Reference no: EM133951240
Discussion Questions
Please answer the questions in DETAIL and in your OWN WORDS!!!!!
1. Describe Telemachus and Penelope's interaction since he has returned from his mini-odyssey. Does it seem different? How? Why treat his mother this way?
2. What kind of man is Melanthius, the goatherder? What's his place in the plot? What does he represent?
3. How does Odysseus' react to Melanthius' insults and especially the kick in the back he receives from him? How is this different to past insults Odysseus has received? What does this show about his character?
4. Who is the first to recognize Odysseus in Ithaca despite his disguise? What does this character represent?
5. What does Eumaeus say about masters and servants? Are these words you might actually hear come out of a slave's mouth?
6. How does Athena want Odysseus to test the suitors? Does it matter in the end? Why bother then? What happens?
7. Antinous' speech against the beggar on pg. 366 - what's the obvious irony again? What does Eumaeus say to him, and what should we imply the real meaning of xenia is? How do the other suitors react to Antinous' attack against Odysseus with the stool? Does their admonishment of Antinous imply that they have some sense of decency?
8. What omen occurs when Penelope tells Eumaeus that she wants to talk to Od, see if he's heard anything of her husband?
9. Who is Arneus (Irus)? What point does his character serve? Who is his opposite?
10. Amphinomous, the leader of the moderately decent suitors, gives Odysseus bread and praises him after he fights Irus. What does Odysseus say to him? What is the result of his attempt to warn him? Why did Athena want to test the suitors then, if she has already made up her mind?
11. How does Penelope once again trick the suitors? How does Odysseus react?
What happens when Odysseus attempts to give the housemaids orders? Who is Melantho, how can you describe her? Who is her opposite?
12. How does Odysseus react to Melantho's insult? Seem a little harsh?
13. After the second stool tossing incident, the suitors break into chaos. What does Telemachus say? What does this show once again?
14. What has the presence of the beggar (Odysseus) done to the suitors' feasting/partying?
15. What layers of irony underlie the scene between Penelope and Odysseus?
16. How does Penelope test Odysseus? What's the key to his identity?
17. What does Odysseus find out about Penelope in speaking with her, testing her? Who betrayed her to the suitors?
18. What lie does Odysseus tell Penelope about his background? How does he again show his self- restraint? How does Penelope test this story? How does Odysseus differ in his treatment of Penelope than with other people he lies to?
19. Why does Odysseus want Eurycleia to wash his feet? Wouldn't she be the one most likely to recognize him? How does Eurycleia finally recognize Od?? How does he react?
20. What is Penelope's dream? What does it symbolize? Why can't she believe what it really means?
21. More omens are described. How are the omens changing in number and character?
22. Why is it appropriate that it is a feast day for Apollo?
23. How much of the action towards the end of the book is being driven by human actions alone? Isn't most of it seemingly willed by the gods?
24. The final climax of the book revolves around Odysseus' bow. Where did this bow come from? What does it symbolize?
25. Who comes the closest to stringing Odysseus' bow? Why doesn't he do it?
26. Why do the suitors object to Odysseus' request to see if he can string the bow? What story does Antinous use to try and dissuade him?