The Odyssey Part I Study Guide
Literary Terms:
1. Epic
2. Epic simile
3. Epic hero
4. Legend
5. Myth
Invocation (pg. 963)
1. Define invocation:
2. Who does the narrator summon to assist him in telling the story?
a. List the two purposes for which he does this.
3. What does this small passage tell us about the main character, his journey home, and his fellow
travelers?
New Coasts and Poseidon’s Son (pg. 964)
4. Name the god and goddess who have prevented Odysseus’ return.
5. How long has Odysseus been away from home?
6. Seeing he has been away from home for so long, what does his attitude say about his character?
7. What is Odysseus’ condition when he arrives at Phaeacia?
8. How do the Phaeacians treat him?
9. To whom is Odysseus telling his adventure?
10. How does Odysseus describe himself?
a. Where is he from?
11. Name three qualities Odysseus’ men have when they meet with the Cicone’s army.
a. What happens because of this?
12. What happens to Odysseus’ men who eat the Lotus?
13. How does Odysseus make his men leave?
14. How does Odysseus make his men leave?
14. The land of the Lotus Eaters has been said to symbolize escapism-that is, withdrawal from reality
into a dream world. Do you agree? Why or why not?
15. In the land of the Cyclopes, who and what does Odysseus take on journey to check out Cyclops?
16. Describe the wine.
17. What do Odysseus’ men suggest they take once they reach Cyclops’ cave?
18. Why does Odysseus refuse this suggestion?
19. What kind of welcome does the Cyclops give Odysseus and his men?
20. Hospitality to strangers is a theme that recurs throughout the Odyssey. The ancient Greeks believed
that the gods themselves sometimes came to Earth disguised as human strangers. What does Odysseus
say the customs of welcoming strangers are?
21. Why doesn’t Odysseus kill Cyclops while he is sleeping?
22. Describe the weapon Odysseus make to fight off Cyclops.
23. What does Odysseus hope to achieve by offering Cyclops his wine?
24. Cyclops asks for Odysseus’ name. What name does Odysseus give?
25. Describe how Odysseus utilizes his weapon against Cyclops?
26. Who does Polyphemus (the now blind Cyclops) call for when he screams?
27. How does the name “Nohbdy” save Odysseus’ life?
28. Describe Odysseus’ plan to escape the cave.
29. What is ironic about line 373, where Polyphemus is talking to his largest ram?
30. What survival qualities does Odysseus exhibit in his conflict with Polyphemus?
31. Although Odysseus is a man of great character, he shows a character flaw when leaving the land of
the Cyclopes. What unwise action does he take?
32. Who is Polyphemus’ father?
33. Polyphemus prays to his father, asking him to do what to Odysseus?