Monday, November 30, 2009
Study Questions
Book 13
41. How do Poseidon and Zeus interact in this book? What is the balance of power between them? How does Zeus assert his authority?
42. How does Odysseus handle his return to Ithaca? How much does he tell those he meets about his true identity and intentions? How much help does Athena give him?
43. How is this book pivotal regarding the action of the Odyssey as a whole? What necessary qualities, that is, does Odysseus show in this first step of his return to power?
Book 14
44. What is the function of Eumaeus the swineherd? How does he treat Odysseus, and how does Odysseus treat him? How much of the truth does Odysseus tell him?
Book 15
45. What is Telemachus' main diplomatic challenge in this book? How does Athena help him meet the challenge?
46. What role does Helen play in this book? What does the prophecy she makes reveal about her? Why might it be significant, in terms of the Odyssey as a whole, that Helen, whose misbehavior towards her husband set in motion the Trojan War, gives Telemachus a robe to bestow upon his future bride?
47. Who is Theoclymenus, and why is it appropriate that Telemachus should treat him kindly?
48. What is Eumaeus' own story, as he recounts it to Odysseus? Does the story indicate why Eumaeus is especially loyal to Odysseus? If so, what's the reason?
Book 16
49. In this book Odysseus reveals his identity to Telemachus. What does the reaction of the two characters tell us about the Greeks' attitude towards the expression of emotion? How does their attitude differ from ours? (Think of American film heroes like John Wayne or Clint Eastwood.)
50. In what ways does Telemachus show in this book that he has matured?
Book 17
51. In Elizabethan revenge tragedies, it is common for the villain to declare himself a thorough rascal. In what way do Melanthius the goatherd and the suitors throw away a chance to redeem themselves in this book? Why do they fail?
52. Around line 480 Odysseus tells a "resourceful" tale, namely that he was sold into slavery in Egypt. Although the tale is a lie, what purpose does it serve, aside from establishing some cover for Odysseus in concealing his true identity?
Book 18
53. Why is it appropriate that Odysseus disguise himself from the suitors (with Athena's help) as a beggar?
54. Why is it significant that Odysseus overcomes the swaggering beggar Irus?
55. What part does Athena play in this book? That is, what effect does she have on Odysseus and the suitors?
Book 19
56. Penelope questions the stranger (Odysseus in disguise) closely, and he claims to be Aethon from Crete. Do you think that Penelope knows or suspects Odysseus' real identity? Why or why not?
57. Whether she suspects anything or not, how does Penelope test the stranger? What qualities does she manifest in this book that make her a worthy match for Odysseus?
58. Interpret the dream that Penelope relates to the stranger towards the book's end. Does it reveal things about her stance towards the suitors that would probably surprise even her?
59. Why does Penelope tell the stranger about the contest to string Odysseus' bow that she is planning to announce?
Book 20
60. What portents announce the struggle to come? How does Odysseus react to them?
61. Athena inspires the suitors to behave even more inappropriately than usual. Why does she do that? What effect does their behavior have on Odysseus and Telemachus?
Book 21
62. Penelope fetches Odysseus' bow and announces the contest to the suitors. How do the suitors again prove that they deserve the "blood wedding" that awaits them?
63. The suitors mock at the stranger for wanting to take his turn with the bow. Penelope tells them to let him go ahead - why?
64. Odysseus strings his own bow at the book's end. How does Homer handle this moment? For example, why don't we hear anything from the suitors right after Odysseus shoots his first arrow?
Book 22
65. As logic dictates, Antinous is the first to die. How do the remaining suitors try to appease Odysseus? Why, in view of the Odyssey's task as we have discussed it in class, would it be inappropriate for Odysseus to accept their arguments or pleas?
66. At what points in the struggle is Athena active? How much does she help Odysseus, and how much credit is mainly his?
67. Why might it be significant, in light of the Odyssey's task as we have discussed it in class, that around line 400 Odysseus, in Fagles' translation, refers to the work that remains to be done in the book as "household chores"?
68. How do Odysseus and Telemachus deal with Melanthius the goatherd and the women who sported with the suitors? Consider the intensity of the violence throughout this book - do you find it unsettling or "over the top"? Why or why not? Does the epic narrator take up an attitude towards the violence?
Book 23
69. Why does the text refrain from making Penelope recognize Odysseus outright? Why does Penelope insist on testing Odysseus even after all that he has done in the hall?
70. Why is it appropriate that the couple's bed should be involved in the main test of Odysseus' identity?
71. Around line 300, Odysseus recounts the prophecy that Tiresias had made about the King's further adventure and death in old age? Why would Homer remind us of this prophecy, just as the poem achieves its goal of bringing Odysseus home and reestablishing him successfully as master of Ithaca?
Book 24
72. Describe the interaction of the suitors' shades with others in Hades. How do Agamemnon and Achilles view each other's fates?
73. How does Odysseus test his father Laertes, now living a hard life, after the slaughter has been accomplished? What's the point of testing his father?
74. What problem remains for Odysseus to deal with, even though he has rid himself of the suitors and their hangers-on? What reason do the suitors' surviving kin give for their attempt to kill Odysseus? Is it grief alone, or something different?
75. How does the reconciliation between Odysseus and the surviving kin occur? Without Athena's divine assistance, what would be the prospects for immediate or eventual reconciliation?
41. How do Poseidon and Zeus interact in this book? What is the balance of power between them? How does Zeus assert his authority?
42. How does Odysseus handle his return to Ithaca? How much does he tell those he meets about his true identity and intentions? How much help does Athena give him?
43. How is this book pivotal regarding the action of the Odyssey as a whole? What necessary qualities, that is, does Odysseus show in this first step of his return to power?
Book 14
44. What is the function of Eumaeus the swineherd? How does he treat Odysseus, and how does Odysseus treat him? How much of the truth does Odysseus tell him?
Book 15
45. What is Telemachus' main diplomatic challenge in this book? How does Athena help him meet the challenge?
46. What role does Helen play in this book? What does the prophecy she makes reveal about her? Why might it be significant, in terms of the Odyssey as a whole, that Helen, whose misbehavior towards her husband set in motion the Trojan War, gives Telemachus a robe to bestow upon his future bride?
47. Who is Theoclymenus, and why is it appropriate that Telemachus should treat him kindly?
48. What is Eumaeus' own story, as he recounts it to Odysseus? Does the story indicate why Eumaeus is especially loyal to Odysseus? If so, what's the reason?
Book 16
49. In this book Odysseus reveals his identity to Telemachus. What does the reaction of the two characters tell us about the Greeks' attitude towards the expression of emotion? How does their attitude differ from ours? (Think of American film heroes like John Wayne or Clint Eastwood.)
50. In what ways does Telemachus show in this book that he has matured?
Book 17
51. In Elizabethan revenge tragedies, it is common for the villain to declare himself a thorough rascal. In what way do Melanthius the goatherd and the suitors throw away a chance to redeem themselves in this book? Why do they fail?
52. Around line 480 Odysseus tells a "resourceful" tale, namely that he was sold into slavery in Egypt. Although the tale is a lie, what purpose does it serve, aside from establishing some cover for Odysseus in concealing his true identity?
Book 18
53. Why is it appropriate that Odysseus disguise himself from the suitors (with Athena's help) as a beggar?
54. Why is it significant that Odysseus overcomes the swaggering beggar Irus?
55. What part does Athena play in this book? That is, what effect does she have on Odysseus and the suitors?
Book 19
56. Penelope questions the stranger (Odysseus in disguise) closely, and he claims to be Aethon from Crete. Do you think that Penelope knows or suspects Odysseus' real identity? Why or why not?
57. Whether she suspects anything or not, how does Penelope test the stranger? What qualities does she manifest in this book that make her a worthy match for Odysseus?
58. Interpret the dream that Penelope relates to the stranger towards the book's end. Does it reveal things about her stance towards the suitors that would probably surprise even her?
59. Why does Penelope tell the stranger about the contest to string Odysseus' bow that she is planning to announce?
Book 20
60. What portents announce the struggle to come? How does Odysseus react to them?
61. Athena inspires the suitors to behave even more inappropriately than usual. Why does she do that? What effect does their behavior have on Odysseus and Telemachus?
Book 21
62. Penelope fetches Odysseus' bow and announces the contest to the suitors. How do the suitors again prove that they deserve the "blood wedding" that awaits them?
63. The suitors mock at the stranger for wanting to take his turn with the bow. Penelope tells them to let him go ahead - why?
64. Odysseus strings his own bow at the book's end. How does Homer handle this moment? For example, why don't we hear anything from the suitors right after Odysseus shoots his first arrow?
Book 22
65. As logic dictates, Antinous is the first to die. How do the remaining suitors try to appease Odysseus? Why, in view of the Odyssey's task as we have discussed it in class, would it be inappropriate for Odysseus to accept their arguments or pleas?
66. At what points in the struggle is Athena active? How much does she help Odysseus, and how much credit is mainly his?
67. Why might it be significant, in light of the Odyssey's task as we have discussed it in class, that around line 400 Odysseus, in Fagles' translation, refers to the work that remains to be done in the book as "household chores"?
68. How do Odysseus and Telemachus deal with Melanthius the goatherd and the women who sported with the suitors? Consider the intensity of the violence throughout this book - do you find it unsettling or "over the top"? Why or why not? Does the epic narrator take up an attitude towards the violence?
Book 23
69. Why does the text refrain from making Penelope recognize Odysseus outright? Why does Penelope insist on testing Odysseus even after all that he has done in the hall?
70. Why is it appropriate that the couple's bed should be involved in the main test of Odysseus' identity?
71. Around line 300, Odysseus recounts the prophecy that Tiresias had made about the King's further adventure and death in old age? Why would Homer remind us of this prophecy, just as the poem achieves its goal of bringing Odysseus home and reestablishing him successfully as master of Ithaca?
Book 24
72. Describe the interaction of the suitors' shades with others in Hades. How do Agamemnon and Achilles view each other's fates?
73. How does Odysseus test his father Laertes, now living a hard life, after the slaughter has been accomplished? What's the point of testing his father?
74. What problem remains for Odysseus to deal with, even though he has rid himself of the suitors and their hangers-on? What reason do the suitors' surviving kin give for their attempt to kill Odysseus? Is it grief alone, or something different?
75. How does the reconciliation between Odysseus and the surviving kin occur? Without Athena's divine assistance, what would be the prospects for immediate or eventual reconciliation?
Friday, November 20, 2009
Book 12
Questions
1. What does Odysseus do when he returns to Aiaia?
2. What advice does Kirkê give Odysseus regarding Skylla and Kharybdis?
3. What does Odysseus use for his men and for himself to escape the lure of the sierenes?
4. Does Odysseus warn his men about all the dangers that lay in their path?
5. How many men does he lose to Skylla?
6. Why are Odysseus' men starving on the island of the sun god?
7. How is Eurylokhos responsible for the death of Odysseus' crew?
8. Which god asks for the men to be killed?
9. Which god sends the storm and wrecks his ship?
10. How does Odysseus save himself?
11. Where does the story of Odysseus' journey end?
1. What does Odysseus do when he returns to Aiaia?
2. What advice does Kirkê give Odysseus regarding Skylla and Kharybdis?
3. What does Odysseus use for his men and for himself to escape the lure of the sierenes?
4. Does Odysseus warn his men about all the dangers that lay in their path?
5. How many men does he lose to Skylla?
6. Why are Odysseus' men starving on the island of the sun god?
7. How is Eurylokhos responsible for the death of Odysseus' crew?
8. Which god asks for the men to be killed?
9. Which god sends the storm and wrecks his ship?
10. How does Odysseus save himself?
11. Where does the story of Odysseus' journey end?
Book 11
Questions
1. What does Odysseus have to do which allows the dead to recognize and speak to him?
2. What does Elpenor ask Odysseus to put on top of his grave?
3. What act of penance does Odysseus have to do after he deals with the suitors?
4. How did Odysseus' mother die?
5. Why can't Odysseus embrace his mother?
6. How does Homer remind us we are hearing a story told to the people of Phaiákia?
7. What view of women does Agamemnon's story suggest?
8. What does Achilles ask Odysseus about?
9. Who is the Trojan hero who refuses to speak to Odysseus
10. Part of our understanding of Hades comes from the views of Minos, Tantalus, and Sisyphus. Who were they and what were their punishments?
11. Who is the last great hero that Odysseus sees before leaving the land of the dead?
1. What does Odysseus have to do which allows the dead to recognize and speak to him?
2. What does Elpenor ask Odysseus to put on top of his grave?
3. What act of penance does Odysseus have to do after he deals with the suitors?
4. How did Odysseus' mother die?
5. Why can't Odysseus embrace his mother?
6. How does Homer remind us we are hearing a story told to the people of Phaiákia?
7. What view of women does Agamemnon's story suggest?
8. What does Achilles ask Odysseus about?
9. Who is the Trojan hero who refuses to speak to Odysseus
10. Part of our understanding of Hades comes from the views of Minos, Tantalus, and Sisyphus. Who were they and what were their punishments?
11. Who is the last great hero that Odysseus sees before leaving the land of the dead?
Thursday, November 12, 2009
Book 8
1. Why do the people assemble with Alkínoös and Odysseus?
2. What song does Demódokos sing?
3. How does Odysseus react?
4. Who is the first to challenge Odysseus to a contest?
5. Who insults Odysseus with his taunts?
6. What does Odysseus do to meet the challenge?
7. What second song does Demódokos sing?
8. What does the king have his son and Halius do to entertain Odysseus?
9. What gifts is Odysseus given?
10. What song does Odysseus have Demódokos sing about Troy?
11. Why does Alkínoös have Demódokos stop singing?
12. What foreshadowing does Alkínoös give about how Phaiákia will be punished for helping a stranger get home?
13. What is Alkínoös asking for at the end of the book?
2. What song does Demódokos sing?
3. How does Odysseus react?
4. Who is the first to challenge Odysseus to a contest?
5. Who insults Odysseus with his taunts?
6. What does Odysseus do to meet the challenge?
7. What second song does Demódokos sing?
8. What does the king have his son and Halius do to entertain Odysseus?
9. What gifts is Odysseus given?
10. What song does Odysseus have Demódokos sing about Troy?
11. Why does Alkínoös have Demódokos stop singing?
12. What foreshadowing does Alkínoös give about how Phaiákia will be punished for helping a stranger get home?
13. What is Alkínoös asking for at the end of the book?
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Book 7 Questions
Questions
1. How did Pallas Athena protect Odysseus as he went to the palace?
2. What disguise does Athena take?
3. Why is Odysseus overwhelmed by the palace?
4. What statues are at the entrance?
5. At what moment is Odysseus revealed to Arete and Alkínoös?
6. What does Alkínoös agree to do for Odysseus?
7. Why does Arete speak sharply to Odysseus?
8. What is it that Alkínoös would like Odysseus to do for them?
9. Where does Odysseus sleep at the end of the book?
1. How did Pallas Athena protect Odysseus as he went to the palace?
2. What disguise does Athena take?
3. Why is Odysseus overwhelmed by the palace?
4. What statues are at the entrance?
5. At what moment is Odysseus revealed to Arete and Alkínoös?
6. What does Alkínoös agree to do for Odysseus?
7. Why does Arete speak sharply to Odysseus?
8. What is it that Alkínoös would like Odysseus to do for them?
9. Where does Odysseus sleep at the end of the book?
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Book 6 Questions
Questions
1. Why had the Phaiákians moved from their original home to the land of Scheria?
2. How does Athena manipulate Nausikaa to go meet Odysseus?
3. What are the girls doing which awakens Odysseus?
4. What does Odysseus use to cover himself?
5. How do the girls react to Odysseus?
6. How does Nausikaa react to Odysseus?
7. What plan does Nausikaa give to Odysseus to come to the palace?
8. Where is Odysseus at the end of the book?
9. Twice Homer describes the color of wool that Nausikaa's mother spins. What is the color?
1. Why had the Phaiákians moved from their original home to the land of Scheria?
2. How does Athena manipulate Nausikaa to go meet Odysseus?
3. What are the girls doing which awakens Odysseus?
4. What does Odysseus use to cover himself?
5. How do the girls react to Odysseus?
6. How does Nausikaa react to Odysseus?
7. What plan does Nausikaa give to Odysseus to come to the palace?
8. Where is Odysseus at the end of the book?
9. Twice Homer describes the color of wool that Nausikaa's mother spins. What is the color?
Monday, November 9, 2009
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