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Study Guide Answers
1. Be able to identify each of the following: Homer Venus Helen Ulysses Prince Paris King Menelaus
Homer: blind Greek poet/ author of The Odyssey Venus: goddess of love and beauty who pledges protection to Paris Helen: unhappy Queen of Sparta/ runs away to Troy with Paris Ulysses: King of Ithaca and warrior who goes to fight in the Trojan War PrHomer: blind Greek poet/ author of The Odyssey Venus: goddess of love and beauty who pledges protection to Paris Helen: unhappy Queen of Sparta/ runs away to Troy with Paris Ulysses: King of It
2. What are the characteristics of a "hero"?
Various answers are possible. ( strong, courageous, extraordinary, and etc.)
3. How did the Trojan Horse end the war?
The Greeks hid inside the gigantic horse and once it was brought inside the city walls, they vanquished Troy.
4. Was King Menelaus justified in starting the war against Troy? Why or why not?
Various answers are possible. Opinions should be backed up with reasons.
5. What were some characteristics of Ulysses that made him a hero?
He was a strong leader and was competent at formulating successful plans.
6. Compare Prince Paris and Ulysses.
comparison of the two men - list character traits
7. Discuss the context of each of the following phrases: a. "treated like an object" b. "while I was lured away" c. "there he found misery and devastation"
a. "treated like an object": Helen says that she was treated this way in Sparta and pleads with the King of Troy not to send her back. b. "while I was lured away": Menelaus tells the other kings that Paris stole his treasures and his wife while he was lured away. c. "there he found misery and devastation": This is what Ulysses saw when he disguised himself and slipped into the city of Troy to see what conditions were like.
8. Vocabulary--define each of the following words in italics: King Menelaus was greedy and conceited.
conceited: to have an excessively high opinion of oneself
9. Achilles dragged the body of Hector with boastful pleasure.
boastful: full of praise for oneself
10. The Trojans saw a giant, wooden replica of a horse.
replica: a copy, exact in all details
11. King Priam venerated Helen because he considered her to be a treasure.
venerated: regarded with reverential respect, adored, worshiped
12. The army tried in vain to conquer the city of Troy.
in vain: futile, unsuccessful
13. Achilles stood at the gates of Troy to taunt the Trojans.
taunt: to challenge in a mocking manner, to jeer at
14. How do Ulysses and his men end up on the island of the Cyclops?
One night, a thick fog surrounds the ship. Nothing can be seen. The ship crashes into the rocks of an unknown island.
15. How do Ulysses and his men end up on the island of the Cyclops?
One night, a thick fog surrounds the ship. Nothing can be seen. The ship crashes into the rocks of an unknown island.
16. What are Ulysses and his men looking for when they discover the Cyclops?
They are looking for provisions.
17. Describe Polyphemus. In what ways is he different from Ulysses and the men?
Polyphemus is a hideous giant, with one eye in the middle of his forehead. He likes to eat human flesh.
18. Why is Polyphemus so angry?
Ulysses and his men had trespassed on Polyphemus's land and had attempted to steal his food.
19. In what ways does Ulysses trick Polyphemus?
Ulysses lets Polyphemus bind him and he pretends to accept his fate. He convinces the giant that he has with him the best wine in the world. Polyphemus drinks the wine and falls asleep.
20. Why do you think Ulysses and his men decide to blind Polyphemus rather than try some other plan?
If blinded, the giant would have difficulty catching Ulysses and his men.
21. What specific things does Ulysses do to demonstrate leadership?
Ulysses maintains his composure during the time of crisis and conceives a workable plan.
22. How do you feel about Polyphemus? What does he do to try to avenge himself?
He thrashes about trying to grab the men, and then he calls out for his brothers.
23. What is the significance of the name, "No Man"?
Ulysses invents this name for himself, and when Polyphemus is asked who blinded him, he answers, "No man did it!" In this way, Ulysses is not identified and it sounds as if a creature other than a human being blinded the giant. His brothers think that he's playing a practical joke, and they go away.
24. Discuss the characteristics of a myth.
discussion
25. Whom, in modern times, do you consider to be a hero? Compare and contrast that person with Ulysses.
various responses
26. Why does King Aeolus warn Ulysses about the contents of the jar?
He must tell no one that the jar contains all of the storms that would prevent Ulysses and his men from getting back to Ithaca. The king wants Ulysses to realize that he must guard the jar.
27. Do you think Ulysses should have told his men about the jar?
Answers may vary. Ulysses had agreed not to tell, but his men's curiosity gets the better of them.
28. How does Mercury help Ulysses?
Mercury tells Ulysses about the fate of his men. He gives Ulysses a flower that has protective powers.
29. Why doesn't Ulysses believe Circe when she says that she is not his enemy?
She has already tried to turn him into a swine with her evil potion. His men are already swine.
30. How does Circe help Ulysses?
She turns the men back into human beings again, and she warns them about the Sirens. Circe then tells Ulysses how to survive.
31. In what different ways do Ulysses's crew members show their foolishness?
They kill some sheep and oxen even though Ulysses had warned them not to.
32. Why is Ulysses the only one who does not perish?
Ulysses was the only one who had not eaten any of the meat on the island.
33. Compare Ulysses to his crew.
comparison of crew and Ulysses: many possible observations
34. Why does Ulysses have himself tied to the mast and have his crew put wax in their ears as they pass the Land of the Sirens?
He wants to protect his crew and himself from the seductive Sirens who destroy men.
35. Vocabulary--The following phrases have been taken from the story. Define the words in italics and discuss how the words are used. "I saw an immense palace. . ."
immense: very great in size or degree
36. "Circe is clever! This sorceress can trick."
sorceress: one who uses magic or witchcraft
37. "I share not your festivities as long as my men are swine in your pens."
swine: stout, short-legged mammal with hooves, bristly skin, and a long, flexible snout
38. "Cast out all thoughts of enmity that have gone between us."
enmity: mutual hatred, hostility, antagonism
39. "Divine music struck my ears. . ."
divine: supremely good, superb, heavenly
40. "We must not arouse the wrath of the gods."
wrath: violent anger, rage
41. beckon: to summon or signal, especially with a nod or a gesture
beckon: to summon or signal, especially with a nod or a gesture
42. Why does Ulysses return to his home disguised as a beggar?
He wants to slip into Ithaca without being noticed.
43. In what ways are Ulysses and Telemachus alike?
answers will vary - students compare the two men
44. What is Ulysses's plan for settling the disputes in Ithaca?
All of the weapons in the palace will be hidden - except one for Ulysses and one for Telemachus. Ulysses will come to the palace disguised as a beggar, so as not to be recognized.
45. How does Penelope show great courage and love?
She defends the "beggar" against the cruelty of the suitors.
46. How does Minerva help Penelope?
Minerva comes to her in a dream and tells her to have the suitors bend the "great bow" and to fly an arrow through twelve crossed axes, a feat that only Ulysses can perform, and to announce that only he who can do it will rule with her.
47. Does the ending of the story surprise you? Why?
various answers - based on personal opinion
48. Vocabulary--give a synonym for each of the words in italics. 7. furious seas
furious: fierce, frantic, frenzied, angry, raging, turbulent
49. laden with treasures
laden: loaded, burdened, filled
50. a host of suitors
suitors: admirers, wooers, lovers, pleaders
51. a unique plan
unique: matchless, odd, original, bizarre, exceptional, rare, special, uncommon
52. settle the turmoil
turmoil: commotion, tumult, havoc, unrest, uproar
53. tawdry old rags
tawdry: flashy, cheap, garish, gaudy, showy, loud, tasteless, trashy, vulgar
54. you have plundered my home
plundered: pillaged, marauded, depredated, ravaged, ransacked, looted
55. quickly and deftly the arrow flew
deftly: adroitly, agilely, dexterously, expertly, aptly, handily, skillfully
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Study Guide Answers