Books 7-8 Flashcards
How does Athene help Odysseus in Book 7?
She surrounds him in a mist to hide him from the xenophobic Phaeacians and leads him to the palace as a little girl.
Who does Athene tell Odysseus to win the sympathies of in Book 7 and why?
Arete because her judgement holds a lot of weight in Phaecia
What does Alcinous think Odysseus is at first?
A god
Why does Arete become suspicious and ask Odysseus questions?
She recognises the clothes he is wearing as clothes from her household
What does Alcinous offer Odysseus in Book 7?
His daughters’ hand in marriage
What does Alcinous do the next morning (start of book 8)?
Calls an assembly to propose that a ship is provided for his visitor and invites everyone for a feast and celebration in honour of Odysseus
Why does Odysseus cry in Book 8?
The blind bard Demodocus sings about the quarrel between Odysseus and Achilles
Why does Odysseus become angry at the Phaeacian games in Book 8?
He refuses to take part in discus due to exhaustion and is taunted by Broadsea, who says he must be a poor athlete
What does Odysseus do in the discus game?
He throws the discus further than anyone, then boasts that he could defeat anyone but Alcinous, his host
What story does Demodocus tell at the start of Book 8?
The story of Aphrodite cheating on Hephaestus with Ares
What gifts are given to Odysseus in Book 8?
Broadsea gives Odysseus a sword to apologize for his taunts.
Arete gives him fine clothes.
What is the last story told by Demodocus in Book 8?
The story of the Trojan Horse
Why does Odysseus finally reveal his identity at the end of Book 8?
He cries at the story of the Trojan Horse and Acinous urges him to reveal his identity
Who are the Phaeacian’s believed to be descended from?
Poseidon