OF MEN AND MONSTERS:
HOMER’S ODYSSEY
INSTRUCTOR AMY BARR, [email protected]
RECOMMENDED ODYSSEY TRANSLATION: STANLEY LOMBARDO
Homer is the master storyteller of the ancient world. He inspired us with
the saga of Achilles and Hector at the Trojan War in his Iliad but then he continues
his tale in The Odyssey.
One of history’s first and best adventure tales, The Odyssey,
is the account of how sharp-minded Odysseus made his long
voyage home to his faithful family who waited 20 years for his
return. Likewise, we will meet his equally brilliant wife
Penelope and his faithful son Telemachus.
Monsters, swashbuckling adventure, a little divine
enchantment, an epic battle scene, true love–and even a bit of
humor--have made this a favorite for 2800 years.
This workshop will help you to better understand
Odysseus’ motives in the context of his own culture. At the end of this
document I have included some questions for thought which make
great conversations starters, writing prompts, or just helpful aids
to dig a little deeper into your reading.
Visit the class web site during this workshop. You will find
Odyssey games as well as useful web links and a final quiz which you
may either enjoy as a fun way to test your knowledge or you may study and
record your quiz for credit, as you wish:
S ESSION 1
We begin in the middle [optional: read books 1-4 before
the first session. It is ok to read the first 4 books AFTER
the first session]
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Introductions
The story of the Trojan War
The gods in the Odyssey
Telemachus (“distant battle”)
Meet Penelope
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S ESSION 2
Odysseus’ perilous journey [complete books 1-10 before
starting this session]

Odysseus defines himself (a new kind of hero) and tells his own story:
o Calypso
o Nausicaa, the Phaeacians and the Greek Guest/Host code of conduct
o Lotus Eaters
o Island of the Cyclops
o The Wind Bag
o Laestrygonians
S ESSION 3
Odysseus goes home [complete books 11-17 before
starting this session]

Modern science fiction starts
with Homer

Odysseus’ story continued
o Island of Circe
o The Visit to the
Underworld
o Sirens
o Scylla & Charybdis
o Island of the Sun

Odysseus is carried safe and
sound to the shores of home
Ithaka
o Eumaeus the swineherd and the Greek Guest/Host code of conduct as a useful tool to tell
the ‘good guys’ from the ‘bad guys.’
o Father and Son Reunion

A homecoming out of balance is a morality test
S ESSION 4
Odysseus cleans house [finish reading the epic before
starting this session]
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Penelope—the ideal Greek wife
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Eurycleia
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A slaughter of monumental proportions
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Penelope’s test of Odysseus
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All is put to rest at last: Deus ex Machina
©The Lukeion Project www.lukeion.org
Questions for thought & discussion
There is much to think about in each and
every “book” (chapter) of the Odyssey. I
recommend that you read one
chapter per sitting, certainly no more
than two. Come back later to read
more after a break.
These questions are an optional
tool to inspire further discussion
at the dinner table, writing
prompts or just food for thought.
Please don’t work on them while
you read but use them to prompt
your thoughts after each reading
session.
Book 1

What is the attitude of the gods' towards men?

What is the Greek attitude about hospitality?

How would you characterize Telemachus?
What are his strengths? His weaknesses?
How does Athena plan to affect
Telemachus?

What is the suitor's attitude towards Penelope's
reluctance to choose? Are their motives romantic or monetary (do any of the suitors ‘care’
about Penelope or do they only want to take the house of Odysseus for themselves)?
What does one of these guys stand to gain by marrying Penelope?

Why do they think it is their right to demand that she choose? What does this say about
the role of women in this society? Do you think Odysseus feels the same way about
women?

What are the two different interpretations of the omen?

How does Athena help Telemachus prepare for Nestor?

Do a little research: who is Nestor? What is the myth surrounding him and his kingship?

What does Telemachus learn about himself, the meaning of being a son, the treatment of
guests, sacrifices to the gods? These are all things a father teaches a son but Odysseus’
absence has kept Telemachus from learning these lessons earlier.
Book 2
Book 3
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Book 4

How do Menelaus and Helen compare with Nestor as hosts? How do they contrast with
the suitors as guests?

Who is Proteus? Why does Menelaus catch him?

What does Menelaus tell Telemachus about Odysseus' whereabouts? Do you think that
Telemachus’ response is normal or strange?

How long does Odysseus stay on Calypso's island? How do we explain Odysseus’ desire to
return home with his extended stay here?

What will Calypso give Odysseus if he stays with her?

How would you characterize the making of the raft, and the departure of Odysseus? For
how many days does Odysseus swim?

Why does Zeus, despite his liking of Odysseus, allow Poseidon to make this journey such
an ordeal?

Why does Nausicaa go to the river to
wash clothes?

What does Odysseus choose not to
do when he sees Nausicaa? What
does he choose to do instead?

What do you think Odysseus' speech
to Nausicaa tells us about him? If you
read the Iliad, how does Odysseus’
reluctance to appear “heroic” differ
from a Trojan War style hero?

Why does Nausicaa not want to
escort Odysseus to the palace?

What is the difference between how
Odysseus greets Nausicaa and how
he greets Arête?

Why does Odysseus sit in the ashes?
(does this work?)

Why does Odysseus avoid the plain
truth when asked to identify himself?

Is Demodocus' blindness significant for
our story’s author?

What does Alcinous do when he sees how Odysseus reacts?
Book 5
Book 6
Book 7
Book 8
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Book 9

What does Odysseus do to win the respect of the young Phaeacians?

Where do Odysseus and his men go first after they leave Troy?

What dangers do the lotus eaters offer to Odysseus’ mission?

What sin does Polyphemus commit?

What mistake does Odysseus makes as he sails away? Why is this mistake not normal
behavior for Odysseus, but perfectly normal for most of the heroes he knows?
Book 10

What sin do the Laestrygonians commit?

After the attack from the Laestrygonians, how many ships are left out of the original
twelve?

What sort of character is Circe? What craft does she practice that Penelope also practices?
Why (aside from her magic) is she able to turn Odysseus' men into swine? How do they
offend her?

What does Hermes give to Odysseus?

How long does Odysseus stay in Circe's palace? Why does he want to leave?
Book 11

What ritual does Odysseus perform in order to meet people he knows in the Underworld?

What does Tiresias do in order to speak to Odysseus?

What is the reason for Ajax's anger at Odysseus?

What is the Greek Underworld
(realm of the god Hades) like?

Who are Tantalus and
Sisyphus? What are their ironic
punishments?
Book 12

How does Circe help Odysseus?

What does the episode of the
Sirens tell us about Odysseus'
character?

What advice does Odysseus
take about Scylla and
Charybdis? What does this tell
us about leadership?

Why are the cattle of Helios'
island so tempting? What does
it say about Odysseus when he
does not give in, even though his
crew is weak?
©The Lukeion Project www.lukeion.org
Book 13

How do Poseidon and Zeus interact in this book? What is the balance of power between
them? How does Zeus assert his authority? How does Poseidon assert his displeasure?

How does Odysseus first feel as he lands on Ithaca? What does this say about his attitude
about life a this point?

How much does he tell the "shepherd" he meets about his true identity and intentions?

Does he change when he realizes it is Athena? How does she react to his caution?
Book 14

How is the swineherd Eumaeus connected to Odysseus?

Odysseus tells the swineherd he is from what kind of background? Suffered what kind of
hardships? How does Eumaeus react to Odysseus' story?

Who gets the "boar's long loin . . . the cut of honor" in Eumaeus' shelter?

What does Eumaeus’ behavior say about his quality? (compare him to the sources of
sorrow in Odysseus’ journey)
Book 15

How does the beginning of this book compare to the ending of Book 14?

Who gives going away presents to Telemachus? What does this signify?

What is the portent which precedes Telemachus' departure?

How does Odysseus test Eumaeus? [what is he testing exactly]
Book 16

How does Eumaeus greet
Telemachus?

Why does Odysseus reveal his
identity to Telemachus? How does
Odysseus look when he does?

How does Telemachus react when
Odysseus identifies himself?

What are the three major points of
strategy in the plan which Odysseus
tells to Telemachus?
How does Penelope learn of what the
suitors are thinking?
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Book 17

What does Telemachus leave out of
his "true" story when he talks to
Penelope; what does he leave in?
How does Theoclymenus contribute
to the scene?

Where has Argos been lying in the
absence of his master? What is
Odysseus' reaction to seeing Argos?
©The Lukeion Project www.lukeion.org

How does Odysseus handle his "humiliation"? Does he seem more at ease with it than
Eumaeus and Telemachus? If so, why?

Who throws a footstool at Odysseus? Why do even the other suitors take exception to
this?
Book 18

What is Antinous' reaction to the unfriendly words Irus speaks to Odysseus?

Has Telemachus fully reached manhood yet? Why is this important? What is the symbol of
manhood?

What is the implication of the maids' inappropriate behavior (are the good people or bad
people)?
Book 19

What ruse does Odysseus tell Telemachus to carry out at the beginning of the book?

How does Penelope react to what she hears of Odysseus? How does Odysseus react to her
reaction?
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What prediction does Odysseus give to Penelope?

How did Odysseus obtain the scar that Eurycleia recognizes?

How does Penelope plan to test the suitors to see which one she will marry?
Book 20

What does Athena do in this book to boost Odysseus' spirits? To test them?

How is Odysseus insulted by Cteppis? How does Odysseus react? Telemachus?

Why do the suitors behave even more inappropriately than usual?

What is Penelope doing at the end of the book?
Book 21

What must the stringer of the bow do with his shot?

How does Odysseus prove his identity to the cowherd and the swineherd?

What is the purpose of the "biography" of the bow?

Penelope's taking the bow from its hiding place is very hard for her...why?
Book 22

What is Antinous doing when Odysseus shoots him (how ironic)? Why is he the first victim?

How do the other suitors try to make an appeal to Odysseus?

How much does Athena help Odysseus, and how much is the victory his own?

Who tests the strength and courage of Odysseus and Telemachus?

The dead suitors are compared to what kind of creatures? Is this meant to be very tragic
or lighthearted?
Book 23

What future problems does Odysseus see as a result of the killing of the suitors?

What does Odysseus want those outside his palace believe is happening within the palace?

Where does Penelope order Eurycleia to make up the bed? How does Odysseus react to
this?

Who made the bed and what is remarkable about it?
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Book 24

How does Odysseus test his father Laertes, now living a hard life, after the slaughter has
been accomplished? What's the point of testing his father?

How does Odysseus prove to his father who he is?

What does Athena (disguised as Mentor) do to insure that the families will not succeed in
revenging the suitors' deaths? What does she do to ensure that Odysseus won't cause
further havoc?
©The Lukeion Project www.lukeion.org