Wacky Wordsmith

Name: Bernell Go________________________

Text: The Odyssey______________________
Date: August 15, 2010___________________
Books: 9-12_____________________________

Wacky Wordsmith: As the author of the two most famous epics in ancient Greek literature, Homer
helped define the Western World's vocabulary landscape. Your task is to look for at least TEN
WONDER WORDS, important words or phrases in the text which you deem crucial to the text. If
you find words that are puzzling or unfamiliar, list them down in the second table, “NEW TO MY
VOCABULARY”. Record the meaning that you came up with and indicate its significance. Include
words that you consider significant or crucial to the text. When your circle meets, discuss the words,
the reason(s) why you think they are Wonder Words, and how you came up with their meaning. Ask
them to suggest additional Wonder Words to your list.

“WONDER WORDS” Book # Definition and Significance

Black thoughts 9 Black thoughts would signify the evil desires being
plotted in one’s mind
Down to Hades 9 This means that someone died and his soul is now
going to the underworld
no twenty-two of the best four-
wheeled wagons could have
9 This means that the thing being referred to was
taken that weight off the ground very heavy that not even that much wagons can
and carried it
carry it
Inward heart 10 The soft side or the sensitive part of the members
were touched so they were now lamenting
Deep-eddying ocean 10 The ocean was described as quite calm in a way
Conspicuous 10 The one that is most noticeable, but in this case, it
referred to the best one of the bunch
Bulwark 11 Odysseus was being compared to a bulwark or a
defensive wall
Swift-footed 11 This means that the one being referred to was fast
and could travel very quickly
Sweet-stepping 11 This word describes Hebe as a lovely wife and that
she is very caring and happy
Sally 12 Sally means an attack or besieging an enemy. In
this line, it showed that Skylla will not be merciful
in dealing with them
 “NEW TO MY Book # Definition and Significance
VOCABULARY”
Hawser 9 a thick rope or cable for mooring or towing a
ship.
Promontories 9 a point of high land that juts out into a large
body of water; a headland
Thrall 10 the state of being in someone's power or having
great power over someone
Glen 10 a narrow valley.
Compulsion 10 the action or state of forcing or being forced to
do something; constraint
Flitters 11 move quickly in an apparently random or
purposeless manner
Greave 11 a piece of armor used to protect the skin
Implore 11 beg someone earnestly or desperately to do
something
all definition were taken from the mac dictionary