Homer’s The Odyssey (pages 838-895)
Name ________________________
Date _____________ Hour _______
Directions: Complete this worksheet while reading The Odyssey. This will be due at the
end of the unit. +At the end of the unit, you will be able to answer the following Essential Questions:
a) What are the specific characteristics that make The Odyssey an epic poem?
b) What elements of Odysseus make him a hero?
c) How does The Odyssey provide insight into human nature?
I. LITERARY TERMS
1. Hero:
2. Tragic hero and tragic flaw:
3. Epic and epic hero:
II. CHARACTERISTICS OF AN EPIC POEM (These are typical
characteristics of an epic poem. While reading The Odyssey, look for
these characteristics and identify them with specific examples and
page numbers.)
A) SETTING is expansive
B) Action includes extraordinary/superhuman deeds
C) Gods/supernatural beings take part in the action
D) Purpose is to entertain AND teach/inspire
E) Hero is faced with INTERNAL and EXTERNAL conflicts
III. FIGURATIVE LANGUAGE
Find an example for each figure of speech and analyze the meaning.
Figure of Speech (Quotation with line number) Analysis (What does it mean?)
Simile
Metaphor
Personification
IV. INFERENCE (an educated guess about the implied theme based on plot,
dialogue, characterization and voice)
1. Inference for Part 1 (p839-855)-
2. Inference for Part 2 (p858-869)-
3. Inference for Part 3 (p872-883)-
4. Inference for Part 4 (p886-895)-