Podcast
Questions and Answers
How do we know that Odysseus is special?
How do we know that Odysseus is special?
The gods have a relationship with him, but they do not have a relationship with all people.
What two instructions does Athena give to Odysseus?
What two instructions does Athena give to Odysseus?
What does Athena do to Odysseus's appearance?
What does Athena do to Odysseus's appearance?
She makes him look like himself again.
What does Telemachus think about Odysseus?
What does Telemachus think about Odysseus?
Signup and view all the answers
What two things are compared in the epic simile involving Odysseus and Telemachus? What does the comparison mean?
What two things are compared in the epic simile involving Odysseus and Telemachus? What does the comparison mean?
Signup and view all the answers
Why does Telemachus have to count the suitors?
Why does Telemachus have to count the suitors?
Signup and view all the answers
What is Telemachus's opinion of their situation?
What is Telemachus's opinion of their situation?
Signup and view all the answers
How many suitors are there?
How many suitors are there?
Signup and view all the answers
Why does Telemachus think that the gods will not help them?
Why does Telemachus think that the gods will not help them?
Signup and view all the answers
What five instructions does Odysseus give to Telemachus? (Select all that apply)
What five instructions does Odysseus give to Telemachus? (Select all that apply)
Signup and view all the answers
Who takes care of Argus now that he's old?
Who takes care of Argus now that he's old?
Signup and view all the answers
For what two reasons is Odysseus sad?
For what two reasons is Odysseus sad?
Signup and view all the answers
What was Argus like as a hunting dog?
What was Argus like as a hunting dog?
Signup and view all the answers
What happens to the servants while Odysseus has been away?
What happens to the servants while Odysseus has been away?
Signup and view all the answers
How is this episode different from the other episodes we have read before?
How is this episode different from the other episodes we have read before?
Signup and view all the answers
Summarize what Antinous says to Odysseus.
Summarize what Antinous says to Odysseus.
Signup and view all the answers
What is meant by the sentence in this statement?
What is meant by the sentence in this statement?
Signup and view all the answers
Who throws what?
Who throws what?
Signup and view all the answers
Summarize these lines.
Summarize these lines.
Signup and view all the answers
What point about the gods does one of the suitors make?
What point about the gods does one of the suitors make?
Signup and view all the answers
What trait does Telemachus demonstrate in these lines?
What trait does Telemachus demonstrate in these lines?
Signup and view all the answers
What does Penelope wish?
What does Penelope wish?
Signup and view all the answers
What is being said about a dog? Is this an epic simile?
What is being said about a dog? Is this an epic simile?
Signup and view all the answers
Why is Antinous the worst of the suitors?
Why is Antinous the worst of the suitors?
Signup and view all the answers
In one word, sum up Penelope's reputation. What is Penelope being compared to?
In one word, sum up Penelope's reputation. What is Penelope being compared to?
Signup and view all the answers
Why doesn't Odysseus talk about his past? What trait is demonstrated by him in the passage?
Why doesn't Odysseus talk about his past? What trait is demonstrated by him in the passage?
Signup and view all the answers
What reason does Penelope give as to why she can't be a proper queen?
What reason does Penelope give as to why she can't be a proper queen?
Signup and view all the answers
How does Odysseus avoid marrying a suitor for 3 years?
How does Odysseus avoid marrying a suitor for 3 years?
Signup and view all the answers
For what three reasons does Penelope feel that she must now marry one of the suitors? (Select all that apply)
For what three reasons does Penelope feel that she must now marry one of the suitors? (Select all that apply)
Signup and view all the answers
What is Antinous doing right when Odysseus kills him?
What is Antinous doing right when Odysseus kills him?
Signup and view all the answers
What is being compared in this simile?
What is being compared in this simile?
Signup and view all the answers
What trait does Odysseus demonstrate in these lines?
What trait does Odysseus demonstrate in these lines?
Signup and view all the answers
What do the suitors assume?
What do the suitors assume?
Signup and view all the answers
Summarize what Eurymachus says.
Summarize what Eurymachus says.
Signup and view all the answers
Why is the description of Eurymachus's sword a simile but not an epic simile?
Why is the description of Eurymachus's sword a simile but not an epic simile?
Signup and view all the answers
What is Odysseus saying?
What is Odysseus saying?
Signup and view all the answers
What two things are being compared in this epic simile?
What two things are being compared in this epic simile?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the effect of having Athena's makeover compared to the work of a metal craftsman?
What is the effect of having Athena's makeover compared to the work of a metal craftsman?
Signup and view all the answers
What does Odysseus mean when he calls Penelope 'hard'?
What does Odysseus mean when he calls Penelope 'hard'?
Signup and view all the answers
What does Penelope mean?
What does Penelope mean?
Signup and view all the answers
What is Penelope doing? Why is Odysseus raging?
What is Penelope doing? Why is Odysseus raging?
Signup and view all the answers
What is Penelope's plea?
What is Penelope's plea?
Signup and view all the answers
What two things are being compared in this epic simile?
What two things are being compared in this epic simile?
Signup and view all the answers
Study Notes
Character Insights
- Odysseus' special relationship with the gods distinguishes him from ordinary people.
- Athena instructs Odysseus to reveal himself to Telemachus and devise a plan to eliminate the suitors.
- Odysseus undergoes a transformation back to his true self, enhancing his appearance.
- Telemachus initially perceives Odysseus as a god due to his sudden change in looks.
Emotional Moments and Relationships
- An epic simile compares the emotional cries of Odysseus and Telemachus to a hawk mourning its lost chicks, highlighting their deep bond and shared sorrow.
- Telemachus counts the suitors to assess their strength for a potential confrontation and doubts their chances due to their overwhelming numbers.
- Acknowledging the gods’ possible indifference, Telemachus fears that divine favor may not be on their side.
Strategic Planning
- Odysseus provides Telemachus with crucial strategies to manage the suitors, including remaining calm, hiding their weapons, and ensuring secrecy about his return.
- Telemachus doubts their ability to fight effectively against the suitors, given their numerical advantage and armament.
Argus's Situation
- Argus, once a brave and skilled hunting dog, now suffers from neglect and abandonment due to Odysseus' long absence.
- Odysseus feels a bittersweet joy at seeing Argus but is saddened by his condition, reflecting on his faithful companionship.
Conflicts with the Suitors
- Antinous confronts Odysseus, still disguised as a beggar, challenging the idea of sharing food with someone of low status.
- Odysseus rebukes Antinous for his arrogance and bad behavior, revealing the challenges faced by disguised Odysseus.
- The suitors, particularly Antinous, display cruelty when throwing a stool at Odysseus, demonstrating their disrespect and entitlement.
Penelope's Challenges
- Penelope's honorable reputation as a queen contrasts with the suitors' behavior, highlighting her struggle between loyalty to Odysseus and societal pressures.
- She cleverly delays remarrying by weaving a burial shroud, unraveling it nightly to buy time.
- As pressures to marry mount, Penelope reveals her feelings of helplessness and the weight of her responsibilities towards Telemachus.
Odysseus' Revenge
- Odysseus demonstrates strategic cleverness in his attacks against the suitors, showcasing his simultaneous physical strength and mental prowess.
- The dramatic moment of killing Antinous is marked with meticulous detail, conveying the brutality of the confrontation.
- The imagery of blood flowing from Antinous is likened to water from pipes, intensifying the violence of the act.
Final Confrontation and Tests
- Odysseus instructs Telemachus to fetch more weapons, knowing their survival hinges on preparation and resourcefulness.
- Penelope’s skepticism about Odysseus' identity leads to an emotional test, reinforcing themes of trust and loyalty.
- Their relationship is underscored by Penelope's cautiousness, as she desires to confirm his identity before fully accepting him back.
Conclusion
- The narratives are rich with emotional depth, strategic interactions, and the dynamic relationships between characters, emphasizing themes of loyalty, identity, and the struggle for justice.
Studying That Suits You
Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.
Description
Test your knowledge of Part 2 of the Odyssey with these flashcards. Explore key themes, characters, and divine interventions as Odysseus navigates his journey back home. Perfect for students looking to enhance their understanding of this classic text.