THE ODYSSEY – STUDY QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS FOR COMPREHENSIVE
LITERATURE REVIEW
What is your first impression of Odysseus? Which of his qualities do you admire? - (answers)He is heroic
- hero of the Trojan War. He is loyal and wants to get back to his home.
Describe the events on Ismarus. - (answers)The men plunder the land and, carried away by greed, stay
until the reinforced ranks of the Cicones turn on them and attack. Odysseus and his crew finally escape,
having lost six men per ship.
What lessons can be learned from the defeat of Odysseus and his men on Ismarus. - (answers)Don't be
greedy. Take what you need and leave.
Where is Odysseus' home? - (answers)Ithaca
What significant role does Ithaca play in Odysseus' epic journey. - (answers)The whole journey Odysseus
is trying to get to his home in Ithaca.
How do Calypso and Circe keep Odysseus from reaching home? - (answers)They enchant him
What are Odysseus' feelings when he is with Calypso and Circe? - (answers)He longed to be home.
What happens to the men who eat the lotus? - (answers)They forget about home and don't want to
leave.
What does this episode suggest about the main problem Odysseus has with his men? -
(answers)Odysseus needs to be the leader and he needs to guide them.
What do you think about the way Odysseus responds to the three men that long to stay with the Lotus
Eaters? - (answers)He cared about them and he was doing his job.
, What ways in the world of the Odyssey similar to today's world and in what ways is it different? -
(answers)Similar - war, some evilness; differences - creatures that don't exist in our world
Do you admire Odysseus? Why or why not? - (answers)Yes, because he is determined and heroic
What do you think of Odysseus' plan for escaping from Polyphemus? - (answers)It was a well thought
out plan
Before the meeting with the Cyclops what had Odysseus received from Maron at Ismarus? - (answers)A
goatskin full of wine, seven golden talents, and a solid silver mixing bowl.
What does the Council of Maron reveal about ancient Greek attitudes about hospitality? - (answers)They
treated guests very well.
How do Odysseus and his companions expect to be treated by the Cyclops? - (answers)They expect to be
treated like honored strangers.
What laws of behavior and attitude does Polyphemus violate in his treatment of the Greeks? -
(answers)hospitality
How do Odysseus and his crew ultimately escape from the Cyclops? - (answers)They get him drunk, stab
him in the eye, and when he is blind they hid behind the sheep and take the sheep to their ship.
Which positive and negative character traits does Odysseus demonstrate in his adventures with the
Cyclops? - (answers)Positive - smart: devises a plan of escape; negative - naive, too trusting: expects
Cyclops to treat him like a guest
LITERATURE REVIEW
What is your first impression of Odysseus? Which of his qualities do you admire? - (answers)He is heroic
- hero of the Trojan War. He is loyal and wants to get back to his home.
Describe the events on Ismarus. - (answers)The men plunder the land and, carried away by greed, stay
until the reinforced ranks of the Cicones turn on them and attack. Odysseus and his crew finally escape,
having lost six men per ship.
What lessons can be learned from the defeat of Odysseus and his men on Ismarus. - (answers)Don't be
greedy. Take what you need and leave.
Where is Odysseus' home? - (answers)Ithaca
What significant role does Ithaca play in Odysseus' epic journey. - (answers)The whole journey Odysseus
is trying to get to his home in Ithaca.
How do Calypso and Circe keep Odysseus from reaching home? - (answers)They enchant him
What are Odysseus' feelings when he is with Calypso and Circe? - (answers)He longed to be home.
What happens to the men who eat the lotus? - (answers)They forget about home and don't want to
leave.
What does this episode suggest about the main problem Odysseus has with his men? -
(answers)Odysseus needs to be the leader and he needs to guide them.
What do you think about the way Odysseus responds to the three men that long to stay with the Lotus
Eaters? - (answers)He cared about them and he was doing his job.
, What ways in the world of the Odyssey similar to today's world and in what ways is it different? -
(answers)Similar - war, some evilness; differences - creatures that don't exist in our world
Do you admire Odysseus? Why or why not? - (answers)Yes, because he is determined and heroic
What do you think of Odysseus' plan for escaping from Polyphemus? - (answers)It was a well thought
out plan
Before the meeting with the Cyclops what had Odysseus received from Maron at Ismarus? - (answers)A
goatskin full of wine, seven golden talents, and a solid silver mixing bowl.
What does the Council of Maron reveal about ancient Greek attitudes about hospitality? - (answers)They
treated guests very well.
How do Odysseus and his companions expect to be treated by the Cyclops? - (answers)They expect to be
treated like honored strangers.
What laws of behavior and attitude does Polyphemus violate in his treatment of the Greeks? -
(answers)hospitality
How do Odysseus and his crew ultimately escape from the Cyclops? - (answers)They get him drunk, stab
him in the eye, and when he is blind they hid behind the sheep and take the sheep to their ship.
Which positive and negative character traits does Odysseus demonstrate in his adventures with the
Cyclops? - (answers)Positive - smart: devises a plan of escape; negative - naive, too trusting: expects
Cyclops to treat him like a guest
