Odyssey Part 1 Flashcards

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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?

Guile is Odysseus' intelligence for peace and war; it's unusual because it's not a common weapon. Signup and view all the answers

How many years after leaving Troy is Odysseus telling his story, and to whom is he telling it?

10 years after leaving Troy, and he is telling it to the Muse. Signup and view all the answers

What is the name of Odysseus' home?

Ithaca Signup and view all the answers

What two women held Odysseus captive?

Calypso and Circe Signup and view all the answers

How do Odysseus' men misbehave and what is the result?

They ate instead of stopping the fugitives, resulting in Zeus cursing them. Signup and view all the answers

Who are the Achaeans?

The people taking over Achaea. Signup and view all the answers

What happens to Odysseus and his ship and crew during the storm?

Odysseus' ship and crew got into a storm but let the breeze take over the ships. Signup and view all the answers

What does Odysseus find in the land of the Lotus-Eaters?

He finds and takes on water. Signup and view all the answers

What happens to the men Odysseus sends out to find more about the land?

The men fell with the Lotus Eaters. Signup and view all the answers

What does Odysseus have to do to the men?

He has to tie them onto the benches. Signup and view all the answers

How does Odysseus show some of his qualities in these episodes?

He reveals his intelligence, bravery, quick thinking, and creativity. Signup and view all the answers

What responsibilities does Odysseus demonstrate?

He ensures his men don't eat the Lotus to maintain hope for their homes. Signup and view all the answers

What do these lines suggest about Greek culture and what they value?

They value laws and their gods, referring to them as blessings. Signup and view all the answers

What does Odysseus bring when he goes to explore the cave of the Cyclops?

12 best fighters and a goatskin full of wine. Signup and view all the answers

Where is the Cyclops when Odysseus and his men enter the cave?

The Cyclops is with his sheep. Signup and view all the answers

What character flaw does Odysseus reveal by refusing to leave the cave?

He wanted to have it his way instead of following his men's advice. Signup and view all the answers

What chores does the Cyclops do before realizing Odysseus and his men are in his cave?

He started a fire for supper and dealt with his rams. Signup and view all the answers

What city did Agamemnon lay waste?

Troy Signup and view all the answers

What is the reaction of the Cyclops to Odysseus' request for hospitality?

The Cyclops did not want Odysseus there and didn't care about the gods. Signup and view all the answers

What lie does Odysseus tell? In what ways does it show he is formidable for guile?

He claims a storm drove their ship there; he is a good strong speaker. Signup and view all the answers

Why doesn't Odysseus kill the Cyclops in that moment?

Killing him would prevent them from moving the big slab and escaping. Signup and view all the answers

What is Odysseus' plan to defeat the Cyclops?

He gets him drunk, and then he uses a club to poke out the Cyclops' eye. Signup and view all the answers

What heroic qualities does Odysseus reveal as he plots against the Cyclops?

He shows determination and thoughtful planning. Signup and view all the answers

What plan do you think Odysseus has in mind by offering the Cyclops wine?

To get the Cyclops drunk so he falls asleep. Signup and view all the answers

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.