The Odyssey
Reading Guide
2015
Introduction to the Greek Gods
In preparation for reading the Odyssey, complete the following Anticipatory Activities:
ACTIVITY #1: Read pages1028-1029 in your literature textbook. Take notes and respond to the questions in your
learning journal. Due Wednesday 4/15.
ACTIVITY #2: Read page1041 in your literature textbook. Take notes in your learning journal.
Due Wednesday 4/15.
ACTIVITY #3: Read page1042 in your literature textbook. Complete the “Writing about the big question” in your
learning journal. Due Wednesday 4/15.
ACTIVITY #4: Go to my teacher page and under the “Handouts” tab you will find a “Greek Mythology
Introduction” PDF. Read through these slides and takes notes or respond to the given prompts throughout the
presentation. Due Wednesday 4/15.
ACTIVITY #5: Research a Greek god and create a poster presentation. See the details for this research below.
Due Friday 4/17.
GREEK GOD RESEARCH POSTER: You will choose a Greek god featured in the Odyssey to research and learn more about. Then you will
present your god with a poster. Greek god choices:

Cronus

Poseidon

Athena

Helios

Zeus

Hermes

Hephaestus

Apollo
You need to research and present the following information:
 Name of the god (Greek and Roman)
 How did this god come into being? What is the “creation” story or parental lineage for this god?
 What was this god in charge of? What do they oversee or are responsible for?
 What symbol(s) represents this god?
 What myths (stories) are told about this god? (i.e. what conflicts have they had with other gods, or what interactions have they had
with humans?)
 Describe the personality of this god. What personality traits are associated with this god?
 Pictures of the information you find (symbols, appearance, stories, etc)
Process:
1. Your research should be limited to the resources provided on my teacher webpage (DO NOT use the internet – there are many
conflicting reports and variations about gods – therefore, we’re going to stick to the resources that I am providing for you. The
ONLY EXCEPTION to this is in finding images – you may use the internet to find images for your poster.)
2. Complete your research and create your poster presentation at home independently. See the rubric to meet the poster
presentation requirements.
Discovery Channel Video Notes: An Introduction to the Odyssey
1. What is an odyssey?
2. What are some important characteristics of Odysseus in the Odyssey?
3. What does Odysseus do at the beginning of his journey that causes his trip home to be so dangerous?
4. How is the theme of justice—that the gods punish wrongdoing—brought out in the Odyssey?
5. What is a myth, and what did the gods and goddesses of Greek mythology represent?
6. What does Penelope represent to Odysseus on his journey? How does she stall potential suitors?
7. Why is Odysseus treated as an outsider upon his arrival home?
8. How does the suitors' treatment of the beggar (Odysseus) seal their fate?
The Heroic Journey – Eight Easy Steps to Becoming a Hero
DIRECTIONS: Carefully read through each phase of the Heroic Journey. Practice analyzing these phases by
thinking about a heroic fictional character (from a comic, book, film, or other) and their journey.
1.
THE CALL – THE SEPARATION
a. Something has been taken: the hero must reclaim it/ someone could be missing their rights
their title, a person/parent, a princess
b. Something is forbidden and there are reason he shouldn’t go on the journey. He must win back the rights
and honor for his community
c. He does have the choice to refuse the journey – game over; He has to be invited by another person to
partake in the adventure and to face the unknown; He will gain physical and spiritual experience; He will
encounter in justice
2.
THE THRESHOLD – This is the line between a normal life and the adventure the hero takes
a. He will have a helper, seer, guide, prophet
b. Talisman –charm (slippers, sword, the force)
3.
THE DESCENT
a. The character is more and more at risk
b. The character faces more challenges
4.
THE INITITATION the TEST and ORDEAL
a. Prepares for greater tasks ahead
b. Challenges him to grow mentally
c. He is tested to see if he is really worthy of being a hero
5.
ABYSS – A cold underworld – point of no return
a. The hero must face the abyss alone
b. If the character is flawed, he will be beaten
c. The hero may retreat from the challenge
d. If he does, he will return home beaten, broken and bitter
e. He may turn to the dark side or become evil/corrupt
f. He may “slay the dragon”
6.
THE TRANSFORMATION
a. He has met the challenge and overcomes his fears
b. I becomes we revelation
c. Epiphany, ah-ha moment, why he’s here
d. Symbolic death/rebirth-finds he had the strength all along; he just had to discover it during the journey-talisman
7.
a.
b.
c.
d.
h.
8.
THE GIFT
He is at one with his new self and new life
Harmony again
Truly a hero
Given a gift based on a new sense of awareness
bigger than himself
THE RETURN
a. Difficult stage
b. Brings gift back to his society
c. Renews community or founds a nation
d. Create religion/order
e. The hero may not return; therefore,
he’s not a hero anymore
e.
f.
g.
Better person, father, king, husband
Stronger, richer, more spiritual
Hero gives his life and devotion something
f.
g.
h.
If he does return he may not stay because it is
difficult for him to stay in one place after the
adventures he has had
He brings his message which may be rejected
Home represents safety, tradition, parents, known
security
PRACTICE: The Heroic Journey – Eight Easy Steps to Becoming a Hero
DIRECTIONS: Think through and write in the chart below how this character moves through the phases. In each
section, put details from their story that demonstrates how this character experiences each phase. (Note: they
may not always be in the same order, or a character may experience a phase more than once.)
Odyssey Literature Circle Reading Guide
DIRECTIONS: With a team of 2 other people. You will read and discuss episodes or segments of the Odyssey.
You are to read your episode and complete the accompanying reading questions. Use the following reading
assignments to guide your reading and work.
Part I
Literature Circle Member #1: ____________________________________
Reading Assignment:
 “Introduction The Adventures of Odysseus” page 1045
 “Sailing From Troy” page 1047-1049
o All Margin Questions pages 1047-1049
o Critical Thinking Questions page 1049, #’s 1-4
 “The Land of the Dead” page 1064-1065
o All Margin Questions pages 1064-1065
o Critical Thinking Questions page 1069, #’s 5, 6, and 7
Literature Circle Member #2: ____________________________________
Reading Assignment:
 “The Cyclops” page 1050-1063
o All margin Questions pages 1050-1063
o Critical Thinking Questions page 1069, #’s 1-4
Literature Circle Member #3: ____________________________________
Reading Assignment:
 “The Sirens, Scylla and Charybdis” pages 1071-1076
o All Margin Questions pages 1071-1076
 “The Cattle of the Sun God” pages 1076-1082
o All Margin Questions pages 1076-1082
o Critical Thinking Questions page 1082, #’s 1-4
Odyssey Literature Circle Reading Guide
DIRECTIONS: With a team of 2 other people. You will read and discuss episodes or segments of the Odyssey.
You are to read your episode and complete the accompanying reading questions. Use the following reading
assignments to guide your reading and work.
Part II
Literature Circle Member #1: ____________________________________
Reading Assignment:
 “The Return of Odysseus ” page 1089-1096
 “Argus” page 1096-1097
o All Margin Questions pages 1089-1097
o Critical Thinking Questions page 1105, #’s 1 and 2
Literature Circle Member #2: ____________________________________
Reading Assignment:
 “The Suitors” page 1097-1100
o All margin Questions pages 1097-1100
 “Penelope” page 1100-1103
o All margin Questions pages 1097-1100
 “The Challenge” page 1103-1105
o All margin Questions pages 1103-1105
o Critical Thinking Questions page 1105, #’s 3 and 4
Literature Circle Member #3: ____________________________________
Reading Assignment:
 “Odysseus’ Revenge” pages 1107-1111
o All Margin Questions pages 1107-1111
 “Penelope’s Test” pages 1111-1114
o All Margin Questions pages 1111-1114
 “The Ending” page 1114
o Critical Thinking Questions page 1082, #’s 1-5
APPLICATION: The Heroic Journey – Eight Easy Steps to Becoming a Hero
DIRECTIONS: As you discuss Odysseus’ journey with your Literature Circle, fill in the Heroic Journey steps with
details from the selections you read. (Note: they may not always be in the same order, or a character may
experience a phase more than once.)