The Odyssey Flashcards

Questions and Answers

What does Polyphemus do that horrifies Odysseus and his men?

Polyphemus rolls the stone over his cave, trapping them, and eats one of Odysseus' men.

How do Odysseus and his men escape Polyphemus?

Odysseus and his men stab Polyphemus in the eye, causing him to open the door to call for help; they then rush out disguised as sheep.

What gift does Aeolus give to Odysseus?

Aeolus gives Odysseus a bag of wind to help them return to their homeland, Ithaca.

Why is it so tragic when Odysseus' men open the sack?

When Odysseus' men open the sack at the wrong time, they are blown to the other side of the world, away from Ithaca. Signup and view all the answers

What story does one of Odysseus' men tell them when they try to kill the pig?

One of Odysseus' men claims that the pig was actually another man, transformed by a witch named Circe. Signup and view all the answers

Who visits Odysseus on his way up the mountain? What advice/help does he offer?

Hermes visits Odysseus and gives him an antidote to resist Circe's honey wine and advises him to threaten her first before seducing her. Signup and view all the answers

What does Anticlea, Odysseus' mother, do? Why?

Anticlea commits suicide by drowning because she cannot bear to live without Odysseus. Signup and view all the answers

What does Circe tell Odysseus that shocks him?

Circe tells Odysseus that he and his men stayed at her palace for five years, which felt like only five days. Signup and view all the answers

Where does Circe send Odysseus to find Tiresias, the prophet?

Circe sends Odysseus to the underworld through the river of fire. Signup and view all the answers

Why are the noblemen of Ithaca at Odysseus' home?

The noblemen are at Odysseus' home to convince themselves and others that he is dead and to marry Penelope to take the throne. Signup and view all the answers

Who does Odysseus see when he leaves Tiresias? What advice does she give him?

Odysseus sees his mother, Anticlea, who tells him to hurry home before the noblemen take Penelope. Signup and view all the answers

What does Penelope tell Telemachus she promised Odysseus before he left for Troy?

Penelope promised Odysseus that she would remarry by the time Telemachus grew his first beard. Signup and view all the answers

What does Penelope tell the suitors to hold them off?

Penelope tells the suitors that she will remarry when she finishes weaving a tapestry for Odysseus. Signup and view all the answers

How did Odysseus wind up alone?

Odysseus ends up alone after Scylla and Charybdis eat and destroy all of his men. Signup and view all the answers

What does Calypso tell Odysseus about her island?

Calypso says that no one ever leaves her island. Signup and view all the answers

What does Telemachus tell Penelope he wants to do? What is her advice to him?

Telemachus wants to kill all the suitors, but Penelope advises him not to and reminds him of who he is as the son of Odysseus. Signup and view all the answers

Who makes her presence known to Telemachus? Where does she send him?

Athena makes her presence known to Telemachus and sends him to find his father. Signup and view all the answers

What does Hermes threaten Calypso with if she doesn't set Odysseus free?

Hermes threatens that if Calypso does not let Odysseus go, her island will sink and she will be banished to the depths of Poseidon's sea. Signup and view all the answers

What secret do the suitors find out?

The suitors discover that Penelope has been prolonging her remarriage by undoing her weaving. Signup and view all the answers

Why does King Menelaus believe Odysseus is dead?

King Menelaus believes Odysseus is dead because he fought alongside him in Troy and Odysseus did not return with the other men. Signup and view all the answers

What does Poseidon want Odysseus to understand?

Poseidon wants Odysseus to understand that man is nothing without the gods. Signup and view all the answers

What does the Phaeacian King offer to do for Odysseus?

The Phaeacian King offers to provide Odysseus with a ship and a crew loaded with riches to sail safely home. Signup and view all the answers

What does Athena tell Odysseus she knows is his greatest fear?

Athena tells Odysseus that his greatest fear is that Penelope has not been true to her word or that she is dead. Signup and view all the answers

What does Penelope tell 'the beggar' she plans to do?

Penelope tells 'the beggar' that she plans to hold a contest for her hand the next morning. Signup and view all the answers

How does Odysseus make his presence known to the suitors in his house?

Odysseus makes his presence known by winning the contest of stringing and shooting his bow for Penelope's hand. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Encounters with Polyphemus

Polyphemus, a cyclops, traps Odysseus and his men by rolling a stone over the entrance, horrifying them as he devours one of the men.
Odysseus and his crew escape by blinding Polyphemus with a sharpened stake. They disguise themselves as sheep to avoid detection while fleeing.

Gifts and Misfortunes

Aeolus provides Odysseus with a "bag of wind" intended to guide his ship back to Ithaca.
The crew mistakenly opens the bag, unleashing powerful winds that blow them far from their destination.

Transformation and Encounters

Circe, a witch, transforms Odysseus’s men into pigs. One man reveals this transformation, soliciting help from Odysseus.
Hermes visits Odysseus, providing an antidote against Circe’s magic and advising him to assert dominance before sleeping with her.

Familial Loss and Prophecies

Anticlea, Odysseus's mother, tragically takes her life by drowning, overwhelmed by sorrow in Odysseus's absence.
Circe reveals to Odysseus that five years have passed in her company, although he only perceives it as five days.

Journey to the Underworld

To seek the prophet Tiresias, Circe instructs Odysseus to travel to the underworld via the river of fire.
During his journey, Odysseus encounters his mother, who advises him to return home swiftly to protect Penelope from the suitors.

Penelope's Trials

The noblemen of Ithaca converge at Odysseus’s home, intending to marry Penelope and seize the throne, believing Odysseus is dead.
Penelope tells Telemachus that she vowed to remarry only after he matures. She also devises a plan to delay suitors by unweaving a tapestry each night.

Isolation and Divine Intervention

Odysseus finds himself alone after Scylla and Charybdis devour his crew.
Calypso, a nymph, expresses that no one leaves her island, but Hermes threatens her with dire consequences if she does not release Odysseus.

Telemachus's Growth and Athena’s Guidance

Telemachus expresses a desire to kill the suitors, but Penelope advises against this, reminding him of his noble lineage.
Athena, disguised as Mentor, guides Telemachus to search for his father, reinforcing his role as Odysseus’s son.

The Nature of Divine Influence

Poseidon underscores the importance of divine powers, emphasizing that humans are insignificant without the gods’ influence.
The Phaeacian King offers assistance to Odysseus, promising him a ship and resources for his journey home.

Confrontation and Recognition

Athena identifies Odysseus’s greatest fear: that Penelope might be unfaithful or deceased.
Penelope tells a beggar, who is Odysseus in disguise, about her plan for a contest to choose a suitor, marking a turning point in her situation.

Return and Tests of Strength

Odysseus reveals himself to the suitors by successfully stringing his bow and shooting an arrow, a test he uniquely accomplishes due to his strength and skill.

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Description

Test your knowledge of 'The Odyssey' with these flashcards focusing on key events and characters, including Polyphemus and Odysseus' clever tactics. Understand the challenges faced by Odysseus and how he manages to escape dangerous situations. Perfect for students looking to reinforce their understanding of this classic epic.