The Odyssey
English 1 Packet
Name _________________________
Period _____
1
The Odyssey – Unit Calendar
Week of January 25-28 (No School Monday)
Class Plans
Day
 Review Hero’s Journey
1
Day
 Lit Books- Read “Perseus”
2
 Mythology video
Day
 RoM Chapter 15 Quiz
3
 Mythology/Intro to Homer and The Odyssey
Week of January 28-February 4 (Kairos – gone days 2-3)
Class Plans
Day
Begin Reading The Odyssey “Part I”
1
 “Homer Begins His Tale,” “The Sweet Nymph Calypso,” &
Homework
Homework


Finish reading
Work on Part I Short Response


Finish reading
Character of Odysseus worksheet


Finish reading
Work on Part II Short Response


Finish reading
Work on Part II Short Response
“I am Laertes’ Son” (713-721)
Day
2
Day
3
Reading The Odyssey “Part I”
 “The Lotus Eaters” & “Land of the Cyclopes” (721-733)
Read The Odyssey “Part II”
 “The Enchantress Circe”& “A Gathering of Shades” (743748)
Day
4
 RoM Chapter 16 Quiz
Read The Odyssey “Part II”
 “Beware the Sirens and Scylla and Charybdis” (748-755)
Week of February 7-11
Class Plans
Day
Read The Odyssey “Part II”
1
 “Helios’s Cattle” (755-759)
Day
Read The Odyssey “Part III”
2
 “Homecoming” & “The Beggar at the Manor” (765-771)
Day
Read The Odyssey “Part III”
3
 “The Test of the Bow” & “Death in the Great Hall”(771-
Homework


Finish reading
Conflicts and Complications


Finish Reading
Work on Part III Short Response


Finish Reading
Work on Part III Short Response



Finish Reading
Characterization Worksheet
Completed Packet due 1 next week
777)
Day
4
 RoM Chapter 17 Quiz
Read The Odyssey “Part III”
 “Odysseus Reunited with Penelope” & “The Sign of the
Olive Tree” (779-784)
Week of February 14-17 (No School on Friday)
Class Plans
Day
 The Odyssey Packets Due
1
 The Odyssey Exam
Day
 Essay Assignment
2
Day
 RoM Chapter 18 Quiz
3
 Work on Essay
Week of February 21-25
Class Plans
Day
 Work on Essay
1
Day
 Turnitin.com Peer Review - Library
2
Homework

Typed Essay Rough Draft Due Day 2 –
Submit to Turnitin.com for Peer
Review
Homework


2nd Turnitin.com Peer Review (done at
home)

Final Draft Due Day 4 Week of
February 28
2
Part I Short Response Questions
DIRECTIONS: Answer the following questions in complete sentences in the spaces
provided.
1. Name the person for whom Odysseus “pine[s] each day” while being held captive in
Calypso’s cave. Describe what is “strategic” about Odysseus’ answer when Calypso
asks if this person is more beautiful than she.
2. Identify the goddess who serves as Odysseus’ protector. Analyze why Homer
selects that specific goddess as his hero’s protector.
3. Recall what Odysseus says to the Cyclopes as his ship escapes. Critique Odysseus’
leadership skills and determine what kind of leader he is. Why does Odysseus gloat
about his escape? Does he protect his crew to the best of his ability? Explain.
3
Literary Analysis: Characterization of Odysseus
A writer creates and develops characters through characterization. In direct
characterization, a writer makes direct comments about a character’s nature and
personality. In indirect characterization, it is up to you to draw conclusions about a
character based on the character’s appearance and what he or she says and does, as
well as what other characters say and do in relation to that character. Much of
Homer’s characterization of Odysseus relies on indirect information from which you can
draw conclusions about this epic hero.
DIRECTIONS: Complete the following chart to examine how Odysseus is characterized in
the episode with Polyphemus. The left column contains examples of what Odysseus says
and does, as well as what other characters say and think about him. Use these details to
examine what this information reveals about the character of Odysseus. The first one
has been done for you.
What Odysseus Says and Does / What
Other Characters Say and Think
About Odysseus
What This Information Reveals About
the Character of Odysseus
1. Odysseus brings along wine and
food to the Cyclops’ cave.
Odysseus is a wise man because he knows
that it is important to be well prepared by
bringing food and drink.
2. Odysseus lies to Polyphemus
about his ship being destroyed.
3. After being attacked, Polyphemus
removes the stone from the
doorway and stands with his arms
open, hoping to catch whoever
tries to run out. Odysseus and his
men escape by hiding under
Polyphemus’s sheep as they pass
out of the door.
4. After they escape from
Polyphemus, Odysseus and his men
evenly divide up the flock sheep.
The men believe that Odysseus
should get the prized ram.
5. Odysseus reminds his men that he
was able to keep his nerve and use
his wits in order to escape from
Polyphemus.
6. Odysseus taunts Polyphemus from
the ship, causing the Cyclops to
throw a large boulder towards
them.
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Part II Short Response Questions
DIRECTIONS: Answer the following questions in complete sentences in the spaces
provided.
1. Repeat Circe’s recommendation regarding Odysseus’ ship passing Scylla and
Charybdis. Determine why Odysseus chooses not to tell his men about Scylla.
2. Identify the advantage Odysseus has over his men in Part II. Differentiate between
the role of Odysseus and his shipmates. What do the contrasts suggest about the
role of the hero in an epic?
5
Analyze Literature: Conflict and Complications
The central conflict of The Odyssey is the struggle of Odysseus and his men to
journey safely home. The safety of the group is constantly threatened as it
encounters complications, or obstacles, along the way.
DIRECTIONS: As you read Part Two of The Odyssey, use the following chart to note the
different complications Odysseus and his crew struggle against and how Odysseus
handles each problem.
Conflict and Complication Chart
Conflict or Complication
How Odysseus Handles the
Problem
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Extended Response
Below, write an organized short essay in which you evaluate Odysseus as a leader.
How would you rate him, and why? Can he be blamed for the terrible things that
happen to his men? Give examples from Part Two that show his good or bad leadership
or decision-making abilities. Use the notes from your chart to help you write.
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Part III Short Response Questions
DIRECTIONS: Answer the following questions in complete sentences in the spaces
provided.
1. How is Odysseus disguised when he arrives in Ithaca? Why would Athena choose to
disguise him?
2. Recall what the suitors tell Odysseus after he reveals himself. How does he
respond? Identify why Homer has Odysseus kill the suitors before revealing his
identity to Penelope.
3. What does it take for Penelope to believe that Odysseus is indeed her husband?
Evaluate whether Penelope is justified in remaining unfriendly to him. Explain.
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Analyzing Literature: Characterization
DIRECTIONS: In the chart, list Odysseus’ characteristics – both his strengths and
weaknesses.
Odysseus’ Strengths
Odysseus’ Weaknesses
Extended Response
Using this chart, find a specific example of one of Odysseus’ strengths and one of his
weaknesses. How is Odysseus a brave hero? In what ways does he let his weaknesses
cause him trouble? Overall, do you think his strengths outweigh his weaknesses, or
vice versa?
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