Book 13:

Ithaka at Last!

Characters

• no new characters

Settings

• Phaiákia
• Ithaka
• Mt. Olympos

Thought Questions

• Why would tripods and cauldrons be good gifts?
• Athena is credited with giving Athens the olive tree, which became one of her symbols. Can you see any significance to hiding the treasure at the olive tree?
• Why do you think Homer punishes the people of Skhería for helping the protagonist? What point do you think he is making?

Questions

1. How does Alkínoös suggest they pay for the gifts for Odysseus?
2. Does the ship sail at daybreak or at night?
3. What does Odysseus do once the journey begins?
4. What land features are described by Homer at the point where the ship lands?
5. Where do they leave Odysseus' treasure?
6. What does Poseidon do to the Phaiákian ship?
7. What does he do to Skhería?
8. What response does Alkínoös have to what happens?
9. What disguise does Athena take?
10. Why does Odysseus lie to her?
11. Where do they hide the treasure?
12. What disguise does Athena give Odysseus?

Book 14:

The Loyal Swineherd

Characters

• Eumaios

Settings

• Ithaka

Thought Questions

• How does Eumaios show an understanding of hospitality?
• Why does Odysseus see Eumaios as one of his trusted slaves?

Questions

1. Where does Eumaios live?
2. How does Odysseus save himself from the attack dogs?
3. How wealthy is Odysseus according to Eumaois?
4. Where does Odysseus say he is from?
5. Does Eumaios believe Odysseus when told that Odysseus is on the way home?
6. What does Eumaios feed Odysseus?
7. How does the existence of Mesaúlios show Eumaios is top-ranking slave in Odysseus' household?
8. Whose cloak does Odysseus say the "real" Odysseus gave him at Troy?
9. What makes up the bed Odysseus sleeps on?
10. Where does Eumaios sleep?

Book 15:

The Prince Sets Sail for Home

Characters

• Theoklymenos

Settings

• Lakedaimon
• Pylos
• Ithaka

Thought Questions

• How superstitious are the people we are studying?
• For the Akhaians, good omens come on the right, bad omens on the left. Note that difference as you read the book. How are the two omens described in this book?

Questions

1. Why does Telémakhos decide it is time to go home to Ithaka?
2. What gifts do the following give to Telémakhos? (a) Meneláos, (b) Helen, (c) Megapênthês
3. What omen does Helen intrepret?
4. Where does Telémakhos ask Peisístratos to take him in Pylos?
5. Why does Theoklymenos want to go with Telémakhos?
6. According to Eumaios, how did Odysseus' mother die?
7. Who is Princess Ktimené, mentioned in Eumaios' story?
8. Who was responsible for stealing Eumaois from his home and making him a slave?
9. Whose house does Telémakhos send Theoklymenos?
10. What omen does Theoklymenos intrepret?

Book 16:

Father and Son

Characters

• Amphínomos [Amphinomus]
• Medon

Settings

• Ithaka

Thought Questions

• Why does Odysseus not want Telémakhos to tell Penélopê he is back?

Questions

1. How do the guard dogs treat Telémakhos when he arrives at Eumaios' house?
2. Describe the relationship between Eumaios and Telémakhos.
3. What message is Eumaios sent off to deliver?
4. When Athena appears, what form does she take and what does she do?
5. Does Telémakhos immediately believe that Odysseus is who he says he is?
6. How is Odysseus' and Telémakhos' crying described?
7. How many suitors and servants does Telémakhos say there are?
8. What plan does Odysseus give Telémakhos regarding the arms and armor?
9. What proposal does Antínoös make regarding Telémakhos?
10. What is Amphínomos' viewpoint?
11. What does Penélopê do in response to the plotting?
12. Which suitor lies to Penélopê about his intent regarding her son?

Book 17:

Stranger at the Gates

Characters

• Melánthios [Melanthius]

Settings

• Ithaka

Thought Questions

• Look at Antinoos' speech regarding beggars. What does it say about the way an average Akhaian might view a beggar? Are the suitors the same?
• Odysseus is supposed to be the richest ruler around. Does his palace sound like anything to match the others we've visited?

Questions

1. What does Telémakhos tell Eumaios to do for Odysseus?
2. How does Telémakhos treat his mother when she comes to greet him?
3. How is Theoklymenos treated when he arrives at Telémakhos' palace?
4. Does Telémakhos tell his mother the truth of what he was told at Nestor's and Meneláos' in answer to her question about what he found out?
5. What prophecy does Theoklymenos make to Penélopê regarding Odysseus?
6. What stupid thing does Melánthios do as he passes Odysseus?
7. How is Melánthios treated by the suitors?
8. How does Odysseus say he recognizes Odysseus' palace?
9. Identify Argos and describe what happens with him.
10. What advise does Telémakhos tell Eumaois to give Odysseus?
11. What kind of gifts do the suitors give Odysseus?
12. What stupid thing does Antínoös do to Odysseus?
13. What is Odysseus curse of Antínoös?
14. Why does Penélopê want to meet the beggar?
15. What omen does Telémakhos send?

Book 18:

The Beggar-King of Ithaka

Characters

• Iros [Irus]
• Melántho

Settings

• Ithaka

Thought Questions

• What does Odysseus think of Amphínomos?
• What does the interchange between Penélopê and Eurynome suggest about the supposed place of women during this time period?

Questions

1. Where is Odysseus when he is confronted by Iros?
2. What does Antínoös propose the winner of the fight between Iros and Odysseus get?
3. What threat does Antínoös make to Iros?
4. What does Odysseus' one blow do?
5. What advice does Odysseus give Amphínomos?
6. Why does Penélopê decide to go down among the men?
7. What does Athena do while Penélopê sleeps?
8. At what point did Odysseus say Penélopê should marry according to her story about his parting?
9. What does Penélopê ask the suitors to do?
10. What do the suitors do after Penélopê goes to her room?
11. How does Melántho treat Odysseus?
12. Who throws a second stool at Odysseus?