does Odysseus respond to Broadsea’s taunts?
Odysseus feels enraged and offended of Broadsea’s taunts and wants to prove himself by competing in the games.
200
From whom did Odysseus learn the “swift, intricate knot” with which he ties up the chest given to him by Arete?
He learns it from Circe, who is the daughter of the sun god, Apollo, and the goddess of magic and sorcery.
200
What does Odysseus promise to Nausicaa when he is departing?
Odysseus thanks Nausicaa and promises that he will return home and pray to her.
300
What games in particular are mentioned in book 8?
Boxing, wrestling, racing, discus, and archery
300
What allusion does the bard make in his song?
The bard alludes to the Battle of Troy and how Athena helps Odysseus and Epheus with the Trojan Horse.
300
Why does Athena choose to change Odysseus’ physical appearance?
Athena “lavishes a marvelous splendor” upon Odysseus so that the Phaeacians would view him with respect, kindness, and look up to him.
300
Describe at least three ways in which Athena assists Odysseus in this book.
Super-human strength to win the contests Helps build the wooden horse for Epeus and Odysseus Made Odysseus look like a “true” hero when introduced
300
What gift does Odysseus give to Demodocus?
Odysseus thanks him for playing music by giving him a strip of loin from a white- tusked boar.
400
What emotions does Odysseus display in the speech that he makes after hurling the discus farther than any of the Phaeacians?
Odysseus showed pride and arrogance because he was better at discus than the rest of the Phaeacians
400
Describe the plot for “The Love of Ares and Aphrodite Crowned with Flowers."
In this song Hephaestus finds out that Aphrodite is cheating on him with Ares and proceeds to set a trap using his unparalleled forging abilities and ensnares them for all of the other gods and goddesses to see.
400
What gift does Broadsea give to Odysseus in repentance from his insults?
Broadsea gives Odysseus a bronze sword with a hilt with silver studs to make amends with him.
400
Who does Athena disguise herself as near the beginning of book 8?
She disguises herself as a town crier and spreads good word of Odysseus so the Phaeacian king will help Odysseus go back home.
400
What does Alcinous describe as “the gods’ work” towards the end of the Book?
He describes “the gods’ work” as deciding death: “spinning threads of death/ through the lives of mortal men”. This is an allusion specifically to the Fates, the goddesses who decide mortal’s destinies.
500
What point is Odysseus trying to make when he says that “another man may look like a deathless one on high/ but there’s not a bit of grace to crown his words”?
He is insulting Broadsea by giving an analogy to someone who looks fierce and tough, yet cannot do what he says. Broadsea is taunting Odysseus about the games, when he cannot do any of them.
500
What is the effect of each song on Demodocus's audience?
Battle between Odysseus and Achilles = Makes Odysseus cry; A love story about Ares and Aphrodite = Everyone enjoys the feast; The Trojan Horse = Makes Odysseus cry again
500
Why does Odysseus at first not wish to compete against Broadsea? What does Broadsea say that makes him change his mind?
He has suffered through many trials and is sad because he is away from his home. Broadsea mocks him and states that Odysseus is “not an athlete”, and Odysseus, because of his pride, decides to compete against him after all.
500
Ares is often referred to as “War” in “The Love of Ares and Aphrodite Crowned with Flower.” What are these other gods and goddesses referred to as? Aphrodite, Hephaestus, Apollo, Hermes, and Poseidon?
Aphrodite = Golden and blissful; Hephaestus = fire god and Master craftsman; Apollo = The archer; Hermes = Running god of luck; Poseidon = God of the earthquake;
500
Compare and contrast the characters Broadsea and Odysseus.
Broadsea and Odysseus are both prideful; however, Odysseus’ pride derives from his desire to defend his own honor, while Broadsea’s pride comes from the desire to crush his opponent’s honor.