Book I Response

Choose one of the following:

1. "Spurn them she dare not, though she hates that marriage" (Line 295, Telemachus to Athena).

a) List all the reasons you can think of why Penelope does not turn the suitors away. It is okay to research this question online.
b) If you were Penelope, what would you do about the suits?

2. "...concerning these contenders in your house - how you should kill them, outright or by guile (Line 341, Athena to Telemachus).

a) List all the reasons Telemachus should kill the suitors.
b) List the problems he could face in trying to kill them.
c) If you were Telemachus, what would you do about the suitors?

Book II Response

Choose one of the following

1. "At this the suitors, while they dressed their meat, began to exchange loud mocking talk about him" (Line 340, Homer speaking about how the suitors regard Telemachus).

a) Why aren't the suitors kinder to and more respectful of Telemachus?
b) Why do you think Athena, the goddess of wisdom and war, predicts and wants their deaths?

2. "...but you should know the suitors are not to blame - it is your own dear, incomparably cunning mother (Line 94, Antinoos to Telemachus).

a) Why does Antinoos blame Penelope for the rude behavior of the suitors?
b) Take on the personality of Antinoos and explain why you are staying at Penelope's house.

3. "Athena was nearby and came to him, putting on Mentor's figure and his tone, the warm voice in a lucid flight of words" (Line 283, spoken by Homer)

a) List the plausible reasons you think Athena, the goddess of wisdom and war, is so active in helping Telemachus.
b) Do you think this much intervention, including charading as Telemachus, is a good thing?
c) Explain why you would or would not like a deity so involved in your life that s/he would impersonate you.

Book III Response

Choose one of the following

1. "You father? Well, I must say I marvel at the sight of you: your manner of speech couldn't be more like his..." (Lines 132-133, Spoken by Nestor)

a) List the attributes of Odysseus that Nestor tells
b) List Nestor's characteristics

2. Hospitality is the single and most encompassing rule of the land and Sea in Odysseus's time. List all the ways that Telemachus is given hospitality in this Book.

3. Paraphrase the advice Nestor gives Telemachus.

4. Retell the story of Agamemnon.

Book IV Response

Choose one of the following

1. Describe the suitors' plan to apprehend Telemachus.

2. Describe what happens when Penelope finds out Telemachus is not on Ithaka.

3. Report what has happened to Helen (and Menelaus) since the Trojan War.

Book V Response

Choose one of the following.

1. Describe Calypso (Kalypso), both physically and psychologically.

2. In what ways (list them all) does Calypso (Kalypso) help Odysseus?

3. Describe in detail what happens when Odysseus leaves Calypso's island?

Books VI-VII Response

Choose one of the following.

1. There is no reference to Odysseus being handsome. As a matter of fact, some sources describe him as very strong but long-torsoed and short-legged. But women throughout The Odyssey, even young Nausicaa, appear attracted more to Odysseus than any other man. List the reasons, including behaviors, personality traits and visual appearance and attitude, that you think make Odysseus so irresistible.

2. List all the incidents of hospitality Odysseus experiences at Scheria, the home of the Phaeacians (which many identify as Lebanon, an island off Egypt or an Egyptian city at the mouth of the Nile River).

3. King Alcinous said, "I would that you, a man so worthy, might agree to be my son-in-law.

a. Why do you think this father considered a total stranger good marriage material?
b. Do you think Odysseus will be tempted to stay and marry Nausicaa?
c. Do you think Alcinous will pressure Odysseus?

4. Odysseus describes his stay on Calypso's island. Describe Odysseus and how he came to the island -- from Calypso's point of view.

Book VIII Response

1. Explain and justify what the land of Phaeacia a metaphor for.

2. Describe Nausicaa using quotes and your own commentary.