The Odyssey Quiz 2
The comparison between Hermes and a tern
". . .swooping down from Pieria, down the high clear air, plunged into the sea and skimmed the waves like a tern that down the deadly gulfs of the barren salt swell glides and dives for fish, dipping its beating wings in bursts of spray - so Hermes skimmed the crests on endless crests."
Calypso and Ogygia
- "Lustrous goddess" - "Breathtaking voice" - "Lustrous Calypso" - "Queenly nymph" - "Nymph with the lovely braids" - "Lovely goddess" - "Even a deathless god who came upon that place would gaze in wonder"
Throughout the text, Odysseus will ask quite a few people/immortals to "swear oaths" to him. What do these requests demonstrate?
- Odysseus' thoughtfulness - He will not willingly trust any/all those he meets. - The value of one's word/promise in Ancient Greece
Calypso provides Odysseus with the means to build his raft, but...
... she does so while wearing a "loose, glistening robe,/ filmy, a joy to the eye". Clearly, this is NOT a woman who gives up easily, and is not afraid to use her sexuality to her advantage!! Then it shows the process by which Odysseus builds the raft. Though it may not mean much to us as modern readers, the Ancient Greeks (for whom shipbuilding was an essential skill for traveling and trading) would have respected Odysseus' abilities as highlighted in this passage.
How long did the men fight in Troy?
9 years
What was happening when Telemachus arrived in Pylos?
A sacrifice to Poseidon of dozens of bulls is taking place. (This is an example of piety and reverence to the gods.)
What does Menelaus tell Telemachus about his experience in Troy?
After the travelers are bathed and fed, Menelaus tells them of his grief for his mates who died at Troy - especially Odysseus. Helen, wife of Menelaus, emerges from her chamber and says their visitor must be Telemachus. Pisistratus confirms this, and says that Nestor sent them for help from Menelaus. Menelaus gives a moving speech about his feelings for Odysseus, inspiring tears in them all; Pisistratus is particularly affected, remembering his brother Antilochus who died at Troy.
What does Telemachus tell Nestor after they eat?
After they eat, Telemachus tells Nestor, who fought alongside Odysseus during the Trojan War, that he is seeking information about his father. Nestor responds, but he doesn't know what befell Odysseus.
What is Nestor's explanation regarding how Aegisthus managed to kill Agamemnon?
Agamemnon and Menelaus were away fighting, Aegisthus eventually won over Agamemnon's queen, Clytemnestra. He ruled over Agamemnon's kingdom as a tyrant for seven years before Orestes killed him and Clytemnestra.
What is the food of the gods?
Ambrosia and Nectar
What does Athena do to ensure Telemachus' success?
Athena (who is still in disguise) prays to Poseidon for the success of their mission.
What happens at the beginning of book 5?
Athena appeals to the gods and begins the implementation of her plan.
What sign proved that the gods were on Telemachus' side?
Athena flies away as an eagle. The men are stunned, and the proof that the gods are on Telemachus' side inspires Nestor, who pledges a sacrifice to Athena and encourages Telemachus not to lose faith in himself.
In book 3, who did Athena instigate a fight between?
Athena provoked a fight between the brothers Menelaus and Agamemnon and divided the Achaeans into two camps
How could the immortality scarf be seen as a temptation?
He must be able to let go of immortality and not look back with either greed or regret.
What does Helen do at the party?
Helen puts a magical libation in the wine bowl that prevents the drinker from crying that day. She encourages everyone to cheer up, and tells a story about Odysseus' disguising himself as a beggar during the war. Menelaus recounts the famous anecdote of how Odysseus hid himself and his men inside a wooden horse to invade Troy.
What does Nestor say was Odysseus' greatest talent in war?
His cunning and strategious nature.
In book 4, what happened on Ithica while Telemachus was gone?
Meanwhile, in Ithaca, the suitors find out about Telemachus' journey to Pylos and plan to ambush him on his way home. Penelope learns of their plans and Telemachus' journey, and grieves. She calls for help from Athena, who visits her in a dream as Penelope's sister. She assures Penelope she will protect Telemachus, though she cannot tell her anything about Odysseus.
How does Menelaus welcome Telemachus and Pisistratus to Lacedaemon?
Menelaus welcomes them to the double wedding feast taking place for both his son and daughter. After the travelers are bathed and fed, Menelaus tells them of his grief for his mates who died at Troy - especially Odysseus.
What does Nestor say to Telemachus regarding the suitors?
Nestor suggests Odysseus may return, or perhaps Athena will help him, as she used to do with his father.
What does Nestor warn Telemachus about?
Nestor warns Telemachus: "Don't rover from home too long,/too far, leaving your own holdings unprotected" (3.354-355). He also urges him to find Menelaus for more news, and offers to provide him with horses, a chariot, and his sons for company.
When we first see Odysseus, why do we think he is crying?
Odysseus misses his family; misses his home; is frustrated
What happened to Menelaus when he was returning from Troy?
On his return from Troy, his men were stranded on an island without any wind. They managed to capture Proteus, the Ancient of the Sea. Proteus told them that if they made a sacrifice to the gods, they could continue home. He also told him about Agamemnon's murder, and that Odysseus is a prisoner on Calypso's island.
Who is the first person to greet Telemachus?
Pisistratus, King Nestor's son, greets Telemachus and his men first, and invites them to feast and pay tribute to Poseidon. (This is an example of hospitality).
Using his raft, Odysseus is able to leave Calypso's island, but, his journey is not easy. What obstacles does he encounter?
Poseidon creates a storm His raft is destroyed by the storm Almost dies (immortality scarf saves him)
Where does Telemachus arrive at the beginning of book 3?
Pylos
Why does Calypso become so angry when hearing what Hermes wants her to do?
Sexist double standards for women, even immortal women.
Calypso's possessive language
She refers to him as "my unlucky one" even as she is telling him that he will finally be sent away from the island. Such language is indicative of the attitude which Calypso will adopt for the rest of this book. She will not WANT Odysseus to leave, but she cannot MAKE him stay, so she attempts to manipulate him into staying by reminding him of all he would be leaving behind and by trying to scare him with regards to the obstacles he may encounter following his departure.
Where do Telemachus and Pisistratus arrive at the beginning of book 4?
Telemachus and Pisistratus arrive at Menelaus' opulent mansion in Lacedaemon.
After going to Lacedaemon, where do Telemachus and Pisistratus sail to?
Telemachus and Pisistratus return to Pylos to sail for Ithaca.
Where does Telemachus go after Pylos?
Telemachus and his companions arrive at Phera at night, then Lacedaemon the next day, and continue to their final destination of Sparta.
What does Menelaus say to Telemachus regarding the suitors?
The king is indignant at the behavior of the suitors and hopes Odysseus can mete out their punishment. He tells of how, on his return from Troy, his men were stranded on an island without any wind.
"The nymph no longer pleased"
This line implies that Calypso ONCE pleased Odysseus, and this again is what many find problematic in his character. This can also be considered an example of Odysseus giving into hedonistic pursuits, specifically the 'pleasures of the flesh.'
What does it mean when Odysseus is describes as being "worldly"?
This means intelligent and knowledgeable (as one would hopefully be from travelling the world).
When Telemachus is at Pylos, what does Athena encourage him to do?
To seek out old king Nestor, whom she claims will "never lie - the man is far too wise."
