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Odyssey, Part 2
Reading and Analysis Guide
Reading Skill: Historical and Cultural Context (p. 1092)
1. What do lines 1021–1029 suggest about the way ancient Greeks responded to the
presence of a god?
Literary Analysis: Epic Simile (p.1093)
2. To what are Odysseus’ and Telemachus’ cries compared in the epic simile in lines 1063–
1065?
Reading Check (p. 1093 – 1094)
3. Why is Telemachus initially doubtful that the man before him is Odysseus his father? Use
textual evidence to support your answer.
Reading Skill: Historical and Cultural Context (p. 1094)
4. What does Odysseus’ statement in lines 1109–1111 suggest about ancient Greek beliefs
about the gods’ interest in human affairs?
Reading Check (p. 1095 – 1096)
5. How does Odysseus tell his son to respond if the suitors “practice shots” on Odysseus?
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Reading Skill: Historical and Cultural Context
6. How do Eumaeus’ beliefs about servitude and slavery compare with those of your own
culture?
Eumaeus’ Beliefs
Modern American Culture
a.
a.
b.
b.
c.
c.
d.
d.
Reading Check (p. 1097)
7. How does Antinous react to Odysseus, who is disguised as a beggar?
Reading Skill: Historical and Cultural Context (p. 1098)
8. What conflicting values does this exchange between Antinous and Odysseus reveal? Use
textual evidence to support your answer.
Reading Skill: Historical and Cultural Context (p. 1098)
9. What values regarding the use of physical force are evident in this speech? Use textual
evidence to support your answer.
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Reading Skill: Historical and Cultural Context (p. 1099)
10. What ancient Greek belief is conveyed in this suitor’s speech? Use textual evidence to
support your answer.
Reading Check (p. 1099)
11. How does Penelope regard Antinous?
Reading Skill: Historical and Cultural Context (p. 1100 – 1101)
12. How do the ancient Greek ideas in Penelope’s speech about honoring the dead compare
to modern ideas?
Greek Ideas in Penelope’s Speech
Modern American Ideas
a.
a.
b.
b.
c.
c.
d.
d.
Reading Check (p. 1101)
13. How was Penelope able to delay marriage for three years?
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Reading Check (p. 1103)
14. What means does Penelope decide she will use to choose a husband?
Literary Terms: Imagery (p. 1103)
15. How does the author use imagery in his description of the arrow being shot?
Odysseus’ Revenge
Reading Skill: Historical and Cultural Context (p. 1107)
15. Does the manner in which Odysseus kills Antinous agree with your idea of a “fair fight”?
Thoroughly explain your thought and reasons.
Reading Check (1107 – 1108)
16. Whom does Odysseus kill first?
Reading Skill: Historical and Cultural Context (p. 1108)
17. What cultural values are revealed by Odysseus’ explanation for his anger in lines 1441–
1444? Refer to textual specifics in support of your answer.
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Literary Analysis: Epic Simile (p. 1109)
18. Why is the comparison of Eurymachus’ sharp sword to a razor only a similie and not an
epic simile?
Reading Check 1109 – 1010)
19. What does Eurymachus offer Odysseus to try to calm his anger?
Reading Skill: Historical and Cultural Context (p. 1110 -1111)
20. What cultural values are reflected in Telemachus’ behavior toward his father? Use textual
evidence to support your answer.
Literary Analysis: Epic Simile (p. 1111)
21. Which aspects of the slain suitors’ appearance does the epic simile in lines 1535–1539
emphasize?
Literary Analysis: Epic Simile (p. 1111)
22. Which details in the epic simile in lines 1547–1551 compare Odysseus’ hair to a work of
art? Be specific.
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Reading Check P. 1111)
23. Who helps Odysseus defeat the suitors?
Literary Analysis: Epic Simile (line 1580, p. 1112)
24. Explain why the simile comparing the olive trunk to a pillar is not an epic simile. Use
textual evidence and definitions from your text to support your answer.
Reading Check (p. 1113)
25. How does Odysseus react to Penelope’s attitude toward him?
Literary Analysis: Epic Simile (p. 113-114)
26. In what way does this epic simile recall the dangers Odysseus faced on his journey home?