Odyssey 1-6 Study Questions

1. Identify Aigisthos, Orestes, Polyphemos, Ogygia, Pylos, Telemachos, Phemios, Penelope, Ithaka, Kalypso, Mentes, Mentor, Laertes, Antinoos, Eurymachos, Eurykleia, Nausikaa, Arete, Alkinoos.

Book 1

2. What major themes are introduced in the first 10 lines?

3. What is the crisis faced by Penelope on Ithaka as the Odyssey begins?

4. What is Telemachos' status in the household?

5. What does Agamemnon have in common with Odysseus?

6. How do the suitors behave?

7. Which divinity is the greatest champion of Odysseus' household?

Book 2

8. What unusual event is taking place at the beginning of Book 2 and why?

9. What does Antinoos say about Penelope?

10. When does Penelope sleep?

11. Why does Telemachos keep his journey secret from Penelope?

Book 3

12. What is Nestor's household like? Describe his hospitality.

13. What are the obstacles to homecoming that Nestor describes?

14. What happened to Menelaus on his journey home?

Book 4

15. What is going on in Menelaus' household?

16. What does Helen say and do when she enters?

17. What story does she tell of Odysseus at Troy? What does she say of herself?

18. What does Menelaus say about Helen's actions at Troy?

19. What did Menelaus have to do in order to achieve his nostos from Egypt?

20. What threat awaits Telemachos on Ithaka?

21. What information is withheld from Penelope by her dream?

Book 5

22. Where is Odysseus for the first five books?

23. What is Kalypso doing when Hermes finds her?

24. What is her complaint against the gods?

25. What does Kalypso offer Odysseus? What is his response?

26. How is Odysseus saved from Poseidon's storm?

Book 6

27. Why is laundry suddenly so important to Nausikaa?

28. Why are Nausikaa's companions terrified by Odysseus?

29. How does Odysseus win her favour?

30. What problem faces Nausikaa in trying to help Odysseus?