THE ODYSSEY STUDY PACKET
9TH GRADE ENGLISH 2015
NAME:
ODYSSEY CALENDAR
Monday, 9/21
Tuesday, 9/22
1. Finish Textbook
Scavenger Hunt (below)
2. Read and Respond:
Book1 (read together)
Book 9 (read together and
answer questions below)
Read and Respond: Books
21 and 22 (complete
reading log below)
Wednesday, 9/23 and
Thursday, 9/24
1. Vocabulary Unit #4 Quiz
2.Epic Hero Essay
*Individual assignment
*Must complete Flee Map
and write essay. Essay due
by end of hour Friday 9/25
Friday, 9/25
Epic Hero Essay
*Must complete Flee Map
and write essay. Essay due
by end of hour.
TEXTBOOK SCAVENGER HUNT
Skim through pages 1088-1103. Follow along with this guide and respond to the questions.
HOMER’S WORLD pages 1088-1089: Examining the Homeric Epics
1. What are three important elements of the plot of the epic poems the Iliad and the Odyssey?
2. What does the heroic story of Odysseus focus on?
PEOPLE AND PLACES OF THE ODYSSEY page 1091
3. Where did the action take place in The Odyssey?
***USE THE CHART ON PAGE 1091 AS YOU READ TO HELP YOU WITH IMPORANT CHARACTERS IN THE ODYSSEY.
THE EPIC: Pages 1094-1098
4. What is an epic?
5. What is an epic hero?
6. What are characteristics of an epic hero?
7. What are characteristics of an epic plot?
8. What are characteristics of an epic setting?
9. Define archetype.
10. What are some common archetypes?
11. What is an epic theme?
Book 9: New Coasts and Poseidon’s Son
1. Epic Hero: Reread lines 24-26. What does Odysseus value most highly?
2. Lines 44-52: How do the Lotus Eaters pose a threat to Odysseus and his men?
3. Lines 58-67: Why doesn’t Odysseus respect the Cyclopes?
4. Lines 91-92: What does Odysseus’ metaphor imply about the Cyclops?
5. Lines 130-132: Why does Odysseus refuse his men’s “sound” request?
6. Allusion: Reread lines 163-169. Agamemnon was the Greek king who led the war against the Tojans. Consider what
Odysseus says about Agamemnon; what point is he making about himself by claiming this association?
7. Lines 178-182: What is the Cyclopes’ attitude toward the gods?
8. Lines 207-210: Why doesn’t Odysseus kill the Cyclops right now?
9. Lines 238-243: What does Odysseus plan to do to the Cyclops?
10. Lines 255-261: Why does Odysseus offer the Cyclops the liquor he brought from the ship?
11. Epic Hero: Say the name Nohbdy out loud and listen to what it sounds like. What might Odysseus be planning?
Consider what this tell s you about his character.
12. Lines 319-322: Odysseus’ lie about his name has paid off. What do the other Cyclops assume to be the source of
Polyphemus’ pain?
Epic Hero: Notice Odysseus’ great mental struggle in lines 330-336. As you read on, note the cleaver plan he managed
to come up with on the spot.
13. Epic Hero: What character traits has Odysseus demonstrated in his dealings with Polyphemus?
14. Lines 421-430: How have the actual events turned out differently from what Polyphemus expected?
15. Epic Hero: Reread lines 437-452. Paraphrase Polyphemus’ curse. How has Odysseus brought this curse upon
himself?
READING LOG: BOOKS 21-22
SUMMARY of the
story. Each summary
must be at least four
sentences in length
to receive full credit.
BOOK 21:
BOOK 22:
ELEMENTS OF AN
EPIC HERO –
explain what the
element is and cite
the line numbers
where you found it
(see page 1094 for
more information).
BOOK 21:
BOOK 22:
EPIC HERO ESSAY
You will write an essay in which you prove that Odysseus is indeed an epic hero. You must address two traits of the epic
hero and examine examples for each trait.
Plan your essay on a FLEE MAP. Modify the map to fit a four paragraph essay.
INTRODUCTION:
 Start with a grabber.
 Give some brief background of The Odyssey (no more than three sentences)
 End the introduction with your thesis statement. Make sure the thesis includes the title/author/genre and a
statement of what you are going to say. Example: In Homer’s epic poem The Odyssey, Odysseus is proven to be
an epic hero because he respects the gods and he is intelligent.  you may not use this as your thesis.
BODY PARAGRAPHS (TWO OF THESE!):
 Start with a topic sentence stating the trait that is the focus of the paragraph.
 Present at least TWO examples (text evidence) for each body paragraph as support. These must be CORRECTLY
CITED quotes from the poem.
 Use the analysis paragraph method. For the explanation of your text evidence, explain how the examples
exemplify the trait you mentioned in your topic sentence.
 Conclude the paragraph/transition into the next one.
CONCLUSION:
 Restate (rephrase) the thesis
 Offer reflection – maybe discuss the relevance or importance of epic heroes in modern culture or give some
insight that readers should have attained through your examination of Odysseus as an epic hero
 End by tying everything together neatly.