DO NOT WRITE ON THE TEST!!!!
Odyssey Review
TEST A
1. Why does Homer state, “Sing in me and through me tell the story
of that man skilled in all ways of contending,” at the beginning of his epic?
He is asking the muse to inspire him to tell the story well.
2. Homer writes the Odyssey using what narrative(plot) structure?
Linear or non linear
3. Who functions as the Sage in Odysseus’ Hero’s Journey?
Zeus, Athena or Posiedon
4. Odysseus is described as a man who is “skilled in all ways of contending.” Does this mean that he
is only skilled physically or intellectually also?
5.
Odysseus tells King Alcinous that home and family are more important than a house of gold.
6. In line 48 of Book 9, Odysseus explains that after his men consumed the lotus flower he “drove
them, all three wailing, to the ships.” This best demonstrates the character trait of loyalty and
leadership.
7. Odysseus shows a great disrespect for the Cyclops because the Cyclops race does not value which
aspects of Greek culture? See study guide questions
8. When given an epic simile, be able to determine what is being compared. Use the epic simile’s
pointed out in your text to help you.
9. In Odysseus’ encounter with the Cyclops, his plan to blind the Cyclops best reveals the character
trait of intelligence and cunning or brute strength? Explain why.
10. The father of Polyphemus is ____________.
11. What is Odysseus’ tragic flaw?
12. In Book XI, who does Odysseus see in the underworld that startles him and makes him grieve?
13. Part of the prophecy heard by Odysseus in the Land of the Dead warns him that they must not
_________on the cattle of Helios and that he must make a ______ to Poseidon when he returns
home.
14. How are Odysseus and his men able to successfully face the Sirens?
15. Scylla is a sea _________ and Charybdis is a ____________.l
DO NOT WRITE ON THE TEST!!!!
TEST A
16. Odysseus feels “deathly pity” run through him as he must watch his men being killed and there is
nothing he can do.
17. The encounter with Scylla and Charybdis is different from the other obstacles faced by Odysseus on
his journey because there is nothing he can do physically or mentally to save them therefore he
does not put up a fight.
18. This encounter with Scylla and Charybdis can be identified as the Abyss because Odysseus cannot
rely on anyone and although his men are with him, he is facing the danger alone because his men
are not aware of the danger.
19. How are Odysseus and his crew punished for eating the cattle of Lord Helios?
20. What is an epithet and why are they used in Homer’s “Odyssey?”
Archetypes:
21. Poseidon is a gatekeeper and a shadow.
22. Circe is a temptress and an ally
23. Odysseus (the character and the personality) is the hero
24. Athena
the sage
25. Eumaeus and Philoetius are the archetypal loyal servants, allies
26. In Book 21, Eumaeus is a trusted father figure to Telemachus.
27. Penelope is considered intelligent because she armed herself long ago against imposters who might
come and claim to be her husband.
28. Odysseus hubris is tested when he has to endure the suitors making fun of him and abusing him while
he is disguised as the beggar so as not to give himself away.
29. Athena does not help Odysseus until near the end of the battle in the great hall because she must let
him prove himself as a true hero first.
30. Telemachus initially accuses Odysseus of being a _______.
31. We can infer that Penelope chooses the test of the bow because she believes it will be a possible or an impossible task
for them to complete?
32. What character trait does Odysseus value most in the people he left behind in Ithaca? Loyalty or obedience
33. The symbolic significance of the scene with Argos is that many people have remained loyal in Ithaca, but also that
Odysseus’ home is in ruins and has been neglected.
34. In Book 17: “Beggar at the Manner,” dramatic irony is revealed in Eumaeus’ conversation with Odysseus when he
says, “A hunter owned him – but the man is dead / in some far place” because we as the audience know that Eumaeus is
talking to Odysseus himself, but he does not know it.
35. Odysseus proves his identity to Eumaeus and Philoetius by revealing a _____ that he received while boar hunting
36. In “Death in the Great Hall,” Odyssey calls the suitors “yellow dogs.” What connotative meaning of the word yellow is
being used in the scene?
DO NOT WRITE ON THE TEST!!!!
TEST A
37. After Odysseus kills Antinous, one of the lead suitors, Eurymachus, presents a speech to Odysseus. What is the main
argument of Eurymachus’ speech? It is that since their leader is dead, they should not be punished.
DO NOT WRITE ON THE TEST
TEST A