Odyssey
13-18 Study Questions
Identify: Eumaios, Dolios,
Theoklymenos, Melanthios, Amphinomos, Iros, and Melantho.
Book 13
1. Why is the Phaiakian
ship turned to stone?
2. Why does Odysseus
not recognize his homeland?
3. How does Odysseus
endear himself to Athene?
4. What is the relationship
between Athene and Poseidon?
5. Why does Athene disguise
Odysseus and how is this strategy similar to others mentioned in the epic?
6. What is Odysseus'
first stop on his way into Ithaka from the shore and why?
Book 14
7. How is it possible
for a swineherd to be "noble"?
8. What does Odysseus
learn from Eumaios?
9. What is the function
of the false autobiography Odysseus narrates to Eumaios?
10. How does Odysseus
get a mantle for himself?
Book 15
11. What is the omen
that Helen interprets and what does it indicate?
12. What is Eumaios'
life story?
Book 16
13. How does Eumaios
greet Telemachos and what does Telemachos ask him?
14. Why doesn't Odysseus
identify himself to Telemachos immediately?
15. Why does Laertes
live apart from the house?
16. What must Telemachos
be able to do in order to carry out their plan?
17. Why does Antinoos
propose to murder Telemachos?
Book 17
19. How much information
does Penelope get from her son? From Theoklymenos?
20. What sort of servant
is Melanthios? How does Odysseus react to him?
21. What happens when
Argos the dog sees Odysseus in the house again for the first time?
22. What is the function
of Odysseus' encounter with Antinoos?
23. How does Telemachos'
sneeze affect Penelope?
Book 18
24. What is the function
of Odysseus' fight with Iros?
25. Why does Penelope
decide to show herself to the suitors? What effect does this have on the suitors
and on Odysseus?