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The Odyssey
Vocab, Elements, and Plot
39
Literature
9th Grade
10/10/2009

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Cards

Term
The Odyssey begins with what epic convention? What is its purpose?
Definition
an invocation (prayer), calling on the Muse to give inspiration in telling the story of Odysseus
Term
Who is the "he" referred to in the invocation?
Definition
Odysseus
Term
Where is Odysseus when he begins to tell his story? How did he get there?
Definition

Phaeacia

 

poseidon wrecked his raft and odysseus swam ashore?

Term
As he begins to tell his story, Odysseus introduces himself with a(n) ___________. Write the description he used.
Definition
epithet; "(I am Odysseus,) son of Laertes"
Term
According to Odysseus, what reputation does he have?
Definition
formidable (held in awe) for guile and war
Term
What is the home of Odysseus
Definition
Ithica
Term
Even though he was held by the beautiful goddess Calypso and the enchantress Circe, what does Odysseus claim to have longed for most?
Definition
home
Term
What happened at Ismarus?
Definition
Odysseus and his men raided the land and lost 72 men to the cycones
Term
What effect does the lotus plant have on those who eat it?
Definition
it makes them want to stay with the Lotus Eaters; makes them FORGET ABOUT HOME
Term
What danger lies in the land of the lotus eaters?
Definition
the lotus flower
Term
The cyclopes represent a complete lack of civilization. How does the description of them create this characterization?
Definition
they live in solitude; described as "shaggy mountain"
Term
What did Odysseus' men want to do after they first entered the cyclops' cave?
Definition
steal the cheese and animals of the cyclops and leave
Term
What was the cyclops' attitude towards the god
Definition
indifferent; not scared of them
Term
How did Odysseus respond to the cyclops' question about his ship? Why?
Definition
He lied, saying he had no ship, in order to keep the men there safe
Term
What code did the cyclops violate?
Definition
HOSPITALITY even to strangers
Term
Why did Odysseus decide not to stab the cyclops?
Definition
He and his men wouldn't be able to move the stone that stood in front of the door to the cyclops' cave
Term
To whom did Odysseus pray for the success of his scheme to escape the cyclops?
Definition
Athena
Term
To whom/what did Odysseus attribute the fact that the cyclops brought rams inside the cave for the night?
Definition
a god's bidding or a sheep herding whim
Term
In return for the special wine Odysseys gave him, what gift did the cyclops promise him?
Definition
He gave him nectar and ambrosia, but promised that he would eat him last.
Term
How did Odysseus' false name save him?
Definition
The cyclops said "Nohbdy's tricked me" so none of the cyclops helped him.
Term
Why was it significant that the cyclopes brought the rams inside the cave for the night?
Definition
The rams were used by Odysseus and his men to escape fom the cyclops' cave
Term
Even though the escape seemed to confirm Odysseus' reputation for cleverness and guile, what characteristic did Odysseus display during the escape that seemed to contrast with his cleverness?
Definition
pride
?
Term
How did revealing his name come to haunt Odysseus?
Definition
The cyclops asked for Poseidon to curse Odysseus
Term
Why was the name Odysseus familiar to the cyclops?
Definition
A magician had foretold the the cyclops would lose his eye to someone named Odysseus.
Term
What curse did cyclops pray for Poseidon to bring to Odysseus?
Definition

For Odysseus to never see his home

OR

  1. it takes Odysseus a long time to get home,
  2. he loses all his companions,
  3. ge loses all his ships,
  4. and he returns to bitter things at home.

 

Term
Who wrote The Odyssey?
Definition
a blind poet named Homer
Term
When was the Odyssey written?
Definition
1,000-700 B.C. (The TB says 800 B.C.)
Term
Were was another one of Homer's works?
Definition
The Illiad
Term
What was the purpose of creating the Odyssey?
Definition
  1. To teach
    • history of the Greeks
    • values of Greek society
  2. To entertain and inspire
Term
What are the eight characteristics of a Greek epic poem?
Definition
  1. Long
  2. Relates how the hero became a hero
  3. Superhuman deeds of the hero
  4. Extended setting (more than one place)
  5. Determines the fate of nation and people
  6. Diving intervention
  7. Struggles with supernatural obstacles
  8. Fictitious
Term
What are the (eleven) characteristics of a Greek epic hero? What's the importance?
Definition
  1. Intelligence
  2. Eloquent, articulate
  3. Noble birth
  4. Physically Strong
  5. Brave
  6. Forceful Leader of men
  7. Loyal to family and homeland
  8. Respects gods and goddesses
  9. Respects self
  10. Shows proper hospitality
  11. Has human weakness or flaw (hamartia)

The hero embodies traits most admired by Greek society.

Term
What are the (seven) conventions of the epic poem?
Definition
  1. Invocation to the Muse
  2. In Media Res
  3. Theme
  4. Poetic Devices
  5. Formulas
  6. Epithets
  7. Epic or Homeric Simile
Term
Hamartia
Definition
a human weakness or flaw
Term
a human weakness or flaw
Definition
Hamartia
Term
an invocation
Definition
a prayer
Term
the Muse
Definition
the goddess of music and art
Term
In Media Res
Definition
the poem begins in the middle, retells the past, and then continues in the present
Term
What is the theme of the Odyssey?
Definition
There's no place like home.
Term
Epithet
Definition

it describes something (appositive phrase)

 

I am Odysseus, son of Laertes, King of Ithica!

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