“Odyssey” Notes—
Book V:
Which character is known as “the Wayfinder”?
What does he order Calypso to do?
What is the name of Odysseus’ son?
What does Calypso say about relationships between immortal beings and mortal beings?
Why does Calypso call Odysseus “a dog”? What has Odysseus told Calypso to do? She protests, adding that “Fairness is all I think of. There are hearts made of cold iron—but my heart is kind.”
Odysseus is the son of .
Who is Calypso talking about when Calypso asks, “Can I be less desirable than she is? / Less interesting? Less beautiful? Can mortals / compare with goddesses in grace and form?” (220-222).
How does Odysseus answer the question?
Besides the materials necessary for building a raft, what does Calypso give him? Hint: it’s a particular garment.
Which god has it in for Odysseus? Why? What did Odysseus do to offend that god?
What eventually happens to the garment that Kalypso has given Odysseus?
What is the name of Kadmos’ daughter and what does she give to Odysseus?
What must Odysseus eventually do with this garment?
What is the name of the island upon which Odysseus lands?
What is the name of the people who live here?
Book VIII
Who is Alkínoös?
What story does the harper sing about?
What is the name of the bard that makes Odysseus cry?
What is the bard’s physical abnormality?
What is the name of the king’s favorite son?
Which of the Phaiákians insults Odysseus?
In order to lighten things up a little, the minstrel sings about Aphrodite, Ares, and Aphrodites’s cuckolded husband, also known as .
Who is Pontónoös?
During the Trojan war, Odysseus had fought with Akhilleus. Also note, “how one time they contended at the godfeast/ raging, and the marshall, Agamemnon, / felt inward joy over his captains’ quarrel; / for such had been foretold him by Apollo / at Pytho—hallowed height—when the Akhaian / crossed that portal of a rock to ask a sign—“ (81-86).
The young man challenge Odysseus to compete in what events?
What is the first of the athletic contests?
What is the name of the island on which Odysseus was exiled (with Kalypso) for seven years?
Book IX
Which army, “trained to fight on horseback,” were offended when Odysseus’ men got drunk and butchered their sheep and cattle? In response, they “unfleshed” Odysseus’ men.
What are the giant “louts” whose land is “unplanted and untilled, a wilderness, who live without a law to bless them”?
Which character / host does not adhere to the rules of the guest-host relationship? What is his name?
How does Odysseus trick this character? What does he do to him?
How is Odysseus able to (along with the remaining men) escape this giant?
What name does Odysseus give to this dangerous character?
What happens when Odysseus reveals his identity?
