Questions and Answers
What is the name of Odysseus' father?
Laertes
Who do you think that man is?
Odysseus
What did Odysseus fight to do? Did he succeed or fail?
He fought for his shipmates and failed due to their recklessness.
What is guile and why is it unusual as a weapon?
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How many years after leaving Troy is Odysseus telling his story, and to whom is he telling it?
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What is the name of Odysseus' home?
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What two women held Odysseus captive?
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How do Odysseus' men misbehave and what is the result?
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Who are the Achaeans?
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What happens to Odysseus and his ship and crew during the storm?
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What does Odysseus find in the land of the Lotus-Eaters?
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What happens to the men Odysseus sends out to find more about the land?
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What does Odysseus have to do to the men?
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How does Odysseus show some of his qualities in these episodes?
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What responsibilities does Odysseus demonstrate?
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What do these lines suggest about Greek culture and what they value?
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What does Odysseus bring when he goes to explore the cave of the Cyclops?
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Where is the Cyclops when Odysseus and his men enter the cave?
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What character flaw does Odysseus reveal by refusing to leave the cave?
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What chores does the Cyclops do before realizing Odysseus and his men are in his cave?
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What city did Agamemnon lay waste?
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What is the reaction of the Cyclops to Odysseus' request for hospitality?
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What lie does Odysseus tell? In what ways does it show he is formidable for guile?
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Why doesn't Odysseus kill the Cyclops in that moment?
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What is Odysseus' plan to defeat the Cyclops?
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What heroic qualities does Odysseus reveal as he plots against the Cyclops?
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What plan do you think Odysseus has in mind by offering the Cyclops wine?
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Study Notes
Odysseus' Background
- Odysseus' father is Laertes.
- He narrated his story ten years after leaving Troy, sharing it with the Muse.
- His home is Ithaca.
Incorporating Guile
- Guile represents Odysseus' intelligence, used as his unique weapon in both peace and war.
- The use of intelligence as a weapon is uncommon in warfare.
Captivity and Consequences
- Odysseus was held captive by two women: Calypso and Circe.
- His men faced consequences for their recklessness, which led to Zeus cursing them.
Character Qualities
- Odysseus reveals intelligence, bravery, quick thinking, and creativity in difficult situations.
- He shows responsibility by preventing his men from consuming the Lotus, which would lead them to lose hope of returning home.
Greek Values
- Greek culture places value on laws, referred to as blessings.
- The people held strong beliefs in their gods and their influence on life.
Encounters with Cyclops
- Odysseus entered the Cyclops' cave with 12 of his strongest fighters and a goatskin full of wine.
- The Cyclops was with his sheep when Odysseus and his crew entered the cave.
Heroic Flaws and Decisions
- Odysseus displays a character flaw by refusing to heed his men's advice to leave the cave hastily.
- The Cyclops ignored Odysseus' request for hospitality, showing disregard for the gods.
- Odysseus lies, claiming a storm forced them to the island, demonstrating his skill in deception.
Strategies for Survival
- Odysseus refrained from killing the Cyclops immediately since it would prevent their escape.
- He planned to overpower the Cyclops by intoxicating him with wine and blinding him with a staff made from an olive branch.
Determination and Ingenuity
- Odysseus' resilience is evident as he devises a plan against the Cyclops, showing his strategic thinking.
- His offer of wine was a strategic move aimed at incapacitating the Cyclops to secure the escape of him and his men.
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Description
Test your knowledge of the key concepts and characters from Part 1 of Homer's 'Odyssey'. This quiz features critical questions about Odysseus, his father Laertes, and the challenges he faced. Perfect for students studying literature or mythology.