Book 8

Question 1

What is Book 8 called?

Answer 1

The Phaeacian games

Question 2

What did Athene do in the morning?

Answer 2

She went through the town disguised as a herald from Alcinous
She told them about the assembly for the stranger who ‘looks like an immortal God’

Question 3

What did Athene do to Odysseus to help him?

Answer 3

• Invested his head and shoulders with a divine beauty
• Made him seem taller and broader

Question 4

Why did Athene make Odysseus look better?

Answer 4

• So he’d inspire the Phaeacian people with not only affection, but with fear and respect, and emerge successfully from any tests he’s put through

Question 5

What did Alcinous ask for to help Odysseus’ journey home?

Answer 5

A black ship
52 young oarsmen

Question 6

What did Alcinous do after the oarsmen were acquired?

Answer 6

Sacrificed a dozen sheep, eight boars and two oxen, to make a feast for the spectators

Question 7

Who is the Phaeacian bard?

Answer 7

Demodocus
- The Muse loved him above all others, but had robbed him of his eyes when granting him the gift of song

Question 8

What was Demodocus’ first song?

Answer 8

The Quarrel of Odysseus and Achilles
- Agamemnon was happy to see this happy, as it completed a prophecy that when the two noblest Greeks had argued, he’d capture Troy

Question 9

How did Odysseus react to Demodocus’ first song?

Answer 9

He drew his cloak over his head and hid his face as he cried

Question 10

What did Alcinous say after he noticed Odysseus crying?

Answer 10

He encouraged everyone to go outside and try their skills at sports, to show Odysseus that no one can beat the Phaeacians at boxing, wrestling, running and jumping

Question 11

Who first asked Odysseus to take part?

Answer 11

Laodamas
- He says that Odysseus is well built and not too old

Question 12

What did Laodamas first say to Odysseus?

Answer 12

He asked Odysseus to take part if he’s good at spot
He should cast his cares aside as soon he’ll be homewards bound

Question 13

How did Odysseus first respond to Laodamas?

Answer 13

He said he was too sick at heart to play games

Question 14

Who responded to Odysseus’ rejection to play games?

Answer 14

Euryalus

Question 15

What did Euryalus say to Odysseus?

Answer 15

He says that he shouldn’t have taken Odysseus for an athlete, as he’s more like a skipper of a merchant crew
Anyone can see Odysseus isn’t an athlete

Question 16

How does Odysseus respond to Euryalus?

Answer 16

He says that the Gods obviously dont grace men equally with good looks, brains, and eloquence

he says Euryalus is short in brains, and that he is an athlete

Question 17

What does Odysseus do after insulting Euryalus?

Answer 17

Picked up the biggest discus, greater than any the Phaeacians usually used, and threw it farther than any of the Phaeacians