Part I Questions

1. Part I Questions “The Odyssey”

2. 1. Who is saying the Invocation? What is the reason for saying an Invocation? Homer is reciting the Invocation. The purpose of an invocation is to ask for poetic inspiration and to call for help and guidance in telling the story.

3. 2. Where is Odysseus telling his story from? He tells his story from Phaeacia (FEE AY SHA) and he tells his story to King Alcinous.

4. 3. Who was holding Odysseus captive for seven years, and where does Odysseus wish to return to? The island nymph named Calypso holds Odysseus captive for seven years. Odysseus wishes to return to his wife Penelope and son Telemachus in Ithaca.

5. 4. What is the danger in eating Lotus flowers? What effect do they have on Odysseus’ men? The Lotus flowers make people forgetful and not wanting to go anywhere. Odysseus’ men lose sight of wanting to go home.

6. 5. What are some characteristics of Cyclopes (physical, personal, mental, etc)? Cyclopes are tall, brute, stupid beings. They have the appearance of ugly monsters with only one eye. They are uncivilized and are not very gracious to humans.

7. 6. What do Odysseus’ men want to do with the Cyclops’ possessions? They want to take Cyclops’ possessions aboard the ship.

8. 7. What God does Odysseus tell Cyclops will be angry if his men are not treated well? Why does Odysseus do this? Odysseus says Zeus will be angry. Odysseus says this to scare and guilt Cyclops into making Odysseus and his crew feel at home.

9. 8. Why does Odysseus not initially kill Cyclops? Is this a good decision? Odysseus does not kill Cyclops because the cave was closed over by a large boulder. If Cyclops was dead, they’d never be able to escape. Yes, Odysseus made a good decision.

10. 9. How does Odysseus eventually plan to (hurt) kill Cyclops? Odysseus and his men want to hurt Cyclops by driving a burning hot, sharpened tree trunk into the Cyclops’ eye.

11. 10. What does Odysseus initially tell Cyclops his name is? Why does Odysseus do this? Odysseus tells Cyclops that his name is “Nohbdy”. He tells Cyclops a fake name so that he can hide his identity and because he plans to use the name in a trick.

12. 11. What is Cyclops’ actual name? Who is he related to? Cyclops’ real name is Polyphemus. He is related to Poseidon, god of the sea and earthquakes.

13. 12. How do Odysseus and his men escape Cyclops’ cave? Odysseus and his men escape after they have blinded Cyclops. Odysseus tied himself and his crew under the sheep and were let out when the Cyclops let them out in the morning to graze.

14. 13. What is ironic about Cyclops’ comments to his “lead” ram? The ram Odysseus was tied under is usually the ram who leads the flock and is the first one out. The Cyclops is suspicious which creates a tension in the story.

15. 14. Why does Odysseus eventually tell Cyclops his real name? What does this say about the type of person Odysseus is? Odysseus is the “victor” and he cannot resist telling his newly blinded victim . His actions suggest Odysseus is “proud, over-confident, cocky and impulsive”.

16. 15. Why was it a mistake for Odysseus to tell Cyclops his real name? It was a mistake because Cyclops will curse Odysseus’ name to Poseidon, who has the power to control the sea and earthquakes. Poseidon has the power to make Odysseus’ trip home a challenge.