STUDY QUESTIONS: ODYSSEY 19-24 (THE ESSENTIAL HOMER)
How does this artistic depiction of the anagnorisis of Odysseus match the text of the Odyssey? -- or not?
ODYSSEY 19
0. How does Odysseus reveal his genius for clever plotting and guile in this book? Cite specifics.
1. How does Penelope reveal her own "metis" ("cunning intelligence")?
2. What does the maid Melantho have in common with the similarly-named Melanthius? (compare19.73ff to 17.229ff).
3. Do you think that Penelope recognizes the beggar as her husband? Why or why not? (Cite text for your reasons)
4. What details associate Odysseus with his maternal grandfather?
5. How does Eurycleia recognize Odysseus? What is Odysseus' reaction? How appropriate is his reaction?
6. What was Penelope's dream? What is significant about the 'gate of ivory'?
ODYSSEY 21
7. In what way does the epic associate Odysseus' bow with xenia?
8. Why did Eumaeus and the cowherd cry as they set out the bow and axes before the Suitors?
9. What is "out of character" about Telemachus' public reaction to Penelope's announcement of the Bow Competition? Why does he encourage the Suitors to take part?
10. How does Odysseus reveal his identity to the cowherd and swineherd? Why does he do so at the moment he does? What are his instructions to these faithful servants?
11. What reason does the disguised Odysseus give for wanting to try to string the bow? What is Antinous' reaction? Why does Antinous tell the story about the wine-crazed centaurs?
12. What is Eurymachus afraid of? How does Penelope put him in his place?
13. In this book, Odysseus raises (133) and lowers (460) his brows. What do these body movements mean in their contexts?
ODYSSEY 22
This is a vase painting of Odysseus, Telemachus, and Eumaeus fighting against the suitors in the hall of Odysseus. Which figures are Odysseus, his son, and faithful slave?
14. In what ways does this book recall the Iliad? Cite some specifics.
15. Why does Odysseus invoke Apollo? (7)
16. What three crimes of the Suitors does Odysseus mention when he begins the slaughter (lines 38-44)?
17. How did Athena help Odysseus and Telemachus in their battle against the suitors?
18. Which suppliants does Odysseus spare in the battle in the hall, and why? Which suppliants are not spared? Why do you think these are not spared?
19. Find two similes and comment on their appropriateness.
20. What role does Eurycleia play in the bloody battle in the hall and its aftermath?
ODYSSEY 23
21. What is Penelope's first reaction to Eurycleia's announcement that Odysseus really was home? (25ff)
22. What is Penelope's second reaction to the notion that Odysseus has come home and killed the suitors? (62ff) What does this tell us about her character?
23. What does Homer imply about Penelope's true beliefs about the identity of the man who killed the suitors? ((89ff)
24. Why do you think that Odysseus smiles when Penelope says "There are secrets between us no one else knows"? (line 115)
25. How is music used to deceive?
26. Why is the simile at 240ff so apt?
27. Why is the night so long in this book? What happens during this long night?
ODYSSEY 24
28. What kind of relationship do Agamemnon and Achilles have in Hades? How does this compare or contrast with their relationship in the Iliad? How do you account for any differences?
29. The ghost of the suitor Amphimedon seems to think that Odysseus and Penelope plotted together to kill the suitors (126-192). What alternate version of the story might this imply?
30. How does Odysseus identify himself to Laertes?
31. How does Odysseus treat his father in this book? Why do you think that Odysseus treats his own father thus?
32. What do we learn about the funeral and burial of Achilles in this book?
33. How does Athena play an important role in resolving the conflict on Ithaca? How does this summarize her role in the epic?