Odyssey Test Questions with All
Correct Answers
What does the descriptive phrase about dawn tell you about the dawn? - Answer-it tells
us that it was the start of morning and the sky was pink
What point was Odysseus making by claiming association with Agamemnon? - Answer-
He is laying claim to the Greeks' great victory at Troy. He is showing his masculinity.
Why does Odysseus lie to the Cyclops about his ship? - Answer-Odysseus knows with
certainty that the Cyclops has no problem mistreating his guests, and he wants to
protect his ship.
What epithet is repeated in lines 211-212? - Answer-Young dawn with fingertips of rose
What might Odysseus be planning when he calls himself 'Nohbdy'? - Answer-He is
concealing his idenity, which shows that he is thinking ahead. This shows that he is a
strategist, intelligent, and whitty
In the epic similes from lines 292-297 and 299-303, what 2 things are being compared?
What are effects of this figurative language? - Answer-The first simile is comparing
Odysseus turning the rod in Polyphemus' eye to a ship carpenter turning a drill in the
ship's deck. The second compares the steam coming out of Polyphemus' eye to the
steam given off by a hot axehead that is dipped in cold water.
What do you learn about Polyphemus from the allusion in lines 321-322? - Answer-The
reader learns that Polyphemus is the son of Poseidon.
Notice Odysseus' great mental struggle. Why did he create his plan? - Answer-
Odysseus has to outwit Polyphemus again. He is stuck in a place where it is live or die.
What character traits has Odysseus demonstrated in his dealings with Polyphemus? -
Answer-leadership, bravery, and cunning
When Odysseus revels that he is a 'raider of cities', what trait does he display about
himself? - Answer-pride
What is Polyphemus' curse and how does Odysseus bring this curse upon himself? -
Answer-Curse: May Odysseus never see home again and if he does, let it be the worst
journey possible because Odysseus' pride makes Polyphemus curse him
Odysseus' Strengths - Answer-Loyal, Trustworthy, Fights for All
, Odysseus' Weakness - Answer-Arrogant, Egotistical, Wants all the glory
Considering cultural values that Odysseus reflects, to what extent do the traits in each
column seem fitting for an epic hero? - Answer-His strengths shows what he stands for.
He upholds the culture which he comes from, as well as encompasses traits that are
archetypal and expand to the modern time period. His weaknesses stem from his
strengths. Since he is loyal, trustworthy, and fighting for those he cares about, he allows
himself to become arrogant, egotistical, and in the pursuit of glory.
Reread the epic simile on page 1236, lines 193-198, which describes the men being
caught by Scylla. Explain what two items are being compared. What does the
comparison help to emphasize? - Answer-The two items being compared are the
hooking of a fish by a fisherman and the capturing of Odysseus' trapped men by Scylla.
The fish are powerless against the fisherman, as Odysseus' men are powerless against
Scylla. The comparison emphasizes the size and strength of Scylla, the powerlessness
of the men, and the men's hopelessness.
In discussing Homer's use of epic similes, the critic Eva Brann contends that "similes do
much the same work in Homeric epic as do the gods, who also beautify and magnify
human existence." Think about how the gods interact with humans in The Odyssey. Do
you agree that they "beautify and magnify" human existence? Then consider the epic
similes you have encountered so far; how might they be seen to do the same? -
Answer-I agree that the epic similes "beautify and magnify" human existence. The epic
similes are used to examine what is going on and they have the power to explain the
text and where the story is going. Homer's epic similes flow into his work and help you
to picture the scene as you read.
What is Odysseus' greatest flaw? - Answer-ego/pride
How does his greatest flaw hurt those around him? - Answer-some of his friends lose
their lives and he can not get to his family as soon. He does not listen to them and tries
to meet the Cyclops instead of being careful.
Define an epic hero. Give example. - Answer-a larger than life figure who undertakes
great journeys
-Odysseus
Define an epic plot. Give example. - Answer-contains a long journey that has many
complications
-Odysseus' Journey Home; Iliad
Define an epic setting. Give example. - Answer-a setting that contains foreign and
exotic lands.
-Neverland; Narnia; Calypso's Island
Correct Answers
What does the descriptive phrase about dawn tell you about the dawn? - Answer-it tells
us that it was the start of morning and the sky was pink
What point was Odysseus making by claiming association with Agamemnon? - Answer-
He is laying claim to the Greeks' great victory at Troy. He is showing his masculinity.
Why does Odysseus lie to the Cyclops about his ship? - Answer-Odysseus knows with
certainty that the Cyclops has no problem mistreating his guests, and he wants to
protect his ship.
What epithet is repeated in lines 211-212? - Answer-Young dawn with fingertips of rose
What might Odysseus be planning when he calls himself 'Nohbdy'? - Answer-He is
concealing his idenity, which shows that he is thinking ahead. This shows that he is a
strategist, intelligent, and whitty
In the epic similes from lines 292-297 and 299-303, what 2 things are being compared?
What are effects of this figurative language? - Answer-The first simile is comparing
Odysseus turning the rod in Polyphemus' eye to a ship carpenter turning a drill in the
ship's deck. The second compares the steam coming out of Polyphemus' eye to the
steam given off by a hot axehead that is dipped in cold water.
What do you learn about Polyphemus from the allusion in lines 321-322? - Answer-The
reader learns that Polyphemus is the son of Poseidon.
Notice Odysseus' great mental struggle. Why did he create his plan? - Answer-
Odysseus has to outwit Polyphemus again. He is stuck in a place where it is live or die.
What character traits has Odysseus demonstrated in his dealings with Polyphemus? -
Answer-leadership, bravery, and cunning
When Odysseus revels that he is a 'raider of cities', what trait does he display about
himself? - Answer-pride
What is Polyphemus' curse and how does Odysseus bring this curse upon himself? -
Answer-Curse: May Odysseus never see home again and if he does, let it be the worst
journey possible because Odysseus' pride makes Polyphemus curse him
Odysseus' Strengths - Answer-Loyal, Trustworthy, Fights for All
, Odysseus' Weakness - Answer-Arrogant, Egotistical, Wants all the glory
Considering cultural values that Odysseus reflects, to what extent do the traits in each
column seem fitting for an epic hero? - Answer-His strengths shows what he stands for.
He upholds the culture which he comes from, as well as encompasses traits that are
archetypal and expand to the modern time period. His weaknesses stem from his
strengths. Since he is loyal, trustworthy, and fighting for those he cares about, he allows
himself to become arrogant, egotistical, and in the pursuit of glory.
Reread the epic simile on page 1236, lines 193-198, which describes the men being
caught by Scylla. Explain what two items are being compared. What does the
comparison help to emphasize? - Answer-The two items being compared are the
hooking of a fish by a fisherman and the capturing of Odysseus' trapped men by Scylla.
The fish are powerless against the fisherman, as Odysseus' men are powerless against
Scylla. The comparison emphasizes the size and strength of Scylla, the powerlessness
of the men, and the men's hopelessness.
In discussing Homer's use of epic similes, the critic Eva Brann contends that "similes do
much the same work in Homeric epic as do the gods, who also beautify and magnify
human existence." Think about how the gods interact with humans in The Odyssey. Do
you agree that they "beautify and magnify" human existence? Then consider the epic
similes you have encountered so far; how might they be seen to do the same? -
Answer-I agree that the epic similes "beautify and magnify" human existence. The epic
similes are used to examine what is going on and they have the power to explain the
text and where the story is going. Homer's epic similes flow into his work and help you
to picture the scene as you read.
What is Odysseus' greatest flaw? - Answer-ego/pride
How does his greatest flaw hurt those around him? - Answer-some of his friends lose
their lives and he can not get to his family as soon. He does not listen to them and tries
to meet the Cyclops instead of being careful.
Define an epic hero. Give example. - Answer-a larger than life figure who undertakes
great journeys
-Odysseus
Define an epic plot. Give example. - Answer-contains a long journey that has many
complications
-Odysseus' Journey Home; Iliad
Define an epic setting. Give example. - Answer-a setting that contains foreign and
exotic lands.
-Neverland; Narnia; Calypso's Island
