“The Odyssey”

by Homer

Reading and Writing Activities

Tell the Story and Calypso, the Sweet Nymph

Pages 1037-1042

Hopefully you read all the assigned pages and completed the reading activities and questions.Pretend that you are Odysseus. During your long journey home you have become fearful that you will never return home to see you wife and son.You have decided to keep a journal of your adventures in the hope that someone will find it and give it to your family so they will know the true story of your experiences.

Tell the StoryPages 1037-1038

A. Summarizing – Read this invocation to the Muse aloud. What does Homer tell you about the hero and what is going to happen to him?

Tell the Story and Calypso, the Sweet Nymph

Pages 1037-1042

Write the first entry in your journal about the experience on Calypso’s island.Begin by making a list of the important events and details revealed in this section.Next, use the information to write 2-3 paragraphs from Odysseus’s point of view about the challenges faced in this section of text.Remember this is meant for his wife and son to eventually see.

Calypso, the Sweet NymphA. Analyzing Historical Context – What do

the characters of the gods reveal about the beliefs of the ancient Greeks?

B. Epic Heroes & Conflict – How does the natural beauty of Calypso’s island contrast with the internal conflict that Odysseus is experiencing?

C. Asking Questions – Calypso claims it is her idea to release Odysseus. Why do you think she does this?

D. Summarizing – How does Odysseus say no to Calypso’s offer of immortality and still not offend her?

Calypso, the Sweet NymphPages 1038-1042

1. Why does Calypso let Odysseus leave her island?

2. How does Odysseus answer Calypso’s questions about why he wants to return to his wife?

3. How does Poseidon interfere with Odysseus’s escape from the island?

4. Where does Odysseus arrive at the end of the scene?

Suggestions for the Journal1. Identify and Describe the

Setting2. Identify and Describe the

Characters3. Explain how “YOU” ended up

there4. Explain how “YOU” worked to

escape and/or avoid the dangers of the situation

5. Tell the thoughts and feelings “YOU” are having about different things (life, family, friends, the gods…)

I Am Laertes’ Son…A. Epic Heroes & Conflict – What does

Odysseus’s introduction of himself tell you about the traits that the Greeks admired in an epic hero?

B. Epic Heroes & Conflict – In this conflict Odysseus loses control over his men. What does this tell you about his abilities as a leader?

C. Analyzing Historical Context – Much of this story involves sea travel. What concerns might a seagoing nation have?

The Lotus EatersA. Asking Questions – Why does

Odysseus tie down the three men? Based on Odysseus’s actions, what can you infer about his attitude toward his crew?

The Lotus Eaters1. Explain the danger that the Lotus-

Eaters represent for Odysseus and his crew. What could they be in our society?

Graphic NovelPages 1048-1058

Put your name on the back of your paper.Identify the scene and page your

illustrations represent.Write a brief summary of the events seen

in the illustrations.Write the missing dialogue in the

“bubbles”.You may need to use noises and sounds

as well.We will put all of the pages in order once

we are finished.

The CyclopsA. Epic Heroes & Conflict (1048)–

Epic heroes need a mighty opponent to show how resourceful they can be. How does Homer make it clear that Odysseus faces a formidable opponent in the Cyclops?

B. Analyzing Historical Context (1048)– In this passage Odysseus informs the Cyclops that Zeus will punish the Cyclops if he injures or harms his guests. What can you infer about Greek society from this statement?

The CyclopsC. Asking Questions (1050)– Why

doesn’t Odysseus kill the Cyclops at this moment? What must Odysseus consider when devising an escape plan?

The CyclopsD. Paraphrasing (1051)– What

does Odysseus do with the stake? Explain in your own words.

E. Epic Heroes & Conflict (1051)– As the leader and hero, Odysseus could have simply chosen the men he wanted for the job. Why do you think he draws lots?

F. Epic Heroes & Conflict (1055)– What heroic character trait is Odysseus showing?

The CyclopsG. Asking Questions (1057) – Odysseus’s

love of boasting is one of his character traits. Is he wise for revealing his name to the Cyclops? Why or why not? Why do you think he reveals his name?

H. Epic Heroes & Conflict (1057)– Heroes and their opponents often have character flaws that can undo them. What character flaws have led to the Cyclops’s downfall?

I. Summarizing (1058)– How has Odysseus handled himself in this dangerous situation?

The CyclopsLiterary Response Question

Read the text carefully and note the words and actions of Odysseus as he faces the challenge of the Cyclops.

Has Odysseus behaved like an epic hero should

behave?What specific actions and

words support your judgment?

Use text evidence and details to support your thoughts and

ideas.

Is Odysseus an Epic Hero?1. Represents the values of the society2. Is an Exceptional Person3. Undertake difficult quests or

journeys to achieve something of tremendous value to themselves or their people

4. Experience many obstacles or challenges

• External Conflicts – created by forces of nature (or the gods)

• Internal Conflicts – they struggle to overcome their own feelings or fears

The Enchantress Circe&

The Land of the Dead

• Read the sections of text• Complete the annotation chart

as you read each page• Pay attention to the Literary

and Reading Focus Questions

The Land of the DeadA. Analyzing Historical Context (1061)–

Sacrificial offerings to the gods have been mentioned several times. Why might such a ritual have been important to the ancient Greeks?

B. Asking Questions (1062) – What is happening here? Where is Odysseus?

The Land of the DeadC. Summarizing (1064) – What does

the prophecy reveal about Odysseus’s destiny? How does the prophecy increase the feeling of suspense in the story?

The Enchantress Circe& The Land of the Dead

Literary Response QuestionRead the text carefully and note the words and actions of Odysseus as he faces the challenge

of Circe and the Land of the Dead.

Which character traits have helped Odysseus overcome the

challenges he has faced in this section of the text?

Use text evidence and details to support your thoughts and ideas.

The Land of the DeadTeiresias the Blind Prophet of Thebes

Make a list of ALL the pieces of information Odysseus learns from

Teiresias during his time in the underworld.

• Knows Odysseus wants a fair wind and the lights of home• Anguish lies ahead• Poseidon is angry • One narrow strait; denial of yourself and restraint of

shipmates *more on this soon• Land on Thrinakia – avoid the cattle• If not your ship and crew will be destroyed, and

Odysseus will travel alone for years• Odysseus will arrive home under a strange sail• His house will be filled with trouble; insolent men will be

eating his livestock and courting his wife• Odysseus will make them atone in blood• Odysseus will need to make a sacrifice to Poseidon – oar

in the ground, sacrifice a ram or other animal• Completing the sacrifice will grant Odysseus a “sea

death” once he is old and his country at peace

Place a next to any detail that is a positive for Odysseus

Place a next to any detail that is a negative for Odysseus

Let’s Play a Game1. Think about how this story could be

turned into a board game.2. Identify the characters we have seen so

far in the text. Make a list of each character and include a few details about each one.

3. Identify the settings of the story. List them in the order Odysseus visits them. Briefly describe each location.

4. Consider the challenges and obstacles that Odysseus has faced and how he has overcome them.

Let’s Play a Game5. Create two sections of the game board.

>Trojan War>The Lotus Eaters>Cyclops>Circe>Land of the Dead

>Calypso>Phaeacians>(Home-Ithaca)

6. Design and decorate your section of the game to reveal as much as possible about the story.

The Video

Both

The Text

People and Places in The Odyssey

1. Read the information on pages 1032-1033.

2. Create a chart to categorize the characters and places listed in the section.

3. Your chart should be divided into at least four different categories.

4. Be sure to include the description of each entry in your chart.

5. Make sure the chart is clear, easy to read, and useful as a tool to help you better comprehend the text.

Is the Odyssey an Epic Myth?1. A physically impressive hero of national or

historical importance2. A vast setting3. A quest or journey undertaken in search

of something of value4. The involvement of supernatural forces5. A basis in a specific culture or society6. Characters struggling against fate

Is the Odyssey an Epic Myth?

What are the elements of epic literature?

Which element(s) can be seen in the Odyssey?

Which element do you think has been the most important?

The Sirens; Scylla and CharybdisCirce’s Warnings and Advice

“The Sirens”• Locate and copy 5-7 words or

phrases Circe uses to describe the Sirens.

• Create an illustration of the Sirens based on the text details you selected.

• Explain what makes an encounter with the Sirens dangerous.

The Sirens; Scylla and CharybdisCirce’s Warnings and Advice

“The Sirens”• Make a list of 5-7 steps Circe tells

Odysseus to follow as they pass the Sirens.

• What heroic trait does Odysseus demonstrate through his actions with the Sirens?

• What character flaw does Odysseus demonstrate through his actions with the Sirens?

• What can you infer about the Ancient Greeks based on his actions?

The Sirens; Scylla and CharybdisCirce’s Warnings and Advice

“Scylla and Charybdis”• Locate and copy 5-7 descriptive

words or phrases Circe uses to describe Scylla.

• Create an illustration of Scylla based on the text details you selected.

• Summarize what will definitely happen if they pass Scylla.

The Sirens; Scylla and CharybdisCirce’s Warnings and Advice

“Scylla and Charybdis”• Locate and copy 5-7 words or

phrases Circe uses to describe Charybdis.

• Create an illustration of Charybdis based on the text details you selected.

• What advice does Circe offer Odysseus? How does she justify her advice?

The Sirens; Scylla and CharybdisLITERARY RESPONSE

Write a well-developed paragraph defending your claim.

Did Odysseus do the “right” thing in the way he handled the conflicts in

this section of the text?

Provide 3+ SPECIFIC DETAILS to support YOUR IDEAS.

Be sure to EXPLAIN, CONNECT, and ELABORATE!!!

The Sirens; Scylla and CharybdisA. Epic Heroes & Conflict (1065) –

From what you know about Odysseus, do you think he will try to avoid the conflict that lies ahead? EXPLAIN!!!

B. Paraphrasing (1066) – What dangers lie ahead? List and briefly describe each one.

The Sirens; Scylla and CharybdisLiterature Link*Read the poem “Siren’s Song” on

page 1067.1. Who is the speaker in the poem?2. What new idea about the Sirens

does the poem express?

The Sirens; Scylla and CharybdisC. Asking Questions (1068) – Why does

Odysseus put wax in his men’s ears?D. Epic Heroes & Conflict (1069) –

Think about the kind of hero Odysseus is in this story. What does he tell his men to reassure them? Why do you think he decides not to tell them everything he knows?

The Sirens; Scylla and CharybdisE. Summarizing (1071) – What has

happened? How have Odysseus and his men managed to escape?

• Read through the passage and locate examples of imagery. (language that appeals to our senses)

• Locate an example of personification.

(a nonhuman thing is described in human terms)

The Cattle of the Sun GodA. Paraphrasing (1072) – What

warning does Odysseus issue his men upon landing?

B. Paraphrasing (1073) – What is Eurylochus’s insidious plea?

*What does insidious mean?

The Cattle of the Sun GodC. Epic Heroes & Conflict (1074) –

Odysseus takes the credit when things go well. Now, when a disaster occurs, he blames the gods. What does this reveal about his character?

D. Summarizing (1074) – What exactly happened to cause the gods’ fury?

Part One: The WanderingsWrap-Up Activities

1. Questions/Activities 1-11 on page 10752. Writing Focus Question on page 1075

(one complete well-developed paragraph)3. Vocabulary Check 1-5 on page 1076