Name________________________________________________________________________ Period:______
Odyssey Reading Activity - Books 21-24
You will work in groups of three (or four) for this activity. You will each take turns reading portions of the
Odyssey out loud and will stop at the points described by the worksheet. Pause for a moment, answer the
questions on your own, and then discuss in a group. Add to your notes as you hear new and interesting ideas
from your group members.
Number off from 1- 4. Number 3 will be your recorder today.
1. The first person will begin reading Book 21. Read to the bold subheading (…though I dream it only) and
STOP.
 What is the contest? What are ax-helve sockets?
2. The second person will begin reading “Many of the suitors boldly try to string the bow” and continue
through (…and lash it) and STOP.
 How did Odysseus test the loyalty of the swineherd and the cowherd? How do they prove they can
be trusted?

What is Odysseus preparing to do?

If you were Odysseus, how would you get revenge?
3. The third person will begin reading with the paragraph in italics directly after “…and lash it” and continue
to the end of the Book 21.
 In your opinion, is Odysseus justified in killing the suitors?
4. The second person will read Book 22 DEATH AT THE PALACE and continue to the end of Book 22.
 Who does Odysseus kill first? How does he kill him?

What deal does Eurymachus try to make with Odysseus?

What happens to the maids that have betrayed the household?
5. The fourth person in your group (if your group only has three people, the oldest member in your group)
will begin reading Book 23 ODYSSEUS AND PENELOPE. Read through “Could someone else’s hand have
sawn that trunk and dragged the frame away? and STOP.
 According to Odysseus, what does the bed look like?
6. The first person in your group will finish reading Book 23.
 How does Penelope “test” Odysseus to make sure he is who he says he is?
7. The third person in your group will read all of Book 24.
 Who wants to kill Odysseus? How do Zeus and Athena stop them?

How does the epic end?

What are your opinions about this epic story? Did you like it?
Answer the Books 21-24 questions at the end of your reading packet.