Preparing for Class: October 6

Reminder: You should bring your copy of The Odyssey to class, since we will begin to look at that today.

THE ODYSSEY

The Major Players

Homer frequently used brief phrases (epithets) to describe his characters. You'll be starting to read The Odyssey this week, so I'd like you to use a hard copy of this list to get your notes on the text started. As you read, make a list of the adjectives, or words and phrases, most often used to describe the following characters:

Odysseus:

 

Zeus:

 

Athene:

 

Poseidon:

 

Penelope:

 

Hermes:

 

Nestor:

 

Menelaus:

 

Helen:

 

Agamemnon:

 

Orestes:

 

Pylos:

 

Argos:

 

Ithaca:

 

The Phaeacians:

 

Circe:

 

Calypso:

 

When you look back at the list, you should reflect on the following questions: What sort of accomplishments make a person famous? What seem to be the most important or useful qualities a person can have in Greek society?

 

THE ODYSSEY

Books 1-4

 

  1. Which two characters are responsible for preventing Odysseus from reaching home?

  2. Who is the first character to speak in the Odyssey? Why is that fact significant?

  3. Who or what, according to Zeus, is responsible for what happens to human beings?

  4. Which Greek hero does Zeus discuss before taking up the problem of Odysseus’ homecoming? Why?
  5. What disguises does Athene use with Telemachus?

  6. As you read, make a list of gift-givings. What is the importance of gift-giving in Homeric culture?

  7. What is the problem with the suitors’ behavior? Who sides with Telemachus? Who sides with the suitors?

  8. Why won’t Telemachus send his mother back to her father?

  9. Describe the scene on the beach when Telemachus lands at Pylos. Make a list of the sacrifices mentioned. What is their importance for Homeric culture?

  10. Who rules Pylos? How old is he?

  11. What is the story of Agamemnon as told by Nestor?

  12. What does Telemachus learn about the Trojan War from Nestor?

  13. What are the people of Sparta doing when Telemachus arrives?

  14. According to Menelaus, how should guests be treated?

  15. Menelaus says that few or none can rival him in what?

  16. What does Helen do to make the men forget their grief?

  17. What story does Helen tell about Odysseus?

  18. What story does Menelaus tell about Odysseus?

  19. How did Menelaus capture Proteus, the Old Man of the Sea? When questioning Proteus, what does Menelaus learn about his brother, Agamemnon?

  20. What sort of homecoming does Antinous plan for Telemachus?

  21. Why do you think the first four books of the Odyssey are about Telemachus?

     

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