The Odyssey

ponderous

slow and clumsy because of great weight

Lines 465-484: Which details reveal the religious beliefs of the ancient Greeks? What does the phrase "share and share alike" reveal about the relationship between Odysseus and his men?

"...Zeus disdained my offering; destruction for my ships he had in store and death for those who sailed them, my companions." (line 471-473) The phrase "share and share alike" reveals that Odysseus and his men have a pretty fair relationship.

Lines 36-54: What does Elpenor's request suggest about the Greek view of the dead?

"...but fire my corpse, and all the gear I had, and build a cairn for me above the breakers..." (line 50-51) Elpenor wants Odysseus to hold a funeral for him, suggesting that the greeks respected the dead.

Lines 35-70: Evaluate each of the three options that Circe describes for getting past Scylla and Charybdis. Are they all equal? Why or why not? What course will Odysseus most likely choose? Why? What dangers of the sea are represented by Scylla and Charybdis?

1) avoid or go through the Chasing Rocks (the voyagers avoided the Chasing Rocks) 2) Pass through Scylla and sacrifice 6 men 3) Pass through Charybdis and hope that the creature won't eat them while doing so Yes the options are equal because either way they face dangers and sacrifices. Odysseus chose to pass through Scylla and lost 6 men to the creature, because he did not want to risk the entire ship from getting destroyed by Charybdis and her deadly whirlpool. They represent that men will die on the sea/how dangerous the seas really is. "Better to mourn six men than lose them all, and the ship too." (line 69-70)

Lines 76-85: Summarize Circe's advice to Odysseus here. Based on Odysseus' actions in other episodes, will he follow her advice? Why or why Not?

Circe told Odysseus "no power can fight her" (line 81) because for every gullet she losses that's how many men she takes. Odysseus will not follow her advice because when he had the choice to avoid the cyclops he didn't and when he had the chance not to listen to the sirens he listened to them

Lines 390-405: As the narrator of the story, why would Odysseus include his taunting of the Cyclops and the consequence? How does Odysseus view his own actions?

He is an honest story teller, showing that he is not ashamed that he was courageous and daring, but in some ways that being too cocky could be dangerous. Odysseus views his own actions as noble, daring, and courageous.

Lines 93-111: Why does Odysseus take the wine as well as his twelve best fighting men? What conclusion can you draw about whether or not this expedition is a good idea? Cite details that support your conclusion.

He took this wine with him because, if anything goes wrong, he could use it as a bargain tool, or he could just use for hospitality. I can see that this expedition possible be dangerous, by the fact that Odysseus had to take his twelve best fighting men - 95

Lines 86-92: What is foreshadowed by the description of the Cyclops?

Maybe when in the book it says that the Cyclops "knows none but savage ways" that he is going to do something savage in the future, or that it talks about that seemed "a shaggy mountain reared in solitude" or that he is in fact living in a cave within a mountain.

Lines 437-446: What theme is conveyed by Odysseus' behavior in this part of the poem?

The theme is portrayed when he taunts the cyclops to show that his large ego would lead to downfall or an unhappy ending and brain over brawn.

Lines 1-23: Which details describe what Odysseus experiences as he waits by the pit? What mood is evoked by these details?

Odysseus "...grew sick with fear..." due to all of the grief and horror of the scene that is portrayed before his eyes as he awaits by the pit. The mood that this portrays is kind of hunting, scary, unnerving, disgusting.

Lines 160-172: Evaluate Odysseus' actions in this passage. Is his decision not to inform his men of Scylla's danger justified? Explain. What is revealed by Odysseus' statement that "Circe's/ bidding against arms had slipped" his Mind?

Odysseus decision to not inform his men of Scylla's danger is justified, because he knows that they could do nothing about it, and they would have become terrified and not have moved on. He kept his men in the dark so that they would have a chance to make it out alive. The statement that "Circe's/ bidding against arms had slipped" his mind revealed that Odysseus was ready to fight Scylla, and that was his first instinct. "I tied on my cuirass and took up two heavy spears" (lines 166-167)

Synopsis: Why must Odysseus go to the land of the dead? What does his willingness to do this show about his character?

Odysseus has to go to the land of the dead in order in order to get his men out of the evil witches trance. This shows that Odysseus cares a lot about his men. "... they must first go to the land of the dead and hear a prophecy from the ghost of Tiresias."

Synopsis: How is the Cyclops's curse already being fulfilled?

Odysseus is now down to one ship along with most of his men dead. "Only Odysseus, his ship, and its crew of 45 survive the shower of boulders."

Lines 117-131: How, once again, does Odysseus reveal his character through his decisions and actions?

Odysseus is very curious and would rather go the hard way than the easy way. "... the two Sirens, noting our fast ship off their point, made ready, and they sang..." (line 121-122)

Lines 187-203: Why doesn't Odysseus fight Scylla even though he is armed? What human emotions does Odysseus reveal in this passage?

Odysseus knows he would also die and that he could not beat her. He feels terrible when his men are being devoured while calling his name and he can't help. "Voices came down on me in anguish, calling my name for the last time." (lines 191-192)

Lines 185-190: Why does Odysseus lie to the Cyclops about the ship? What traits does Odysseus show in this exchange with the Cyclops?

Odysseus lies to the Cyclops because he wants to trick the cyclops into believing that they their ship is already wrecked because they Cyclops's father is Poseidon, meaning that he can destroy the ship. In this exchange Odysseus shows that he is clever.

Lines 198-210: Why does Odysseus refrain from killing the giant? What does this mean for the resolution of the conflict?

Odysseus refrains from killing the Cyclops because if he does he will not be able to leave due to the fact that the door is to large for him and his men to lift. The resolution of this conflict will have to include the Cyclops moving the door.

Lines 134-148: Which details describe the men's reaction to the uproar of the sea? In what way does Odysseus show himself to be an able leader?

Odysseus tried to keep all of his men sane/from being too frightened from all of the chaos and dangers that surround them "it terrified them" (line 137), telling them that they have faced dangers like these before. This shows that he cares about his men and is trying to help them stay calm.

Lines 311-322: Explain how Odysseus and the Cyclops show their differences in these lines.

Odysseus uses his brain/wit and the cyclops uses his strength.

Lines 71-75: Why do you think Odysseus wants to visit the land of the Cyclopes? What does this action reveal about his character?

Odysseus wants to go to visit the land of the Cyclopes to find out more about their behavior, this shows that Odysseus is a very curious man, and along with this, he wants to take his own boat meaning he only likes to follow his own path.

Synopsis: How might Odysseus' conversation with his mother affect his desire to return home?

Odysseus' conversation with his mother must make him feel very rushed to get home to make sure the rest of his family is safe. "Odysseus' mother explains that she died from a broken heart."

Lines 272-275: What does the sound of the name that Odysseus tells to the Cyclops suggest about what Odysseus might be planning?

Odysseus' name sounds like nobody. He means that the cyclops will be attacked/tricked by nobody, helping him to escape.

Lines 19-38: Why does Polites feel that Circe poses no threat? What makes Eurylochus fear "a snare"?

Polites feels that Circe poses no threat because she has a sweet singing voice, meaning that she is innocent/of no harm. Eurylochus fears a "snare" because he thinks that it is a trap, "All but Eurylochus -- who feared a snare -- the innocents went after her." (line 25-26)

Lines 420-436: Why is Polyphemus surprised by the fulfillment of the prophecy? What does the Cyclops's characterization of Odysseus as "small, pitiful, and twiggy" suggest about the value of "brawn versus brain" in a conflict?

Polyphemus is surprised the prophecy is fulfilled because he thought Odysseus would be a tall big giant with huge army in order to beat the giant. This shows brawn vs brain and how brain always wins.

Lines 140-153: What impression does this description provide of the Cyclops and his cave? What potential conflict is foreshadowed by these details?

That the cyclops is huge and tears apart his food viciously, and that his cave is scattered with bones, showing that the Cyclops is savage and vicious. The conflict foreshadowed is that it is going to be difficult to defeat the cyclops.

Lines 172-187: Which aspect of Charybdis frightens the men more? How does the poet's language convey this fearfulness?

The aspect that the men are frightened the most of from Charybdis is the sound the men heard from it. The poet's language conveys this fearfulness due to the fact that the poet is very descriptive while at the same time he uses angry and scary words. "... all the sea was a cauldron seething over intense fire, when the mixture suddenly heaves and rises." (lines 177-179)

Lines 176-184: Describe the Cyclops's attitude toward his guests. What does this attitude suggest about the possible conflict between the Cyclops and Odysseus?

The cyclops' attitude is that he finds the idea of them defeating him s funny and that he's very cocky. This suggest that the cyclops is confident that he believes that they cannot defeat him.

Lines 295-303: What epic simile in these lines describes how the Cyclops's eye is affected? How does this simile impact the audience's ability to visualize the action?

The epic simile is the eye popping and broiling which is like when someone puts a hot, newly beaten axe in cold water. That simile was disgusting and helps the audience visualize the gore.

Lines 238-275: Explain the good luck that Odysseus has. How does he take advantage of the good luck? What does this reveal about him?

The good luck Odysseus has is that the cyclops falls for his trick and gets drunk.

Lines 276-277: Explain the irony of the gift the Cyclops says he will give to Odysseus.

The irony of the gift is that the gift is the gift of the God and Odysseus is not a god.

Lines 358-373: How does the poet create suspense in this part of the poem?

The poet creates suspense by the cyclops is talking to the sheep about how he will kill Odysseus, when in fact he's actually talking to Odysseus. This also allows the audience to wait for the Cyclopes to see if he finds out about Odysseus.

Lines 77-117: Explain whether or not this prophecy will come true. Why or why not? Which parts of the prophecy depend on the actions of Odysseus and his men? What does the prophecy's structure reveal about the Greek view of fate?

The prophecy most likely won't come true because some decisions rely only on Odysseus, if he gets some things wrong it won't happen. Odysseus angered the prophecy because he ate cattle belonging to Helios. This prophecy reveals that the greeks believed everyone has a journey, but also free will. "But if you raid the beeves (another word for cattle), I see destruction for ship and crew." (line 91-91)

Lines 1-25: Describe the threat posed by the Sirens. Predict whether Odysseus will choose to hear the song. Why or why not? Why might Circe not want to advise Odysseus which route to take next?

The sirens pose a threat because they daze, eat, and take the loot of the men that cross their path. Yes because Odysseus an epic hero and he may want to see what the sirens look like. Circe may want Odysseus to figure it out himself/choose his own path. "I shall not plan the whole action for you now, but only tell you of both." (23-25)

Lines 322-346: Explain how Odysseus' plan to escape the Cyclops is similar to his plan to win the Trojan War.

They tie themselves underneath rams, so when the cyclops lets out the rams to graze, he will be setting the men free. The rams disguise the crew allowing them to escape, like how in the Trojan war, they use the wooden horse to disguise the Greeks hiding inside to get in.

Lines 191-197: How does the epic simile in lines 194-197 intensify the impression of the strength of the Cyclops and the helplessness of Odysseus and his men?

This epic simile intensifies the impression of the strengths of the cyclops by showing him gruesomely devour his food in an animalistic way

Lines 1-11: Explain what is being compared in these lines? What ideas about the character of Circe and future plot events are suggested by this simile?

What is being compared is the mountain lions and the wolves collectively compared to hounds. What is being portrayed by this comparison is a foreshadow that something bad is going to happen. We can see that this is being compared when in the text it states "Humbly those wolves and lions with mighty paws fawned on our - who met their yellow eyes and feared them" (line 9-11)

Lines 101-107: Does Odysseus have the power to control his fate? Explain.

Yes, not everything is set in stone, the greeks believed that people may have a destiny, but their choices in life can affect whether or not they will fulfill their destiny. "... keep your thoughts intent upon your course for home, and hard seafaring bring you to Ithaca. But if you raid the beeves, I see destruction for ship and crew." (line 101-105)

Lines 125-132: What do you learn from the dialogue between Odysseus and his crew? What is foreshadowed by the line "no pretty sight, it turned out for my friends"?

You learn that his crew wants to leave and take the food, but Odysseus wants to stay and face the cyclops. It's foreshadowed that Odysseus saw that the cyclops ate some of his men.

abominably

in an extremely unpleasant or disgusting manner

assuage

to make something unpleasant less severe