“The Odyssey”
by Homer
Reading and Writing
Activities
Tell the Story and Calypso, the
Sweet Nymph
Pages 1037-1042
Hopefully you read all the assigned
pages and completed the reading
activities and questions.
Pretend that you are Odysseus. During
your long journey home you have
become fearful that you will never
return home to see you wife and son.
You have decided to keep a journal of
your adventures in the hope that
someone will find it and give it to your
family so they will know the true story
of your experiences.
Tell the Story
Pages 1037-1038
A. Summarizing – Read this invocation
to the Muse aloud. What does
Homer tell you about the hero and
what is going to happen to him?
Tell the Story and Calypso, the Sweet
Nymph
Pages 1037-1042
Write the first entry in your journal
about the experience on Calypso’s
island.
Begin by making a list of the important
events and details revealed in this
section.
Next, use the information to write 2-3
paragraphs from Odysseus’s point of
view about the challenges faced in this
section of text.
Remember this is meant for his wife and
son to eventually see.
Calypso, the Sweet Nymph
A. Analyzing Historical Context – What do
the characters of the gods reveal about
the beliefs of the ancient Greeks?
B. Epic Heroes & Conflict – How does the
natural beauty of Calypso’s island
contrast with the internal conflict that
Odysseus is experiencing?
C. Asking Questions – Calypso claims it is
her idea to release Odysseus. Why do you
think she does this?
D. Summarizing – How does Odysseus say
no to Calypso’s offer of immortality and
still not offend her?
Calypso, the Sweet Nymph
Pages 1038-1042
1. Why does Calypso let Odysseus leave her island?
2. How does Odysseus answer Calypso’s questions
about why he wants to return to his wife?
3. How does Poseidon interfere with Odysseus’s
escape from the island?
4. Where does Odysseus arrive at the end of the
scene?
Suggestions for the Journal
1. Identify and Describe the
Setting
2. Identify and Describe the
Characters
3. Explain how “YOU” ended up
there
4. Explain how “YOU” worked to
escape and/or avoid the
dangers of the situation
5. Tell the thoughts and feelings
“YOU” are having about
different things (life, family,
friends, the gods…)
I Am Laertes’ Son…
A. Epic Heroes & Conflict – What does
Odysseus’s introduction of himself
tell you about the traits that the
Greeks admired in an epic hero?
B. Epic Heroes & Conflict – In this
conflict Odysseus loses control over
his men. What does this tell you
about his abilities as a leader?
C. Analyzing Historical Context – Much
of this story involves sea travel.
What concerns might a seagoing
nation have?
The Lotus Eaters
A. Asking Questions – Why does
Odysseus tie down the three men?
Based on Odysseus’s actions, what
can you infer about his attitude
toward his crew?
The Lotus Eaters
1. Explain the danger that the LotusEaters represent for Odysseus and
his crew. What could they be in our
society?
Graphic Novel
Pages 1048-1058
Put your name on the back of your paper.
Identify the scene and page your
illustrations represent.
Write a brief summary of the events seen
in the illustrations.
Write the missing dialogue in the
“bubbles”.
You may need to use noises and sounds
as well.
We will put all of the pages in order once
we are finished.
The Cyclops
A. Epic Heroes & Conflict (1048)–
Epic heroes need a mighty
opponent to show how resourceful
they can be. How does Homer
make it clear that Odysseus faces
a formidable opponent in the
Cyclops?
B. Analyzing Historical Context
(1048)– In this passage Odysseus
informs the Cyclops that Zeus will
punish the Cyclops if he injures or
harms his guests. What can you
infer about Greek society from this
statement?
The Cyclops
C. Asking Questions (1050)– Why
doesn’t Odysseus kill the Cyclops
at this moment? What must
Odysseus consider when devising
an escape plan?
The Cyclops
D. Paraphrasing (1051)– What
does Odysseus do with the
stake? Explain in your own
words.
E. Epic Heroes & Conflict
(1051)– As the leader and
hero, Odysseus could have
simply chosen the men he
wanted for the job. Why do
you think he draws lots?
F. Epic Heroes & Conflict
(1055)– What heroic
character trait is Odysseus
showing?
The Cyclops
G. Asking Questions (1057) –
Odysseus’s love of boasting is one of
his character traits. Is he wise for
revealing his name to the Cyclops?
Why or why not? Why do you think
he reveals his name?
H. Epic Heroes & Conflict (1057)–
Heroes and their opponents often
have character flaws that can undo
them. What character flaws have led
to the Cyclops’s downfall?
I. Summarizing (1058)– How has
Odysseus handled himself in this
dangerous situation?
The Cyclops
Literary Response Question
Read the text carefully and note the
words and actions of Odysseus as he
faces the challenge of the Cyclops.
Has Odysseus behaved like
an epic hero should
behave?
What specific actions and
words support your
judgment?
Use text evidence and details to
support your thoughts and
ideas.
Is Odysseus an Epic Hero?
1. Represents the values of the society
2. Is an Exceptional Person
3. Undertake difficult quests or journeys
to achieve something of tremendous
value to themselves or their people
4. Experience many obstacles or
challenges
•
External Conflicts – created by forces
of nature (or the gods)
•
Internal Conflicts – they struggle to
overcome their own feelings or fears
The Enchantress Circe
&
The Land of the Dead
• Read the sections of text
• Complete the annotation chart
as you read each page
• Pay attention to the Literary
and Reading Focus Questions
The Land of the Dead
A. Analyzing Historical Context
(1061)– Sacrificial offerings to the
gods have been mentioned several
times. Why might such a ritual have
been important to the ancient
Greeks?
B. Asking Questions (1062) – What is
happening here? Where is
Odysseus?
The Land of the Dead
C. Summarizing (1064) – What does
the prophecy reveal about
Odysseus’s destiny? How does the
prophecy increase the feeling of
suspense in the story?
The Enchantress Circe
& The Land of the Dead
Literary Response Question
Read the text carefully and note the words and
actions of Odysseus as he faces the challenge
of Circe and the Land of the Dead.
Which character traits have helped
Odysseus overcome the
challenges he has faced in this
section of the text?
Use text evidence and details to support
your thoughts and ideas.
The Land of the Dead
Teiresias the Blind Prophet of Thebes
Make a list of ALL the
pieces of information
Odysseus learns from
Teiresias during his time
in the underworld.
•
Knows Odysseus wants a fair wind and the lights of home
•
Anguish lies ahead
•
Poseidon is angry
•
One narrow strait; denial of yourself and restraint of
shipmates *more on this soon
•
Land on Thrinakia – avoid the cattle
•
If not your ship and crew will be destroyed, and
Odysseus will travel alone for years
•
Odysseus will arrive home under a strange sail
•
His house will be filled with trouble; insolent men will be
eating his livestock and courting his wife
•
Odysseus will make them atone in blood
•
Odysseus will need to make a sacrifice to Poseidon – oar
in the ground, sacrifice a ram or other animal
•
Completing the sacrifice will grant Odysseus a “sea
death” once he is old and his country at peace
Place a
next to any
detail that is a positive
for Odysseus
Place a
next to any
detail that is a negative
for Odysseus
Let’s Play a Game
1. Think about how this story could be
turned into a board game.
2. Identify the characters we have seen so
far in the text. Make a list of each
character and include a few details about
each one.
3. Identify the settings of the story. List
them in the order Odysseus visits them.
Briefly describe each location.
4. Consider the challenges and obstacles
that Odysseus has faced and how he has
overcome them.
Let’s Play a Game
5. Create two sections of the game board.
>Trojan War>The Lotus Eaters>
Cyclops>Circe>Land of the Dead
>Calypso>Phaeacians>(Home-Ithaca)
6. Design and decorate your section of the
game to reveal as much as possible about
the story.
The Text
The Video
Both
People and Places in
The Odyssey
1. Read the information on pages
1032-1033.
2. Create a chart to categorize the
characters and places listed in the
section.
3. Your chart should be divided into
at least four different categories.
4. Be sure to include the description
of each entry in your chart.
5. Make sure the chart is clear, easy to
read, and useful as a tool to help you
better comprehend the text.
Is the Odyssey an Epic Myth?
1. A physically impressive hero of national or
historical importance
2. A vast setting
3. A quest or journey undertaken in search
of something of value
4. The involvement of supernatural forces
5. A basis in a specific culture or society
6. Characters struggling against fate
Is the Odyssey an Epic
Myth?
What are the elements of epic
literature?
Which element(s) can be seen in the
Odyssey?
Which element do you think has
been the most important?
The Sirens; Scylla and Charybdis
Circe’s Warnings and Advice
“The Sirens”
•
Locate and copy 5-7 words or
phrases Circe uses to describe the
Sirens.
•
Create an illustration of the Sirens
based on the text details you
selected.
•
Explain what makes an encounter
with the Sirens dangerous.
The Sirens; Scylla and Charybdis
Circe’s Warnings and Advice
“The Sirens”
•
Make a list of 5-7 steps Circe tells
Odysseus to follow as they pass the Sirens.
•
What heroic trait does Odysseus
demonstrate through his actions with the
Sirens?
•
What character flaw does Odysseus
demonstrate through his actions with the
Sirens?
•
What can you infer about the Ancient
Greeks based on his actions?
The Sirens; Scylla and Charybdis
Circe’s Warnings and Advice
“Scylla and Charybdis”
•
Locate and copy 5-7 descriptive
words or phrases Circe uses to
describe Scylla.
•
Create an illustration of Scylla
based on the text details you
selected.
•
Summarize what will definitely
happen if they pass Scylla.
The Sirens; Scylla and Charybdis
Circe’s Warnings and Advice
“Scylla and Charybdis”
•
Locate and copy 5-7 words or
phrases Circe uses to describe
Charybdis.
•
Create an illustration of Charybdis
based on the text details you
selected.
•
What advice does Circe offer
Odysseus? How does she justify
her advice?
The Sirens; Scylla and Charybdis
LITERARY RESPONSE
Write a well-developed paragraph
defending your claim.
Did Odysseus do the “right” thing in
the way he handled the conflicts in
this section of the text?
Provide 3+ SPECIFIC DETAILS to
support YOUR IDEAS.
Be sure to EXPLAIN, CONNECT, and
ELABORATE!!!
The Sirens; Scylla and Charybdis
A. Epic Heroes & Conflict (1065) –
From what you know about
Odysseus, do you think he will try
to avoid the conflict that lies
ahead? EXPLAIN!!!
B. Paraphrasing (1066) – What
dangers lie ahead? List and briefly
describe each one.
The Sirens; Scylla and Charybdis
Literature Link
*Read the poem “Siren’s Song” on
page 1067.
1. Who is the speaker in the poem?
2. What new idea about the Sirens
does the poem express?
The Sirens; Scylla and Charybdis
C. Asking Questions (1068) – Why
does Odysseus put wax in his men’s
ears?
D. Epic Heroes & Conflict (1069) –
Think about the kind of hero
Odysseus is in this story. What does
he tell his men to reassure them?
Why do you think he decides not to
tell them everything he knows?
The Sirens; Scylla and Charybdis
E. Summarizing (1071) – What has
happened? How have Odysseus and
his men managed to escape?
•
Read through the passage and
locate examples of imagery.
(language that appeals to our senses)
•
Locate an example of
personification.
(a nonhuman thing is
described in human terms)
The Cattle of the Sun God
A. Paraphrasing (1072) – What
warning does Odysseus issue his
men upon landing?
B. Paraphrasing (1073) – What is
Eurylochus’s insidious plea?
*What does insidious mean?
The Cattle of the Sun God
C. Epic Heroes & Conflict (1074) –
Odysseus takes the credit when
things go well. Now, when a
disaster occurs, he blames the
gods. What does this reveal about
his character?
D. Summarizing (1074) – What
exactly happened to cause the
gods’ fury?
Part One: The Wanderings
Wrap-Up Activities
1. Questions/Activities 1-11 on page 1075
2. Writing Focus Question on page 1075
(one complete well-developed paragraph)
3. Vocabulary Check 1-5 on page 1076