The Odyssey: Books 1-4 Name: _____________________________

1. Why can’t Odysseus return home? _______________________________________________

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2. Why does Athena want to help Odysseus? _________________________________________

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3. Who are the suitors? What are they doing in Odysseus’ house? ________________________

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4. In what way have the suitors affected Odysseus’ home? Explain your answer. ____________

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5. Who is Telemachus? Describe him. ______________________________________________

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6. What causes Telemachus to gain confidence to stand up to the suitors? __________________

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7. How did Penelope fool the suitors with her weaving? ________________________________

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8. What is Halitherses’ interpretation the two fighting eagles? ___________________________

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9. How does Athena assist Telemachus? ____________________________________________

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10. What does Telemachus plan to do?

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11. What is Nestor’s relationship to Odysseus?

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Name: __________________________
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12. How does Nestor finally get home?

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13. Who is Orestes and what is his relationship to Agamemnon and Aegisthus?
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14. In what fantastic way does Athena depart from Telemachus and Nestor?
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15. Who is Menelaus? Describe him.

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16. How did Odysseus sneak into Troy?

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17. How does Menelaus feel about the suitors?

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18. How does Menelaus break the curse and return home?
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19. In what way do the suitors plot to kill Telemachus?

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20. How does Penelope react to the news of Telemachus mission?

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Name: __________________________