Book 5 - Calypso Flashcards
EXAM QUESTION:
1. Read the following passage from ‘The Odyssey’ and answer all the questions that follow.
(Hermes travels to the island of Calypso)
‘Zeus had spoken. His messenger [Hermes], the Giant-killer obeyed. Immediately he bound on his feet the lovely sandals of untarnishable gold that carried him with the speed of the wind over the water or the boundless earth; and he picked up the wand which he can use to cast a spell upon men’s eyes or waken them from sleep. With this wand in his hand, the mighty Giant-killer made his flight. From the upper air he dropped to the Pierian range, and from there he swooped down on the sea, and skimmed the waves like a sea-gull drenching the feathers of its wings as it pursues the fish down fearsome troughs of the unharvested deep.
a) How does Homer make this description of Hermes and his journey vivid and interesting? Give reasons for your views and support them with details from the passage.
- Immediacy of Hermes’ departure shows the power of Zeus.
- Magical powers of Hermes’ wand show his power.
- Description of the ‘lovely sandals’ and ‘untarnishable gold’ shows the splendor of Hermes.
- Simile of the gull shows the low flight of Hermes and the speed of Hermes.
- Geographical reference helps put Hermes’ flight into the real world.
- Epithets show the power of Hermes.
- Answers should focus mainly on literary techniques and should not simply quote lines from the passage without analysis.
- References to the simile should make a precise comparison.
- Comments such as “the simile makes it more vivid” or “helps us to imagine the scene” are too weak.
- Similarly, vague references to “detailed description” would not in itself be sound analysis. References to punctuation are irrelevant.
EXAM QUESTION:
1. Read the following passage from ‘The Odyssey’ and answer all the questions that follow.
(Hermes travels to the island of Calypso)
‘Zeus had spoken. His messenger [Hermes], the Giant-killer obeyed. Immediately he bound on his feet the lovely sandals of untarnishable gold that carried him with the speed of the wind over the water or the boundless earth; and he picked up the wand which he can use to cast a spell upon men’s eyes or waken them from sleep. With this wand in his hand, the mighty Giant-killer made his flight. From the upper air he dropped to the Pierian range, and from there he swooped down on the sea, and skimmed the waves like a sea-gull drenching the feathers of its wings as it pursues the fish down fearsome troughs of the unharvested deep.
b) What had Athene and Zeus been saying about Odysseus and his journey back before this passage?
-Athene said that none of Odysseus’ people give
him a thought anymore.
-He was languishing on Calypso’s island and being kept captive.
-She said he cannot get home as he has no ship or crew.
-Zeus said this was all Athene’s doing so he could return home and get revenge.
-Hermes was to take a message to Calypso.
-Odysseus was to set off home, but with no help from gods or men.
-He said he was to build his own raft and after 20 days reach the land of the Phaeacians.
-They will take him home and give him bronze, gold
and woven materials.
- Credit any mention of Hermes being sent.
- Do not credit discussion of what has been happening on the island unless it is part of the discussion.
EXAM QUESTION:
1. Read the following passage from ‘The Odyssey’ and answer all the questions that follow.
(Hermes travels to the island of Calypso)
‘Zeus had spoken. His messenger [Hermes], the Giant-killer obeyed. Immediately he bound on his feet the lovely sandals of untarnishable gold that carried him with the speed of the wind over the water or the boundless earth; and he picked up the wand which he can use to cast a spell upon men’s eyes or waken them from sleep. With this wand in his hand, the mighty Giant-killer made his flight. From the upper air he dropped to the Pierian range, and from there he swooped down on the sea, and skimmed the waves like a sea-gull drenching the feathers of its wings as it pursues the fish down fearsome troughs of the unharvested deep.
c) Explain why the role of Zeus is important in ‘The Odyssey’.
- He is the overseer of justice (in sending the storm in book 12).
- He is the god responsible for xenia which is essential for Odysseus getting home.
- To be assisted by Zeus at times adds to the idea of Odysseus being a hero.
- His rule is absolute (as Hermes says at 5.112–115.)
- Odysseus feels Zeus is punishing him early in book 9 with the Cicones and the storm.
- He agrees to Odysseus’ departure from Ogygia.
-For full marks candidates should show an understanding of what Zeus contributes to the text, and not
merely list what he does.
-Balanced answer not necessary for full marks.
-Allow other options (eg He is perhaps the most neutral of the gods and the most fair).
EXAM QUESTION:
1. Read the following passage from ‘The Odyssey’ and answer all on the questions that follow.
(Calypso helps Odysseus on his way)
‘The goddess came and stood beside him now. ‘My unhappy friend,’ she said, ‘don’t go on grieving, don’t waste any more of your life on this island. For I am ready with all my heart to help you leave it. Come now, fell some tall trees with an axe, make a wide raft and fit half-decks on top so that it can carry you across the misty seas. I will stock it myself with bread and water and red wine to your liking, so that you need be in no fear of starvation; I’ll give you clothing too, and send you a following wind, so that you may reach your country safe and sound, if it please the gods of the broad sky, who have more power to plan and ordain than I have.’
a) What impression do you get of Calypso from this passage? Give reasons for your views and support them with details from the passage.
Calypso appears to be generous:
-she gives Odysseus tools to build a raft so that he can leave ‘I am ready with all my heart to help you leave’;
-she offers him food and wine for the voyage, clothes and a following
wind.
She appears to be compassionate:
-‘my unhappy friend…don’t waste any more of your life…’.
She appears to be selfless:
-encouraging him to go even though she loves him.
She disparages herself:
- ‘gods…who have more power to plan and to ordain than I have’;
- perhaps a bitter reference to Zeus’ orders.
EXAM QUESTION:
1. Read the following passage from ‘The Odyssey’ and answer all on the questions that follow.
(Calypso helps Odysseus on his way)
‘The goddess came and stood beside him now. ‘My unhappy friend,’ she said, ‘don’t go on grieving, don’t waste any more of your life on this island. For I am ready with all my heart to help you leave it. Come now, fell some tall trees with an axe, make a wide raft and fit half-decks on top so that it can carry you across the misty seas. I will stock it myself with bread and water and red wine to your liking, so that you need be in no fear of starvation; I’ll give you clothing too, and send you a following wind, so that you may reach your country safe and sound, if it please the gods of the broad sky, who have more power to plan and ordain than I have.’
b) Describe what happens on Odysseus’ journey from Calypso’s island to the land of the Phaeacians.
Odysseus’ voyage:
- Odysseus sails for seventeen days with no trouble;
- then Poseidon catches sight of him and sends a storm;
- that wrecks his raft;
- Odysseus thinks he will drown;
- he’s helped by Ino/Leucothoe/white goddess (detail rewarded);
- he swims towards land;
- but has trouble finding a place to get ashore;
- until he reaches a river mouth;
- he prays to the river to allow him to get to land;
- the river holds back its current;
- so Odysseus can swim and then stumble ashore;
- he goes to sleep under some olive bushes;
- or other details from the text.
EXAM QUESTION:
1. Read the following passage from ‘The Odyssey’ and answer all on the questions that follow.
(Calypso helps Odysseus on his way)
‘The goddess came and stood beside him now. ‘My unhappy friend,’ she said, ‘don’t go on grieving, don’t waste any more of your life on this island. For I am ready with all my heart to help you leave it. Come now, fell some tall trees with an axe, make a wide raft and fit half-decks on top so that it can carry you across the misty seas. I will stock it myself with bread and water and red wine to your liking, so that you need be in no fear of starvation; I’ll give you clothing too, and send you a following wind, so that you may reach your country safe and sound, if it please the gods of the broad sky, who have more power to plan and ordain than I have.’
c) Explain why Calypso decided to help Odysseus leave her island.
Explanation of Odysseus’ release may focus on the following points:
- the gods assemble on Olympus;
- Athene is concerned about Odysseus and therefore asks Zeus to take an interest;
- Zeus intends that Odysseus should get back home and so orders Hermes to travel to Calypso’s home to tell her to release Odysseus;
- Calypso, though resentful, has to agree to Zeus’ command as all other immortals must obey Zeus’ instructions.
