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Literature - Novel
Elementary
THE CHILDREN’S HOMER 
THE ADVENTURES OF ODYSSEUS AND THE TALE OF TROY
COURSE PLAN METHODOLOGY: The Children's Homer: The Adventures of Odysseus and the Tale of Troy by
Padraic Colum is represented by the abbreviation TCH. Each weekly assignment is summarized in the first lines
of the week’s daily course plan. The specific daily assignments are outlined in the following lines indicated by
the MON, TUES, WED and THUR abbreviations. The chapter study questions, chapter vocabulary and glossary
are located in the Elementary Literature Study Question booklets available for purchase from Kolbe Academy.
Answers should be given in complete written or oral sentences. We suggest reading the weekly written
assignment to the student at the beginning of the week. The student should write the assignment down on a note
card (to be used as a bookmark) so that he can think about the assignment as he reads. The written
assignments are suggested to be started on Thursday after the reading is done and completed by the following
Monday. As the teacher, be sure to review the final exam now to ensure all concepts are covered with your
student as he reads the book.
All the Final Exam questions will be taken from the notes listed in these course plans and the Study Questions in
the Elementary Literature Study Question booklet. Starred vocabulary words are more likely to be on the Final
Exam. Week 5 includes a “memory gem.” If the student repeats the phrase a couple of times a day each week,
he will improve his memory skills, increase his repertoire of phraseology, and prepare for one of the parts of the
final exam at the same time. Encourage the student to pay attention as he reads the quotation in the text, so he
understands the context. He can also earn extra credit by knowing this quotation for the final.
Important Parent Note: Part 1, Chapter 19 mentions the dragging of a dead warrior behind a chariot, which
was common practice during that time period. Part 2, Chapter 15 is also a violent one where Odysseus and his
faithful followers kill a large number of men who plague his house. Neither chapter goes into any kind of detail
about these actions, but you may want to read these chapters ahead of time to ensure these chapters are
suitable for your child to read.
The Children's Homer, based on Homer's The Iliad and The Odyssey, tells the amazing story of the Ancient
Greek's battle with Troy and of Odysseus' journey home. One of the most famous stories of all time and the first
great Western World work of literature, these stories depict classical Greek culture, history, and the interaction
between the Greek gods and mortal men. Ultimately, however, the story is about the goodness of virtues (like
faith, love, hope, and bravery) and the consequences of vices (such as pride, vanity, and gluttony).
Major vs Minor Characters: The Children's Homer is an excellent source to teach about major versus minor
characters. At the end of these lesson plans, there is a character matrix that contains the names and
descriptions of the almost 100 characters that are listed in this work. First, explain to your student that, simply
put, a major character is one that the story cannot do without, including the protagonists and the antagonists.
Explain that minor characters are used to enhance a story and to make it more realistic. Have your student take
notes on the major characters in this story. (They have asterisks by them in the course plans.) You may also
give your child a copy of the matrix in these plans as he reads the story, to help him keep track of the
characters.
Copyright Kolbe Academy 2008 All Rights Reserved
The Children’s Homer
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Rev. 1/29/2009
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Kolbe Academy
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
COURSE PLAN 
Literature - Novel
Elementary
Reading about Pagan Gods and Goddesses: Pagan gods and goddesses are both major and minor characters
in The Children's Homer, because it is based on the Classical Greek works that freely incorporated them into the
stories. Teach your student that the truth can never be anything but the truth, and other cultures and religions
have (incomplete) truths in them (See Crossing the Threshold of Hope by John Paul II.) Teach him that while this
story is full of wonderful examples of virtue (which ultimately come from our one, true, loving Father), the gods
of the ancient Greeks and Romans were created by people to explain things that the people could not explain
with the knowledge they had at that time, and people built elaborate stories that incorporated their created
beings. Explain how these entities should be thought of as characters of fiction, though most Classical Greeks
believed in their reality.
Geographical Locations: Google Earth is a free program that can breathe life into the study of geography:
http://earth.google.com/ Refer to a map of Greece and the Mediterranean Sea to give yourself a sense of
place. The following is a list of places listed in the story: Troy; Greece; Crete
TCH
MON
WEEK 1
Read Part 1, Chapter 1 - Part 1, Chapter 9. Have the student look up all the vocabulary words for
Part 1, Chapters 1-9 in the glossary prior to reading. Choose one of the two options:
1. Vocabulary Game: Create your own vocabulary game that you can play with friends and
family.
a. Copy each of your vocabulary words for this week on the plain sides of separate index
cards, and copy each word's definition on the lined sides. You may add words from other
course plan to make the game more challenging and to be able to play with more people.
b. To play, shuffle the cards and put them in a stack with the words facing up in the middle of
the players. Beginning with the youngest player, explain what the word means or use the
word properly in a sentence. The next player flips the card over to check the answer. If
the player has answered correctly, he gets to keep the card. If he can't, he must put the
card into the discard pile. It is the next player's turn. When the Fresh Word Pile is used
up, shuffle the Discard pile and create a new Fresh Word Pile. Play continues until all
words have been won. Each card is worth 10 points. Rounds continue until one player
reaches 500 points.
2. Or, make your own crossword puzzle with your own clues for 10 of the words by hand or by
using Puzzlemaker at the following link:
http://www.puzzlemaker.com/CrissCrossSetupForm.html
Study questions may be completed as the student reads or at the end of the week when reading has
been completed.
Written Assignment: The Greeks of Homer's time period did not have the advantage of Christ's
teachings. Pretend you are a friend of some of the suitors. What could you say to them, from a
Christian perspective, to try to convince them to stop ill treating Odysseus' household? (minimum, 1
paragraph)
Read Part 1, Chapter 1 - 3 and do Study Questions. Chapter 1. Odysseus, along with other Greek
Princes and heroes, is called to war by King Agamemnon. Odysseus does not want to go because
he foresees disaster, so he pretends to be insane. Palamedes tests his sanity and finds that he is sane
after all. Odysseus leaves, the war is won, but 20 years later, Odysseus still has not returned home.
Copyright Kolbe Academy 2008 All Rights Reserved
The Children’s Homer
G2
Rev. 1/29/2009
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TUES
WED
THUR

COURSE PLAN 
Literature - Novel
Elementary
Chapter 2. Telemachus is visited by a stranger, but they cannot even have a reasonable
conversation because of the crowd of men. We learn the men have been coming for three years to
woo Penelope. They refuse to leave and have been eating Odysseus' family out of house and home.
Telemachus wants to be rid of them, so the stranger advises him to journey out to find tidings of his
father. As the stranger leaves, Telemachus watches him transform from a man to a woman and then
to a sea eagle. Chapter 3. After his talk with the stranger, Telemachus begins to hold himself and
speak like a noble young man rather than a child. He does all that the stranger suggested, though
Penelope's suitors are not at all happy about being sent home.
Read Part 1, Chapter 4- 6 and do Study Questions. Chapter 4. At the council meeting, Telemachus
spells out his case. The suitors are too powerful though. They frighten the councilmen from helping
Telemachus and threaten Odysseus himself should he ever return. Chapter 5. Telemachus prays to
Athene and she advises him in the likeness of Mentor. Telemachus goes home and prepares, in
secret, for a journey while Athene goes about making the ship and crew ready. In no time, it seems,
Telemachus climbs aboard his vessel. Chapter 6. As Telemachus travels in his ship toward Pylos,
the minstrel sings of the causes of the war with Troy. At the wedding celebration of Peleus and
Thetis, Eris tossed a golden apple labeled “For the Fairest” in amongst the goddesses who were
attending. Three goddesses argued about for whom the apple was intended. They asked Paris to
choose among them and bribed him with amazing gifts. His choice led to the war between Greece
and Troy.
Read Part 1, Chapter 7- 9 and do Study Questions. Chapter 7. Nestor's home is completely open to
Telemachus and Mentor/Athene. Nestor listens to all Telemachus has to say, but he has no news for
Telemachus. Nestor laments many who have fallen or vanished. He offers his home, his son, and
his chariot to Telemachus. Telemachus and Peisistratus leave in the morning to consult Menelaus in
Sparta. Chapter 8. Telemachus and Peisistratus arrive in Sparta and find the house of Menelaus
feasting because of two weddings. Chapter 9. Menelaus has quite a tale to tell. He explains that,
after the war, his ship was held near Pharos and he could not get home.
Complete the written assignment (see above) in a minimum of 1 paragraph, due Monday.
Notes
TCH
WEEK 2
Part 1, Chapters 10 - Chapter 17. Have the student look up all the vocabulary words for Part 1,
Chapters 10 - Chapter 17 in the glossary prior to reading. Choose one of the two options:
1. Add more Vocabulary Word cards to the game you created.
2. Or make your own crossword puzzle with your own clues for 10 of the words either by hand
or by using Puzzlemaker (see link in Week 1).
Study questions may be completed as the student reads or at the end of the week when reading has
been completed.
Written Assignment: Achilles' pride has been hurt. Agamemnon tries to overcome the hurt by
appealing to Achilles' pride, vanity, and sensuality. Explain why both of these men are in the wrong
in their arguments. (1 paragraph)
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The Children’s Homer
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Rev. 1/29/2009
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MON
TUES
WED
THUR

COURSE PLAN 
Literature - Novel
Elementary
Read Part 1, Chapter 10-11 and do Study Questions. Chapter 10. Telemachus remains a house
guest of Menelaus and Helen for a long time. He wants to hear more about the battle at Troy.
Menelaus explains all about Achilles birth and how Odysseus brought Achilles into the war. Chapter
11. Two women are blamed for creating a schism in the Greek host. Chyseis was taken captive and
kept by Agamemnon. Brieseis of the Fair Cheeks was taken captive and kept by Achilles. When
Agamemnon had to give up his captive maiden, he demanded that Achilles hand over Briseis.
Achilles, though he had been leading the assaults, felt slighted and left with his men.
Read Part 1, Chapter 12-14 and do Study Questions. Chapter 12. Without Achilles, the Greek
armies are losing ground and losing heart. Agamemnon sends envoys bearing promises of
astounding gifts to the hero if he will forgive the trespass and do battle once more. Yet Achilles will
not bend on his resolve: he refuses to fight. Chapter 13. The battle is now heavier than it has ever
been. Agamemnon leads the Greeks and fights until he is wounded. When Agamemnon leaves the
battlefield, the war is all but lost for the Greeks. Chapter 14. The Trojans fight fiercely against the
Greeks, even when Hector is badly wounded. They press onward until they breach the wall the
Greeks had built to protect their ships. The Greeks strive to protect the ships from fire while Achilles
wallows in his pride.
Read Part 1, Chapter 15-17 and do Study Questions. Chapter 15. Patroklos drives back the
Trojans but he breaks his word: he chases the Trojans to the city. Patroklos ends up dying at the
hands of Hector. Achilles is beside himself. He decides to get revenge on Hector even though his
mother warns him that his life will be shortened if he does so. He promises her he will wait for her to
bring him new armor, but Iris tells him Hector is about to drag Patroklos' body. Chapter 16. Thetis
visits Hephaistos and tells him all her troubles. Hephaistos gladly creates wonderful armament for
Achilles and Thetis lays it at Achilles' feet. Chapter 17. Achilles lives up to his reputation as a hero,
fighting and killing like a demon. He even kills Polydoros, but the gods allow neither Achilles nor
Hector to kill each other.
Complete the written assignment (see above) in a minimum of 1 paragraph, due Monday.
Notes
TCH
WEEK 3
Part 1, Chapter 18 - Part 2, Chapter 3. Have the student look up all the vocabulary words for Part
2, Chapter 18 - Part 2, Chapter 3 in the glossary prior to reading. Choose one of the two options:
1. Add more Vocabulary Word cards to the game you created.
2. Or make your own crossword puzzle with your own clues for 10 of the words either by hand
or by using Puzzlemaker (see link in Week 1).
Study questions may be completed as the student reads or at the end of the week when reading has
been completed.
Written Assignment (for girls): Could you allow thousands of men to die because you wanted to be
unfaithful? What would you have done if you were Helen? (1 paragraph)
Written Assignment (for boys): A “just war” has, by definition, a very worthy cause. Was this war
between Troy and the Greeks a “just war?” How would you feel about leaving your family to fight in
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The Children’s Homer
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Rev. 1/29/2009
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MON
TUES
WED
THUR

COURSE PLAN 
Literature - Novel
Elementary
this war? (1 paragraph)
Read Part 1, Chapter 18 - Part 1, Chapter 20 and do Study Questions. Part 1, Chapter 18. Helen
tells her story of the war from where she waited behind the walls of Troy. She told Priam who was
who amongst the Greeks. She spoke of Hector's love and bravery. Part 1, Chapter 19. Though
Priam begged Hector to come into the city walls, Hector chose to fight Achilles. He requested that
the two of them retain their dignities: If one should slay the other, the winner would not drag the
loser's body. Achilles refused. When Achilles won the fight, he abused Hector's body by dragging
it behind his chariot. Part 1, Chapter 20. King Priam bravely asks for and receives his son's body.
Later Achilles is killed by Paris.
Read Part 1, Chapter 21 - Part 1, Chapter 23 and do Study Questions. Part 1, Chapter 21. The
entire city of Troy mourns Hector and on the twelfth day, fighting begins once more. Part 1,
Chapter 22. The Greeks take the city of Troy. Then trouble besets them as they go back to their
homes. Part 1, Chapter 23. Telemachus has heard the tales of how Troy was taken, so Athene tells
him it is time to go home. Telemachus rides with Peisistratus as far as Telmachus' ship. Then
Telemachus gathers his sailors to head for home.
Read Part 2, Chapter 1 - Part 2, Chapter 3 and do Study Questions. Part 2, Chapter 1. Hermes tells
Calypso she must release Odysseus. She is upset, but she helps him build a raft for his journey.
Poseidon is still angry with Odysseus. The sea breaks the raft apart and it is only with the help of
Ino, a sea nymph, that he arrives alive on land. Part 2, Chapter 2. Athene comes to Princess
Nausicaa in a dream and has her plan to wash the clothes of the household the next day. Because
of it, Odysseus is given clothing, food, and a means to bathe himself. She also explains how he can
get help to return to Ithaka. Part 2, Chapter 3. Odysseus enjoys being a guest in Alainous' house.
He feels comfortable and welcome. When the minstrel sings of the Battle of Troy, though, Odysseus
cries.
Complete the written assignment (see above) in a minimum of 1 paragraph, due Monday.
Notes
TCH
MON
WEEK 4
Read Part 2, Chapter 4 - Chapter 9. There is no vocabulary for Part 2, Chapters 4-9. Study
questions may be completed as the student reads or at the end of the week when reading has been
completed.
Written Assignment: What virtues have played a part in the story, and what has been their
outcome. (1 paragraph)
Read Part 2, Chapter 4-5 and do Study Questions. Chapter 4. Odysseus tells the company at
Phaecia the story of his Odyssey. He explains how his ship became lost; how his men became
addicted to the lotus fruit, and how they escaped from the cyclops. Then he shares how he insulted
Poseidon and how all of his terrible troubles began. Chapter 5. Odysseus finds a floating island
where he meets Aeolus, the Lord of the Winds, who gives him a fair west wind and a gift in a bag.
Odysseus and his men soon come in sight of Ithaka, but the curse of the cyclops has been heard and
heeded. The ship is blown back to the floating island, but Aeolus is no longer inclined to help
Odysseus. Odysseus and his men set sail once more and find themselves on an island where Circe,
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The Children’s Homer
G5
Rev. 1/29/2009
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WED
THUR

COURSE PLAN 
Literature - Novel
Elementary
the enchantress, lives. Only Odysseus' bravery and intelligence can save his luckless men from her.
Read Part 2, Chapter 6-7 and do Study Questions. Chapter 6. Circe warns Odysseus about the
troubles that lie ahead. He bravely accepts what must be, and he tells his men only what they need
to know. They travel through the straits with the loss of six men and then, against Odysseus' better
judgment, they stopped for refreshment on the island of Thrinacia. Then Odysseus loses his ship and
his men. Chapter 7. The sympathetic Phaecians take Odysseus aboard one of their own ships and
take him to the shores of Ithaka. Odysseus is so completely exhausted that he sleeps the entire trip
and does not awaken until the Phaecians have sailed away after leaving him on the beach with his
treasures. Athene comes to him to warn him of the state of his household. Then she disguises him
and leaves him to bring Telemachus home.
Read Part 2, Chapter 8-9 and do Study Questions. Chapter 8. Well disguised, Odysseus comes to
the home of Eumaeus. He tests the swineherd's hospitality and wants to see where his loyalties lie.
He finds he can trust Eumaeus. As contrived by Athene, Telemachus arrives at the swineherd's hut
not long after. Chapter 9. Odysseus and Telemachus are reunited at long last, but everything looks
grim in Odysseus' house.
Complete the written assignment (see above) in a minimum of 1 paragraph, due Monday.
Notes
WEEK 5
Memory Gem: “There is neither pain nor shame in the blow that a man may get in battle.”
Read Part 2, Chapter 10 - 17. Have the student look up all the vocabulary words for Part 2, Chapter
10 - 17 in the glossary prior to reading. Choose one of the two options:
1. Add more Vocabulary Word cards to the game you created.
2. Or make your own crossword puzzle with your own clues for 10 of the words either by hand
TCH
or by using Puzzlemaker (see link in Week 1).
Study questions may be completed as the student reads or at the end of the week when reading has
been completed.
Written Assignment: Describe, in your own words, how the Greeks won the city of Troy. (1
paragraph)
Read Part 2, Chapter 10-11 and do Study Questions. Chapter 10. Odysseus finally does what he
has dreamed of for years: he steps into his own house. However, he comes as a beggar and s
abused by the men who are courting Penelope. Penelope opens her home to the beggar and wants
MON to hear any news he might have of Odysseus. Chapter 11. Irus challenges the beggar/Odysseus to
a fight, but Irus loses to the older an. Eurymachus mockingly offers the beggar/Odysseus a job. The
beggar/Odysseus responds by challenging Eurymachus, which angers him. Telemachus smoothes
everything over and the wooers all go home.
Read Part 2, Chapter 12-14 and do Study Questions. Chapter 12. Odysseus has patiently waited to
finally speak with his wife, and now he has his chance. She offers comfort for the beggar then asks
the poor beggar for any news he may have of Odysseus. She tests the veracity of his having seen
TUES
Odysseus. He comforts her, telling her Odysseus is near. The nurse recognizes that the beggar is
really Odysseus, but they keep the secret from Penelope. Chapter 13. The men who have been
plaguing Odysseus' house heed not a single warning. They continue on their merry way, using up
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The Children’s Homer
G6
Rev. 1/29/2009
AMDG
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WED
THUR

COURSE PLAN 
Literature - Novel
Elementary
Odysseus' bounty while putting down the beggars. Odysseus, however, has been gathering
information on who has been faithful to him and who he would rather not have around any more.
Theoclymenus leaves. Chapter 14. The time for the contest has arrived. Penelope lays down her
conditions and everything is made ready. The suitors all try their hand at shooting Odysseus' bow
and all fail. Then Odysseus takes up his bow and shoots with skill and precision.
Read Part 2, Chapter 15-17 and do Study Questions. Chapter 15. Odysseus stands with his son
and his faithful servants, and he rids his hall of the unwanted suitors. Chapter 16. Penelope greets
her returning husband not with open arms but with suspicion. Chapter 17. Odysseus finds and
visits his father who is overjoyed to see him. But the relatives of the slain are not ready to accept
their king back in peace.
Complete the written assignment (see above) in a minimum of 1 paragraph, due Monday.
Notes
WEEK 6
Written assignment: Congratulations! You have finished reading The Children's Homer.
Now you need to write a nice book report on the story. Alternative book report suggestions:
TCH
MON
to
WED
THUR
FRI
1. Create a newspaper with stories that summarize the various adventures of Odysseus as if you
were a reporter. Be sure to make each headline catchy.
2. Make an Odyssey time line complete with pictures of the people, gods, and monsters.
3. Create a realistic map of Ancient Greece and the Mediterranean Sea that shows Odysseus' trip.
Be sure to exaggerate the places where he had amazing adventures, such as drawing a picture
of a cyclops where he met and fought the cyclops.
4. Write a home journal as if you were Penelope. Be sure to include your feelings of being left
alone when your first child is only a month old, raising the child completely on your own, and
having to deal with a hoard of unruly men
5. Write a diary for Telemachus as he is growing up and missing his father yet learning from his
mother.
6. Write a creative story based on one of the adventures in the Odyssey. For example, tell the story
of how Odysseus got his scar or write the story of the sea voyages from one of Odysseus' men's
point of view
Written Assignment. Work on your book report. Review your paper to make sure everything you
have written supports your thesis statement, and the entire paper has a gentle flow from one
supported idea to the next. Check for spelling, grammar, and punctuation errors. Rewrite the paper
neatly if you are writing it in long hand.
Study for the Final Exam. Review all your Study Questions, vocabulary, geographical locations,
and the characters.
Final Exam.
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The Children’s Homer
G7
Rev. 1/29/2009
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Kolbe Academy
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
ASSIGNMENT ANSWER KEY 
Literature - Novel
Elementary
WEEK 1:
Written Assignment: The Greeks of Homer's time period did not have the advantage of Christ's teachings.
Pretend you are a friend of some of the suitors. What could you say to them, from a Christian perspective, to try
to convince them to stop ill treating Odysseus' household? (minimum, 1 paragraph) The student should
mention such teachings as “love your neighbor as yourself,” “you should not steal,” “you should not covet your
neighbor's wife or goods,” etc.
WEEK 2:
Written Assignment: Achilles' pride has been hurt. Agamemnon tries to overcome the hurt by appealing to
Achilles' pride, vanity, and sensuality. Explain why both of these men are in the wrong in their arguments. (1
paragraph) They are both wrong in that they are arguing over stolen women. Achilles is wrong to be so
prideful. Agamemnon is wrong to not appreciate and respect Achilles.
WEEK 3:
Written Assignment (for girls): Could you allow thousands of men to die because you wanted to be unfaithful?
What would you have done if you were Helen? (1 paragraph) Answers will vary.
Written Assignment (for boys): A “just war” has, by definition, a very worthy cause. Was this war between
Troy and the Greeks a “just war?” How would you feel about leaving your family to fight in this war? (1
paragraph) Answers will vary.
WEEK 4:
Written Assignment: What virtues have played a part in the story, and what has been their outcome. (1
paragraph) Faithfulness ultimately won the gods' favor for Odysseus and ensured a happy married life for him
and Penelope. Love of neighbor helped Odysseus make it home alive. Bravery and right use of cunning helped
Odysseus win the Trojan war when Achilles had been killed; it helped him free his men from Apollo's and
Circe's entrapments, and it helped him free his household from parasitic men.
WEEK 5:
Written Assignment: Describe, in your own words, how the Greeks won the city of Troy. (1 paragraph) The
Greeks won the City of Troy because of the Trojan horse, a gift devised by Odysseus to get a group of Greek
fighters into the city to allow in the Greek host.
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The Children’s Homer
G8
Rev. 1/29/2009
AMDG
Kolbe Academy
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
Literature - Novel
Elementary
FINAL EXAM 
GRADE _______/103
Part I. Study Questions. Answer each question in complete sentences. (3 points each) ______/45
1. Which goddess visited Telemachus?
2. How has Penelope kept her suitors at bay all this time?
3. Which three goddesses fought for the apple?
4. How did Paris' choice cause the Trojan War?
5. How did Odysseus find Achilles?
6. Why did the Skamandros River “rise up in anger” against Achilles?
7. Where did Paris strike Achilles?
8. What does Odysseus call himself when the cyclops asks his name?
9. What “treasures” did Aeolus give Odysseus that Odysseus' men tried to steal?
10. What did Circe turn Odysseus' men into?
11. How does Athene disguise Odysseus?
12. How did Antinous treat the beggar/Odysseus?
13. How had Odysseus gotten his scar?
14. What test had Penelope devised to choose a suitor?
15. How does Penelope prove with finality that the man before her really is Odysseus?
Part II. Vocabulary. Use each of the following words in a sentence. (2 points each) ______/10
demigods, disconsolate, odyssey, transgressions, vengeance
Part III. Names. Give a short description of each character and note whether the character is a man, woman,
god or goddess. (2 points each) _____/18
Name
Classification
Description
Achilles
Aphrodite
Athene
Eris
Odysseus
Penelope
Priam
Thetis
Zeus
Part IV. Essay. Explain why it took 20 years for Odysseus to return home when he left for war. (30 points)
Part V. Extra Credit. Write down the Memory Gem you have memorized. (3 points)
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The Children’s Homer
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Rev. 1/29/2009
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Kolbe Academy
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
FINAL EXAM ANSWER KEY 
Literature - Novel
Elementary
Part I. Study Questions. Answer each question in complete sentences. (3 points each)
1. Which goddess visited Telemachus? Athene
2. How has Penelope kept her suitors at bay all this time? She promised to pick a suitor when she finished
making Laertes' burial shroud, but she undoes all her daily work at night
3. Which three goddesses fought for the apple? Aphrodite, Athene, and Hera
4. How did Paris' choice cause the Trojan War? The most beautiful woman in the world, Helen, was
married to the Greek king, Menelaus. She fell in love with Paris who took her to Troy. Menelaus wants
his wife back. The Trojans would not give her up.
5. How did Odysseus find Achilles? He came dressed as a peddler to the girls and hid a sword amongst
the mirrors and other girly things. Achilles picked up the sword.
6. Why did the Skamandros River “rise up in anger” against Achilles? Because Achilles killed so many
men who fell into the river.
7. Where did Paris strike Achilles? In the heel
8. What does Odysseus call himself when the cyclops asks his name? No man
9. What “treasures” did Aeolus give Odysseus that Odysseus' men tried to steal? The North, South, and
East winds
10. What did Circe turn Odysseus' men into? Swine
11. How does Athene disguise Odysseus? As a beggar
12. How did Antinous treat the beggar/Odysseus? He verbally abused him, refused to give him anything
and he hit the beggar/ Odysseus with a footstool
13. How had Odysseus gotten his scar? A boar's tusk ripped open his foot
14. What test had Penelope devised to choose a suitor? The one who could draw Odysseus' bow and shoot
an arrow through the holes in the backs of twelve lined up axes would be her choice.
15. How does Penelope prove with finality that the man before her really is Odysseus? She tricks him into
telling her how their bed was made
Part II. Vocabulary. Use each of the following words in a sentence. (2 points each)
Each sentence should show the student understands the meaning of the word.
demigods: 1 : a mythological being with more power than a mortal but less than a god 2 : a person so
outstanding as to seem to approach the divine <the demigods of jazz>
disconsolate: 1 : cheerless <a clutch of disconsolate houses — D. H. Lawrence> 2 : dejected, downcast <the
team returned disconsolate from three losses>
odyssey: 1 : a long wandering or voyage usually marked by many changes of fortune 2 : an intellectual or
spiritual wandering or quest
transgressions: an act, process, or instance of transgressing: as a: infringement or violation of a law,
command, or duty b: the spread of the sea over land areas and the consequent unconformable deposit
of sediments on older rocks
vengeance: punishment inflicted in retaliation for an injury or offense
Copyright Kolbe Academy 2008 All Rights Reserved
The Children’s Homer
G
Rev. 1/29/2009
AMDG
Kolbe Academy
Home School

FINAL EXAM ANSWER KEY 
Literature - Novel
Elementary
Part III. Names. Give a short description of each character and note whether the character is a man, woman,
god or goddess. (2 points each)
Name
Classification
Description
Achilles
Man
Leader of the Greek fleet
Aphrodite
Goddess
Goddess of Love; helped start the Trojan War
Athene
Goddess
goddess of war; aids Odysseus; goddess of wisdom; represented by an
owl
Eris
Goddess
Goddess of discord; helped start the Trojan War
Odysseus
Man
King of Ithaka, Greatest of the Greek Kings; husband to Penelope; father
of Telemachus; very brave; very wise; very faithful; Leader of the Greek
fleet
Penelope
Woman
Odysseus' wife; Telemachus' mother; very wise; very faithful; Puts suitors
off for years as she awaits Odysseus
Priam
Man
King of Troy
Thetis
Goddess
river nymph; Peleus' wife; Achilles' mother
Zeus
God
king of the gods; represented by an eagle; gave Peleus armor and 2
immortal horses as a wedding gift
Part IV. Essay. Explain why it took 20 years for Odysseus to return home when he left for war. (30 points)
The war dragged on because of the dispute between Agamemnon and Achilles; Odysseus men did not listen to
his advice and got them all in trouble; they angered the gods.
Part V. Extra Credit. Write down up to three of the Memory Gems that you have memorized. (3 points)
Please consult the Memory Gems in the lesson plans for correct answers.
Copyright Kolbe Academy 2008 All Rights Reserved
The Children’s Homer
G
Rev. 1/29/2009
AMDG
Kolbe Academy
Home School

CHARACTER MATRIX 
Literature - Novel
Elementary
* Denotes a major character.
Name
Classification
Description
Achilles*
Hero
Leader of the Greek fleet
Aegisthus
Man
Agamemnon's assassin; hired by Agamemnon's wife
Aegyptus
Man
Eldest Chief of Ithaka
Aeolus*
God
lord of the winds
Aerte
Woman
Queen of Phaecia
Agamemnon*
Man
The Great Greek King; Leader of the Greek fleet in the Trojan War
Aias
Man
Leader of the Greek fleet; Huge Warrior; killed by a falling rock for
boasting that Poseidon could no longer affect him
Andromache
Woman
Hector's wife
Antenor
Man
advisor to King Priam
Antilochus
Man
Nestor's son;
Antinous*
Man
Penelope's suitor
Aphrodite*
Goddess
Goddess of Love; helped start the Trojan War
Apollo*
God
Silver-bowed god of the sun whose arrows cased the plague
Argos
dog
Odysseus' old dog
Astyanax
Man
King of the city; Hector's son
Athene*
Goddess
goddess of war; aids Odysseus; goddess of wisdom; represented by an
owl
Briseis of the fair
Cheeks
Woman
Achilles maiden captive
Calypso*
Goddess
nymph; holds Odysseus prisoner; loves Odysseus
Charybdis
monster
monster who sucks down water near large rocks and spits it back out
Cheiron
centaur
Wisest centaur; gave Peleus his great spear
Chryseis
Woman
A captive maiden of Agamemnon whose father was one of Apollo's
priests
Chrysothemis
Woman
Agamemnon's daughter
Circe*
Goddess
an enchantress
Ctesyppus
Man
rudest, roughest suitor
Ctimene
Woman
Laertes' youngest daughter
Demodocus
Man
the blind minstrel
Diomedes
Man
Leader of the Greek fleet; a great horseman
Copyright Kolbe Academy 2008 All Rights Reserved
The Children’s Homer
G
Rev. 1/29/2009
AMDG
Kolbe Academy
Home School

CHARACTER MATRIX 
Literature - Novel
Elementary
Eris*
Goddess
Goddess of discord; helped start the Trojan War
Erothee
Goddess
The Ancient One of the Sea's daughter
Eteoneus
Man
Menelaus' son
Eumaeus*
Man
Swineherd
Eurybates
Man
one of Odysseus'men
Eurycleia*
Woman
Telemachus' very old nurse
Eurylochus
Man
one of Odysseus' men; led the others to Circe's house
Eurymachus
Man
suitor who challenges Irus to a fight
Eurynomaus
Man
Aegyptus' son; Penelope's suitor
Euyalus
Man
a rude Phaecian youth
Halitherses
Man
Prophet
Hector*
Man
Priam's son; Chief Captain of Troy
Hekabe
Woman
Priam's wife; Hector's mother
Helen*
Woman
Wife of Menelaus, reason for the Trojan War
Hephaistos*
God
the gods' blacksmith; lame
Hera*
Goddess
Zeus' wife; helped start the Trojan War
Hermes*
God
Messenger
Icarious
Man
Penelope's father
Idomeneus
Hero
a Greek warrior from Crete
Ino
Goddess
sea nymph
Iphianassa
Woman
Agamemnon's daughter
Iphistus
Hero
hero who gave Odysseus his bow
Iris
God
a messenger of the gods
Irus
Man
Beggar
Jason
Hero
a hero whom Hera loved
Kalchas
Man
a soothsayer
Laertes*
Man
Odysseus' father
Laodamas
Man
Prince of Phaecia
Laodine
Woman
Agamemnon's daughter
Leocritus
Man
Penelope's suitor; Openly mocks Telemachus and Odysseus in council
Lycomedes
Man
King; hid Achilles amongst his daughters
Copyright Kolbe Academy 2008 All Rights Reserved
The Children’s Homer
G
Rev. 1/29/2009
AMDG
Kolbe Academy
Home School

CHARACTER MATRIX 
Literature - Novel
Elementary
Machaon
Man
skilled Greek healer
Megapenthes
Man
Menelaus' son
Melanthius
Man
Goatherd
Melantho
Woman
Penelope's handmaiden
Menelaus*
Man
royal looking; Helen's husband
Mentor*
Man
a councilman; likeness is used by Athene; supports Telemachus in the
face of ridicule and threats
Myrmidons
men
Peleus' warriors who had never been defeated in battle
Nausicaa
Woman
the Phaeacian king, Alcinous's, daughter
Neleus
Man
builder of pylos; Nestor's father
Noiman
Man
owner of a swift ship
Odysseus*
Hero
King of Ithaka, Greatest of the Greek Kings; husband to Penelope; father
of Telemachus; very brave; very wise; very faithful; Leader of the Greek
fleet
Palamedes
Man
Messenger; Tells Odysseus he must go to war
Paris*
Man
Priam's son; helps initiate the Trojan war by stealing Helen; kills Achilles
Patroklos*
Man
warrior in the war with Troy; Looks up to Achilles
Peisistratus
Man
Nestor's son; Brought Telemachus and Athene/Mentor to Nestor
Peleus*
Hero
King of Phthia; Achilles' father
Penelope*
Woman
Odysseus' wife; Telemachus' mother; very wise; very faithful; Puts suitors
off for years as she awaits Odysseus
Phemius
Man
Minstrel
Philoctetes
Man
a great Greek bowsman
Philoetius
Man
Cattleherd
Phoenix
Man
Achilles' foster father
Polycaste
Woman
Nestor's youngest daughter
Polydamna
Man
King of Theon of Egypt's wife
Polydoros
Man
Hector's brother; Priam's youngest son
Polyphemus
cyclops
Cyclops
Poseidon*
God
God of the Sea; His anger at Odysseus causes Odysseus' prolonged
journey
Priam*
Man
King of Troy
Proteus
God
The Ancient One of the Sea
Copyright Kolbe Academy 2008 All Rights Reserved
The Children’s Homer
G
Rev. 1/29/2009
AMDG
Kolbe Academy
Home School

CHARACTER MATRIX 
Literature - Novel
Elementary
Sarpedon
Man
first Trojan to die in Patroklos' onslaught
Scylla
monster
monster with 6 heads that grabs men from their ships as they pass
Telemachus*
Man
Odysseus' & Penelope's son; brave; Is emboldened by Athene; Searches
for news of his father
Theoclymenus
Man
a soothsayer
Thetis*
Goddess
river nymph; Peleus' wife; Achilles' mother
Xanthos & Balios
immortal horses
gifts from Zeus to Peleus and Thetis
Zeus*
God
king of the gods; represented by an eagle; gave Peleus armor and 2
immortal horses as a wedding gift
Copyright Kolbe Academy 2008 All Rights Reserved
The Children’s Homer
G
Rev. 1/29/2009