Odyssey Test Sample Questions

Jamie Rubin
Odyssey Test and Take Home Test (missed Friday before break)

Odyssey Test

Book 15- 2 omens

1) -When an eagle swoops down with a goose in its talons, it may be interpreted as how Odysseus is planning a revenge on the suitors soon.
-When a hawk is seen with a dove in its talons, Theoclymenus sees it as a sign that Odysseus, and Telemachus in particular will soon reign over the palace and become quite powerful.

Book 16- 3 ironic events

1) -An example of irony is when father and son, Odysseus and Telemachus, are with each other, however they don’t know it yet. This is ironic because after 20 long years apart, they finally reunite, however not knowing it truly because Odysseus is disguised.
-When a prince and king are living off of a poor swineherd, the classes are switched per say. This is ironic because the Odysseus and Telemachus are the two most powerful men in t he kingdom and they are being a houseguest to a poor, but loyal swineherd.
-When Penelope punishes one of the suitors for scheming a plan to kill Telemachus, it is ironic because she once “teased” the suitors, but now is completely against them for wanting her family dead.

Book 17- temptation; compare 2 major events, which was harder for Od.

1) Temptation is a huge theme in the book, let alone in this book. Odysseus must restrain himself on numerous occasions. For example when he comes across Melanthius, who kicks him, he must control himself and not fight back, just yet. Also, when Odysseus recognizes his dog, he cannot show affection, for it would blow his cover as a beggar. Another example of temptation would be when Odysseus sees food being passed out, however doesn’t receive very much at all. Of course he is tempted to take it, for it is his food rightfully, however he doesn’t. Lastly, when Penelope wishes to speak with Odysseus, he postpones it for later, even though he would love to speak with his wife who he hasn’t seen in over 20 years. The one that overpowered the rest in my opinion would be when Odysseus is smacked with a stool by Antinous, however must not fight back. This is a major example of temptation because Odysseus could rightfully kill him and the rest of the suitors at any time, and is tempted to, however he waits until the right time for revenge. This would be considered the harder incident for Odysseus because he has to wait until the right moment to reveal himself.
(*Compares ALL temptations, but explained which one is most difficult)

Book 18- 1) Athena’s loyalty -

-Athena tests Odysseus’ mettle during numerous events. He is challenged to a boxing match with another beggar, and wins, almost killing his opponent. Also, more importantly, Athena brings suitors and servants to insult and annoy Odysseus, which gets to his head and he responds with insults. Eurymachus however, gets even more annoyed with Odysseus’ insults and throws a stool at him, however misses. Athena is testing Odysseus to see if he can handle all of the commotion surrounding him.

2) Homer foreshadowing

* As Odysseus wins the fight, Amphinomus, one of Penelope’s favorite suitors, congratulates Odysseus. Odysseus, in disguise, tells him to leave the palace for he believes Odysseus will be returning and will be seeking revenge. This is foreshadowing Odysseus’ real return, without revealing how it is going to happen, or when. * Also, when Odysseus wins the fight against the other beggar, it is foreshadowing that he will later win other battles, possibly against the suitors.

The Odyssey—Test for Books XX-XXIV (take home test)

Part A- who said it? What does it mean? Choose 1.

Quote #1

In this quote, Odysseus is pleading to Athena for help to regain his control over his palace after returning and to destroy the suitors. At the beginning of book XX, Athena asks Odysseus why he isn’t asleep yet if he has his family here, and he has safely returned from his journey back home. Odysseus replies with this quote, by describing how he is scared he won’t be able to defeat the suitors by himself. Athena then answers by assuring him he will not fail, and she is on his side. She then tells Odysseus to rest and go to sleep, just then his wife awakes and prays to the Gods to kill her and stop her misery. This quote is important because it shows how desperate and distraught Odysseus is at this point. Even though he may be a magnificent hero, he still is aware he might not be able to conquer the suitors, asking for help from Athena and the Gods. Odysseus admits in this quote that he, alone cannot get his “…hands on this shameless crew, alone…”, therefore asking Athena is there is another way out of this mess.

Part B- Short essay response, all questions (3)

1) How did Odysseus obtain his great bow?

- Odysseus obtained his great bow by stringing it in his disguise. Penelope says she will marry the suitor who can string it and then shoot through a line of 12 axes. All the suitors fail, even after Eurymachus had failed too. Then, disguised Odysseus steps up to string the bow and succeeds. Also, Odysseus obtained the bow from his swineherd friend.

2) How does Penelope react when she first comes face to face with Odysseus in the hall (after Euycleia has wakened her with the news that Odysseus has returned)? Why do you think she reacts this way? (4 pts)

- Instead of jumping on Odysseus, as Telemachus predicted she would do, she almost taunts him and tries to confuse him a little, "Stranger, I'm grateful to you for ridding me of those men who were annoying me. After what you've done for me, it would be inhospitable to let you sleep here in the hall the way you did last night, so I'll have the servants move my husband's bed out of our room for you." This surprises Odysseus to say the least but he tells her that it can’t be moved because it is built into the house. By Odysseus saying this, Penelope then realizes it is truly him. Penelope then invites him to go sleep in his own bed and then spend the night together. Penelope does this is ensure that after 20 faithful years, she would not be tricked into sleeping with a complete stranger.

3) Why do you think Athena has Laertes kill Antinoos’s father, Eupeithes, versus Odysseus (4 pts)

- When Odysseus and his father Laertes are having lunch at Laertes’ house, Antinoos and his father Eupeithes plan an attack against them. Athena finds out about this attack and disguises herself as Mentor to put a stop to the attack. Athena makes Laertes kill Eupeithes with one of his spears. Athena does this because Laertes is defending his son just like Eupeithes was trying to do with his son, Antinoos.