1. The Odyssey
Revision Questions

2. Revision Questions Book 1
What do we learn about Odysseus at the Assembly of the Gods?
What does Athena do on behalf of Odysseus?
Describe her first encounter with Telemachus
Book 2
What happens at the assembly Telemachus holds – what does he say?
Discuss the involvement of the suitors at this assembly.
How does Penelope demonstrate her shrewdness?
Describe the role of Athena in this book.

3. Revision Questions Book 3
What does Telemachus find out about Odysseus at Pylos?
Why is Telemachus’ trip to Pylos important?
Summarise the death of Agamemnon.
Book 4
What does Telemachus learn about Odysseus during his visit to Sparta?
Describe the conduct of Helen and Menelaus.
What do the suitors plan to do at the end of the book?
How does the visit to Pylos and Sparta help Telemachus?

4. Revision Questions Book 5
Explain how Odysseus is released from Calypso?
How does Poseidon harass Odysseus?
What help does Ino and Athena give to Odysseus?
Book 7
Describe the meeting between Odysseus and the disguised Athena.
How does Odyseus show his craft in this book? (he manages to allay the suspicions of the king and queen on at least two occasions)

5. Revision Questions Book 8 Why does Odysseus break down a second time
What impression are you forming of both Odysseus and the Phaecians in this book?
Book 9
Discuss Odysseus’ foolishness, bravery and cunningness in this episode with the Cyclops.
Why is Poseidon angry with Odysseus – what are the consequences for him and his crew?

6. Revision Questions Book 10
Outline Odysseus’ encounter with the Laestrygonians.
How does Circe help Odysseus – what advise does she give him? (about getting to Hades and what he has to do when he gets there)
How would you describe Odysseus relationship with his men in this book?

7. Revision Questions Book 11
Describe how the underworld appears to Odysseus.
What does Tiresias tell Odysseus?
What does Odysseus find out from his mother?
What does Agamemnon tell Odysseus and what advice does he give him?
What tortures does Odysseus see in Hades?
Why was Odysseus trip to the underworld important?

8. Revision Questions Book 12
Outline Odysseus encounter with the Sirens, Scylla and Charybdis.
How does Odysseus manage to avert danger in these encounters?
*** You should be forming some assessment of Odysseus as an epic hero from your reading of books 9 – 12. ***

9. Revision Questions Book 13
Briefly describe Odysseus and Athena’s meeting.
Book 14
What details does Eumaeus give Odyssesus?
Book 16
Describe the plan Odysseus and Telemachos formulate in this book.
Book 21
How does Penelope keep the suitors busy?

10. Revision Questions Book 22
Briefly describe Odysseus’ battle with the suitors.
Do you think Melanthius and the maids deserve their punishment?
Book 23
What test does Penelope set Odysseus?
Book 24
How does the epic come to an end?