The Odyssey
Books Thirteen-Nineteen: Cloze Notes Activity
Book Thirteen: Odysseus Leaves Phaeacia and Reaches Ithaca
(1)_______________ ends his story leaving all the Phaeacians spellbound. Alcinous convinces the counselors
to provide Odysseus with even more gifts for this return home then they all retire for the night. Once rosefingered early (2)_______________ appears, mighty Alcinous orders the ship to be readied for travel then he
sacrifices a bull to (3)_______________, god of the dark cloud and son of Cronus, who rules over everything.
The Phaeacians throw a splendid banquet in Odysseus’ honor and the godlike minstrel (4)_______________
performs but Odysseus, like a field hand longing for his supper at the end of a long day, keeps watching for the
setting of the (5)_______________ that will herald his return home. Prior to his departure, Odysseus speaks
winged words of blessing to his benefactors (6)_______________ and (7)_______________. Once aboard the
ship, a calming sleep falls upon Odysseus. The long-oared Phaeacians bring the sleeping Odysseus and his
many gifts to the shore of sunny Ithaca. Poseidon, seeing this, turns his rage upon his descendants the
(8)_______________ who have given Odysseus safe passage. The mighty Earthshaker devises a suitable
punishment—their vessel, as it returns to Scherie, is turned to stone and a massive (9)_______________ range
springs up to surround the city. This unusual sight reminds Alcinous of the (10)_______________ of his father,
prompting him to decree that his people stop (11)_______________ mortal men. He then orders the sacrifice of
twelve bulls to lord (12)_______________. Meanwhile, Odysseus awakens and does not recognize where he is.
Athena, in the guise of a (13)_______________, attempts to reassure him. The much-enduring Odysseus, still
wary of his surroundings, fabricates of story of his lineage. Bright-eyed Athena reveals herself to Odysseus,
helps him hide his (14)_______________, and then informs him of the turmoil in his household. Athena
disguises Odysseus as a (15)_______________ and advises him to seek out his loyal swineherd,
(16)_______________, before she leaves for (17)_______________ to guide (18)_______________ back
home.
Book Fourteen: Odysseus Meets Eumaeus
Following (1)_______________ instructions, Odysseus, as a beggar, arrives at the hut of (2)_______________,
The Odyssey
Books Thirteen-Nineteen: Cloze Notes Activity
his faithful swineherd. Eumaeus receives the stranger and treats him with the customary hospitality because all
guests and beggars come from (3)_______________. Over dinner, Eumaeus reveals his despair over the ruin of
his master’s estate. The (4)_______________ waste the property in their insolence, sparing nothing. They kill
more animals than necessary and drink excessively. Eumaeus fears that the suitors’ arrogant ways are proof of
Odysseus’ (5)_______________. Odysseus attempts to persuade Eumaeus that his master will
(6)_______________ but the swineherd does not believe him. Odysseus develops an elaborate lie about his
identify and his adventures. He claims to be from (7)_______________ and to have traveled extensively. While
a guest in Thesprotia, he heard reports of Odysseus’ journey home to (8)_______________; Eumaeus still does
not believe the tale. In a final attempt to sway Eumaeus, Odysseus, sacker of (9)_______________, tells the
story of Troy. Odysseus and the other swineherds retire to bed but Eumaeus spends the night watching over his
master’s (10)_______________.
Book Fifteen: Telemachus Returns to Ithaca
In the night, Athena urges Telemachus to return home, pretending that Penelope is prepared to wed
(1)_______________. She discloses the ambush plot of the suitors and advises Telemachus not to go straight to
his home but to stop at (2)_______________ hut first. Telemachus is to tell the loyal swineherd to deliver the
news of his return to (3)_______________. Telemachus informs Menelaus, expert in (4)_______________, of
his plan to return home. Menelaus and Helen prepare lavish gifts for his departure. Fair-haired Menelaus gives
Telemachus a finely crafted (5)_______________ while Helen, goddess among women, gives him a beautifully
embroidered garment to present to his (6)_______________ on their wedding day. As Telemachus and
(7)_______________, Nestor’s noble son, thank Menelaus for his hospitality, an (8)_______________
clutching a huge white goose flies to the right of them. War-loving (9)_______________ ponders the omen but
it is long-robed (10)_______________ who interprets the message of the eagle. Her words—that Odysseus will
return home and take (11)_______________ against the suitors—inspires hope in Telemachus. The two noble
sons depart for (12)_______________. Telemachus beseeches Peisistratus to drop him off at his ship for he
The Odyssey
Books Thirteen-Nineteen: Cloze Notes Activity
fears that (13)_______________ will detain him with his great show of hospitality. Peisistratus agrees; the two
friends part ways. Noble (14)_______________, a prophet, begs Telemachus for safe passage aboard his ship.
He is fleeing Argos because he has (15)_______________ a male relative and is being pursued by his other
relatives who want him dead. Prudent Telemachus agrees and they embark in haste from Pylos. Meanwhile,
Eumaeus talks about Odysseus' parents and his own past, how he, son of the king of Sidon in Syria, was
kidnapped and sold by pirates to (16)_______________. Telemachus lands in rocky Ithaca and tells his men
that he will inspect his estates first but will lay out a banquet in their honor the following day. He then advises
Theoclymenus to seek out (17)_______________, the illustrious son of wise Polybus, because Penelope rarely
comes out of her rooms. As Telemachus speaks, a (18)_______________, Apollo’s swift messenger, flies to his
right clutching a dove in its talons. Theoclymenus interprets the good omen. (19)_______________, a famous
spearman, promises to take care of Theoclymenus. Telemachus makes his way to (20)_______________ hut.
Book Sixteen: Odysseus Reveals Himself to Telemachus
Odysseus informs (1)_______________ that someone is approaching. (2)_______________ comes to the
doorway and Eumaeus, like a loving (3)_______________ welcoming a long absent son, embraces Telemachus.
The three men, Odysseus, Eumaeus, and Telemachus, talk for a while before Eumaeus goes to tell
(4)_______________ of Telemachus’ return. (5)_______________, notices Eumaeus’ departure and
approaches the hut in a womanly form visible only to (6)_______________. He goes outside to meet her.
Athena tells the son of (7)_______________, Odysseus, to reveal himself to Telemachus so they can begin
planning the suitors’ lethal fate. She touches Odysseus with her (8)_______________ restoring his youthful
looks. When Odysseus returns to the hut his dear son is amazed. Fearing he is in the presence of a
(9)_______________, Telemachus adverts his eyes. Noble long-suffering (10)_______________ discloses his
true identity. Then Odysseus questions Telemachus about the (11)_______________. Cunning Odysseus
outlines his plan. Telemachus, when signaled by his father, will remove all the weapons of war from the hall
leaving only a pair of (12)_______________, two (13)_______________, and two ox-hide (14)_____________
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Books Thirteen-Nineteen: Cloze Notes Activity
for father and son to use against the suitors. Meanwhile, (15)_______________ returns in a rage from the
unsuccessful ambush with yet another plan to murder Telemachus, but (16)______________, splendid son of
lord Nisus, dissuades the other suitors stating they must consult the gods first. (17)_______________ upbraids
the suitors for their deceitful ways then retires to her bright room to weep. (18)_______________ returns to his
home. The three men dine to their heart’s content then sleep.
Book Seventeen: Odysseus Goes to the Palace as a Beggar
(1)_______________ returns to the palace. He receives a warm welcome from Eurycleia and the other female
servants of stout-hearted (2)_______________. Wise (3)_______________ emerges from her chamber looking
like (4)_______________ or golden (5)_______________ to welcome her son home. Peiraeus enters the palace
with (6)_______________. He urges Telemachus to send servants to his home to collect the parting
(7)_______________ stored there. Shrewd Telemachus refuses stating he does not trust the suitors and would
prefer Peiraeus keep the gifts than let them fall into the hands of the (8)_______________. Telemachus relates
his adventures to Penelope and Theoclymenus tells her the prophecy of Odysseus' return as they dine.
Meanwhile Odysseus heads towards the city with Eumaeus, patiently suffering the insults being yelled at him
by (9)_______________, his goatherd. Melanthius kicks Odysseus, disguised as a beggar, in the hip then voices
threats against (10)_______________. Long-suffering lord Odysseus contemplates (11)_______________
Melanthius for his shameful and abusive ways. As the two men approach the palace, they are noticed by
(12)_______________, brave Odysseus’ hunting (13)_______________. Neglected, covered in fleas, and lying
in dung, Argus no longer has the strength to greet his master but wags his tail instead. Death finally claims
Argus who can finally rest after seeing the return of (14)_______________. Eumaeus and Odysseus enter the
palace. Odysseus begs among the suitors to determine who still respects the laws of (15)_______________, but
the haughty Antinous strikes him with a (16)_______________. The other suitors are appalled by his actions.
Odysseus the beggar, appears frail but he stood firm, like a rock, against the force of the blow yet none of the
suitors takes notice. Wise (17)_______________ hears of the disgraceful act and sends Eumaeus to bring the
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Books Thirteen-Nineteen: Cloze Notes Activity
beggar before her. Odysseus the beggar accepts but requests that Penelope wait until (18)_______________.
Book Eighteen: Odysseus and Irus the Beggar
The vagrant (1)_______________, a man celebrated for his gluttonous stomach, arrives at the palace. Irus tells
Odysseus to leave voluntarily or fight. Odysseus maintains there is enough room for both beggars but, if
provoked, he will not hesitate to stain Irus’ lips and chest with (2)_______________. The insolent beggar,
(3)_______________, challenges (4)_______________. (5)_______________ observes Irus and the stranger
quarreling and decides to offer a meal as a prize to the victor. Odysseus extracts a promise from the suitors that
no one will (6)_______________ on Irus’ behalf then prepares himself for the fight. The suitors are astonished
to see the powerful physique of the beggar. Goaded by the suitors, Odysseus fells the frightened braggart and
wins a (7)_______________. The suitors honor their agreement with Odysseus the beggar. (8)______________
toasts Odysseus the beggar as an honored guest, wishing him future happiness. Odysseus warns him of the
trouble ahead. Meanwhile, the goddess Athena with the gleaming (9)_______________ puts the idea of
appearing before the suitors into the mind of wise (10)_______________. Athena pours sweet sleep over
(11)_______________ daughter then blesses her with immortal gifts making her face more lovely and changing
her figure to make her (12)_______________ and more (13)_______________ in the sight of men. Penelope,
rendered more beautiful by Athena, enters the hall and scolds (14)_______________ for permitting the beggar
to be mistreated. She laments the absence of Odysseus. The suitors, overwhelmed with sexual desire, give
Penelope (15)_______________ and reiterate their intention to remain until she weds. Odysseus the beggar is
pleased with Penelope’s actions. Fair-cheeked (16)_______________ insults Odysseus so he threatens to tell
Telemachus. Melantho, despite being raised by Penelope, feels no sympathy for her and is having a secret
relationship with the suitor (17)_______________ which makes her brave. After suffering further insults from
Melantho, Odysseus is taunted by Eurymachus, who also hurls a (18)_______________, though he misses. At
the bidding of Telemachus and Amphinomus, the suitors retire for the night.
The Odyssey
Books Thirteen-Nineteen: Cloze Notes Activity
Book Nineteen: Eurycleia Recognizes Odysseus
(1)_______________ orders (2)_______________ to confine the women to their rooms while he and
(3)_______________ the beggar remove the weapons from the hall. (4)_______________ again taunts
Odysseus, but is chided by (5)_______________, who has come to hear the stranger's tale. Wise Penelope,
looking like (6)_______________ or golden (7)_______________, sits with Odysseus the beggar beside the fire
and discusses her longing for her husband, her deception to the suitors with the weaving of the
(8)_______________, and her despair that the scheme failed. When Penelope questions Odysseus, he constructs
yet another lie calling himself (9)_______________, the younger son of Deucalion. Odysseus, a man of many
(10)_______________, tells Penelope that he met and entertained Odysseus and his comrades in
(11)_______________. Penelope takes a moment to cry and mourn her husband then begins to question
Odysseus the beggar to test the truth of his words. He correctly describes her husband’s (12)_______________.
Penelope weeps again. Odysseus the beggar counsels Penelope to cease her crying because
(13)_______________ is close at hand. Penelope bids the nurse (14)_______________ to wash the beggar's
feet. Eurycleia notes the beggar’s (15)_______________ to Odysseus. Eurycleia recognizes a scar, a wound he
received as a boy from a (16)_______________, confirming his true identity. Odysseus seizes the nurse and
swears her to silence. Eurycleia leaves. Penelope and Odysseus the beggar continue their conversation.
Penelope describes a dream she had that predicts Odysseus' slaughter of the suitors, but, she says, this dream
must have come through the (17)_______________ gate of delusion, not the gate of (18)_______________,
whence true dreams come. Penelope fears the day she must leave Odysseus’ house is drawing near thus she
decides to wed the man who performs Odysseus' most amazing feat: to string his (19)_______________ and
fire an arrow through the holes in the blades of twelve (20)_______________ standing in a row. Odysseus the
beggar approves of the contest. Penelope then retires to bed where she weeps for Odysseus, her dear husband,
until bright-eyed Athena cast sweet sleep on her eyelids.