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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. What does Menelaus give to Telemachus when Telemachus politely refuses his other gifts?

2. Once Ino gives Odysseus help to survive Poseidon assault on the open sea, how many more days does Odysseus drift until he sees land?

3. In what state do the Nausicaa's women, who are playing a game while waiting for the clothes to dry, find the sheltering Odysseus?

4. Helen and Menelaus tell tales of Odysseus' exploits in Troy. What story does Menelaus tell?

5. What does Aeolus give Odysseus in Book 10?

Short Essay Questions

1. Describe Poseidon's attack on Odysseus in Book 5.

2. Why is Eurymachus' offer of recompense not enough for Odysseus?

3. Which men support Telemachus at the assembly in Book 2? Why do they support him, and how are they treated by the others?

4. Even though Poseidon acknowledges Odysseus's fate, he continues to punish him. Why?

5. Why does Homer begin the last book in the halls of the dead?

6. What does Nestor tell Telemachus of Odysseus during Telemachus' visit in Book 3?

7. In Book 20, why does Athene make the suitors laugh uncontrollably?

8. What causes Odysseus' crew to open Aeolus' gift?

9. What are the suitors' fears now that Telemachus has escaped their plot in Book 16?

10. Why is Poseidon still upset with Odysseus in Book 13? Why does he now seek vengeance against the Phaecians? What can they do?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Most literary works have an antagonist. Is there one in The Odyssey? Explain your answer using the text.

Essay Topic 2

Homer repeats that Zeus is the friend and patron of strangers and supplicants. Odysseus finds himself at the mercy of others with mixed success. One end of his trip he is cursed for defending himself when mercy isn't shown, and the other end of his trip he is sent home like a god. Why doesn't Zeus punish the cyclops, or why is Odysseus allowed to be punished?

Essay Topic 3

The immortals personify the natural elements on Earth. As nature, they are omnipresent and humans are subject to their whims and their will. In many ways, this is the story of man vs. nature. Discuss various examples of how the gods through nature challenge Odysseus, and how he is able to overcome nature.

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