1. THE ODYSSEY Homer

3. a complex story that involves many characters and spans many years

5. the epic hero undertakes a dangerous voyage and demonstrates traits valued by his society

7. a Greek poet; author of The Illiadand The Odyssey

8. may have been blind

10. the ten-year war between the Trojans and the Greeks happened sometime around 1000 B.C.

13. an epic poem about humans on the journey of life overcoming temptations along the way.

16. Calypso – sea goddess who loved Odysseus

17. Circe – an enchantress who helps Odysseus

18. Polyphemus – one of the Cyclops who traps the men

19. Tiresias – a blind prophet who helps Odysseus

20. Sirens – female creatures whose songs tempt sailors

21. Charybdis – a dangerous whirlpool

23. speaks of the Trojan War

24. describes Odysseus’ fight to get home

26. this story is Books IX-XII

27. his home is Ithaca; his men are the Greeks

28. he has been on Calypso’s island for a long time

29. after Troy, arrived in Ismarus where the Cicones live

31. the storm takes them off course for several days

32. arrive at the home of the Lotus-Eaters

33. the men forget to go home when they taste the Lotus

36. Odysseus and 12 men bring wine and gifts

37. Odysseus is curious and wants to see the cave man

38. Polyphemus rejects Odysseus’ request for help

40. while Polyphemus is gone, the men fashion a stake

41. eats two more men, then drinks Odysseus’ wine

42. Odysseus calls himself “Nobody”

44. Polyphemus blocks the door so the men can’t escape

46. Polyphemus responds by heaving rocks, almost destroying the ship

47. Poly. says that a wizard once predicted this incident

49. after seven days they get to the land of the Laestrygonians, cannibals – destroy all ships but one

51. Part 5: The Land of the Dead Q: Who is Elpenor? A: One of Odysseus’ soldiers who died in Circe’s hall. Q: What does he want Odysseus to do when he gets back to Aeaea Island? A: Cremate and bury him properly Q: What could Elpenor’s death be a symbol of? A: Foolish behavior (he dies as the result of stupidity and drunkenness)

52. Part 5: The Land of the Dead Q: Who is Anticlea? A: Odysseus’ mother; he sees her dead soul Q: Who appears next? A: Tiresias Q: According to Tiresias, why is Poseidon angry with Odysseus? A: For blinding his son, Polyphemus

53. Part 5: The Land of the Dead Q: What does Tiresias tell Odysseus to avoid? A: The grazing cattle belonging to Helios Q: What does Tiresias say Odysseus will find at home? A: Men eating his livestock and courting his wife Q: After he has returned home, who should Odysseus make a sacrifice to? A: Lord Poseidon

55. do not eat the cattle

56. you will find trouble when you return home

58. Scylla, a sea monster eats six of the best men

59. Odysseus realizes that weapons are useless against her

61. #1

62. #2

63. #3

64. #4

65. #5

66. s #6

67. #7

68. #8

69. #9

70. #10

72. several days pass and the men begin to starve

73. Odysseus goes off alone; Eurylochus convinces the men to slaughter the cattle

75. Odysses’ remaining men are flung into the sea

76. Odysseus survives by clinging to a piece of wood; Zeus helps him to avoid Scylla

77. arrives at Calypso’s island – there for seven years

78. flashback ends here – he is now at Phaeacia, about to return home to Ithaca