The Odyssey Reflections and Questions

Transcription

1 The Odyssey Reflections and Questions Directions. Answer the questions for each section of The Odyssey. When you have answered each question, complete the table for each section. On the left side of the table, select concrete details that support your vision of Odysseus. A concrete detail (CD) can be a paraphrase (a summary of an event in your own words) or a direct quote (the exact words written in the text). Each section must have at least one paraphrase and at least one direct quote. On the right side of the table, comment on your concrete detail (do not ask a question; do not use 1 st person). In your commentary (CM), tell what your CD shows. Part I. New Coasts and Poseidon s Son A. I Am Odysseus ( ) 1. Where is Odysseus when the story begins? Why is he unable to return home? 2. Where has Odysseus been detained? 3. For what does Odysseus long for? Describe Odysseus s character in relation to the values of the heroic age. Characteristic CD CM B. "The Island of the Cicones" (Handout) 1. What happened to Odysseus' men on the island of Ismarus? 1

2 2. Does Odysseus have strong leadership characteristics? Explain your answer. 3. Why were Odysseus and his men defeated by the Cicones? Is Odysseus a weak leader or strong leader? Circle one Leadership CD CM C. The Lotus Eaters ( ) 1. What happened to the men who ate the lotus blossoms? 2. Did Odysseus eat the lotus? How did the men get back on the ship? Is Odysseus a weak leader or strong leader? (He may now have characteristics of both.) Leadership CD CM D. The Cyclops ( ) 1. What is a Cyclops? Give at least three (3) examples of why the Cyclops were considered barbarians. 2

3 2. Whose idea is it to go see the Cyclops? What do the rest of the men want to do? Why? 3. To the ancient Greeks, treating a guest well was very important. How does the Cyclops treat Odysseus? 4. What does the Cyclops say about Zeus? What do you think Zeus might do? 5. Explain how Odysseus planned to escape in your own words. 6. Give three examples of Odysseus s wit (sense of humor; conceit): a. b. c. 7. Give two (2) examples of bad decisions that Odysseus made. a. b. Identify Odysseus s weaknesses and strengths as a leader. How is he changing? Leadership CD CM

4 Part II. Sea Perils and Defeat A. Circe and the Sirens ( ) 1. Who are the Sirens and how do they lure men to their deaths? 2. What is Circe s warning to Odysseus? 3. How does Odysseus protect his men from danger? 4. What risk does Odysseus take regarding himself? How is Odysseus showing the strong leadership qualities of the Epic hero? (Use your notes) Quality CD CM B. Scylla and Charybdis ( ) 1. Who/What is Scylla? Who/What is Charybdis? 2. What difficult decision does Odysseus face? Does he take Circe s advice? 3. Do you think Odysseus made the right decision not to tell his men what would probably happen? Why? How is Odysseus showing strong leadership qualities of the Epic Hero? (Use your notes) Quality CD CM 4

5 C. Cattle of the Sun God ( ) Beginning on line What warning does Odysseus give his men when they land on the island of the Sun God (Apollo)? 2. Who is Eurylochus? What does he persuade the men to do? 3. The men sacrifice part of their feast to the gods, hoping that they will be forgiven for what they did. What is Zeus reaction? 4. What happens to Odysseus men? What happens to Odysseus? How is Odysseus showing strong leadership qualities that demonstrate the values of the Heroic Age? (Use your notes.) Qualities of Heroic Age CD CM Part III 5

6 A. Father and Son ( ) 1. Why does Telemachus think Odysseus is a God? 2. How does Odysseus convince Telemachus that he is his father? 3. Odysseus realizes that there are too many suitors who want to marry Penelope, so he chooses not to fight. What is his plan of action? How is Odysseus showing strong leadership qualities that demonstrate the values of the Heroic Age? (Use your notes.) Qualities CD CM B. The Beggar at the Manor ( ) 1. How is Odysseus disguised? For what does he ask? 2. Think about Odysseus adventure with the Cyclops. How does Odysseus react differently to Antinous than he did to the Cyclops? 3. Why does Odysseus make the decision not to fight Antinous? What qualities of the epic hero is he possessing? Qualities CD CM 6

7 C. The Test of the Bow 1. Penelope ( ) 1. Dramatic irony is when the reader knows something that the characters in the story do not. Penelope meets her husband Odysseus, disguised as a beggar, and does not know that he is Odysseus. Why does Odysseus keep his identity a secret from his wife? 2. What kind of woman is Penelope? D. The Challenge ( ) 1. What is Penelope s challenge? Why does she give a challenge to the suitors? 2. Why does Odysseus make the decision to keep his identity hidden, even after he meets the challenge? What qualities of the Heroic Age is he possessing? Qualities CD CM Part IV 7

8 A. Death in the Great Hall ( ) 1. Who is the first person Odysseus kills? 2. Eurymachus tries to convince Odysseus to spare the suitor s lives. What reason does Odysseus give for refusing? 3. Do you think Odysseus revenge is excessive? Give at least two (2) reasons for your opinion. What qualities of the Bronze Age the suitors possessing? Qualities CD CM B. The Trunk of the Olive Tree ( ) 1. How does Penelope react to Odysseus before she challenges Odysseus? 2. How does Odysseus prove to Penelope that he is her husband? 3. Odysseus acceptance by Penelope is the climax of the entire epic. Why do you think this is the climax? Explain. 8