Part Two:
Coming Home
Pages: 928- 947 In the Elements of Literature text book.
The students will be able to:
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Draw Conclusions about the text and characters.
Analyze the text and characters.
Interpret the text.
Characterize the main Characters.
Foreshadow upcoming events.
Evaluate the text and characters.
Understand the Irony within the text.
Make connections from different parts of the Odyssey that were already read.
Make inferences about different characters in the text.
Express their opinions on characters in the text.
Use context clues to help evaluate new vocabulary presented in the text.
Name: ________________________________________________________________________
Block: ________________________________________________________________________
Page 1
The Meeting of Father and Son (p. 929)
1. Why did Telemachus go to Pylos?
2. In lines 979-990, what important Greek value does Telemachus and Eumaeus’ treatment of the
unknown beggar reveal?
3. Why does Telemachus offer Odysseus an oblation?
4. What does Telemachus’ response to Odysseus’ transformation suggest about the relationship
between the ancient Greeks and their gods?
5. Elements of Literature: Epithet:
Example line 1005:
6. Why do you feel Athena changed Odysseus to his normal self so fast?
Page 2
7. In lines 1029 – 1033, to what are the cries of Odysseus and Telemachus compared to?
8. What problems now face the father and son duo?
The Beggar and the Faithful Dog (p. 932)
9. In lines 1037 – 1041, why would a great epic concern itself with an old dog?
10. In lines 1044 – 1049, how does this description of Argos make you feel?
11. In lines 1053 – 1055, what does this scene reveal about Odysseus’ character?
12. In lines 1062 – 1066, why is this scene ironic?
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13. In lines 1072 – 1076, what do you think of Eumaeus’ idea of servants?
14. In showing us how the old dog is treated, what is Homer telling us about conditions in Ithaca?
15. What happens to Argos after he finally sees his master?
16. Knowing what happens to Argos, in question 15, what does this show you?
17. At the bottom of page 933, what qualities does Penelope reveal about herself through her
actions here?
18. On the top of page 934, we are told Odysseus and Telemachus are discussing their strategy.
Based on what you know about Odysseus, what do you predict his strategy for dealing with the
suitors will be?
19. What does washing someone’s feet show?
Page 4
20. On the bottom of page 934, why do you think Odysseus does not reveal his identity to Penelope
yet?
The Test of the Great Bow (p. 936)
21. In lines 1082 - 1096, what images does Homer use to help his audience visualize even
something as ordinary as this scene at the storeroom?
22. In lines 1096 – 1099, why is Penelope crying?
23. Given that Penelope is carrying a huge bow and arrows capable of inflicting “coughing death”,
why do you think Homer chooses to mention her beauty here in line 1105? Does he mean
simply her physical attractiveness, or is he suggesting something more?
24. What is the contest that Penelope gives the suitors?
25. In lines 1126 – 1128, what is the internal conflict that Odysseus faces?
Page 5
26. In lines 1140 – 1144, why does Odysseus decide to reveal his identity to the two men now?
27. In line 1147, what does Odysseus mean here?
28. In lines 1164 – 1173, what does Odysseus plan to do to vanquish the suitors?
29. Why is Penelope’s acceptance of the beggar as a suitor ironic?
30. In lines 1174 – 1177, what do Odysseus’ actions here suggest about his state of mind?
31. In line 1185, what epithet is used for Odysseus here? Where else did we see this epithet?
32. In lines 1192 – 1207, how many auditory images can you find in this passage?
Page 6
Death at the Palace (p. 941)
33. What is the major question you expect the climax to answer?
34. In lines 1227 – 1235, what makes this description of Antinous’ death especially powerful?
35. In lines 1236 – 1243, what happened in these lines? Foreshadow what will happen next?
36. In lines 1249 – 1252, what does Homer mean when he says the suitors “imagined as they
wished”?
37. In lines 1264 – 1279, what does Eurymachus’ speech reveal about his character?
38. In lines 1285 – 1286, what two things had Odysseus done that make it nearly impossible for the
suitors to “fight [their] way out or run for it”?
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39. In lines 1290 – 1293, why does the appearance of Athena’s shield make the suitors “mad with
fear”?
40. In lines 1293 – 1303, to what are Odysseus and his men compared to? (Homeric Simile)
41. What does this bloody scene add to the epics theme about the value of hospitality and about
what happens to people who mock divine laws?
Odysseus and Penelope (p. 944)
42. Do you think the maid’s punishment fits their crimes, or is it excessive? Explain.
43. How do you think Odysseus is likely to react to Penelope’s testing?
44. In lines 1310 – 1313, why does Penelope have so much trouble recognizing Odysseus?
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45. In lines 1342 – 1346, to whom does this (Homeric) simile compare Odysseus?
46. In lines 1356 – 1357, what is Penelope implying in these lines?
47. In lines 1374 – 1384, what was the process by which Odysseus built the bed?
48. In lines 1388 – 1392, what do Penelope’s physical sensations suggest she is feeling?
49. In line 1393, what is ironic about Penelope’s statement?
50. This description of Odysseus and Penelope’s bed is famous and complex. What characteristics of
the bed suggest the strength and endurance of their love?
51. In line 1407, what does Penelope mean when she refers to her “stiff heart”?
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52. The journey ends with an embrace. What simile helps you understand the joy Odysseus feels in
the arms of his wife?
Making Meaning (p. 950)
1. Do you think Odysseus has changed since he started his adventures? Explain your responses to
Odysseus as a hero.
2. The Odyssey is many centuries old. Do you think the feelings and needs shown by the people in
the Odyssey are still important to people today? Which experiences or people in this story did
you most identify with? Explain.
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