Odyssey Quest 14-24

Question 0

Which character is often referred to with the epithet “the loyal swineherd”?

Answer 0

Eumaeus

Question 1

What does Athena warn Telemachus about in Book 14?

Answer 1

The suitors are hiding and setting a trap for Telemachus who makes a plan to get past them

Question 2

Which character does Athena call “irreproachable” and “wise” in Book 14?

Answer 2

Penelope

Question 3

Who is repeatedly called by the epithet “lord of the war cry” in Book 14?

Answer 3

Menelaus

Question 4

Before leaving Sparta, Telemachus sees an omen: an eagle swoops down and catches a ______.

Answer 4

Dove

Question 5

Who interprets the sign of the eagle and goose? Helen interprets the omen to mean that Odysseus will _____.

Answer 5

Kill the suitors

Question 6

Just before he sails for Ithaca, Telemachus takes aboard a passenger, the exiled prophet ____.

Answer 6

Theoclymenus

Question 7

What do we find out about Eumaeus’ past?

Answer 7

He used to be a rich mans son, then he was sold into slavery

Question 8

When Telemachus returns to Ithaca he immediately goes to _______.

Answer 8

The Land of Destroy

Question 9

Telemachus orders Eumaeus to tell only ______ that he has arrived home.

Answer 9

Penelope

Question 10

Upon Athena’s urging, Odysseus reveals his true identity only to _________ and none else.

Answer 10

Telemachus

Question 11

____, angry that Telemachus escaped ambush, plots how to kill him before he returns home.

Answer 11

Antonius

Question 12

Just before he sails for Ithaca, Telemachus takes aboard a passenger, the exiled prophet ____.

Answer 12

Theoclymenus

Question 13

Theoclymenus predicts in Book 17 that ____. Penelope is skeptical.

Answer 13

Odysseus is in Troy alive

Question 14

What is the first creature to recognize Odysseus when he returns to the palace?

Answer 14

His dog, Argos (who dies shortly after)

Question 15

Who is the first to throw a stool at Odysseus?

Answer 15

Antonius

Question 16

What choice does Odysseus make during his fight with Irus that indicates he has metis?

Answer 16

To hit him in the jaw instead of killing him (self control)

Question 17

What clever thing does Penelope do in Book 18 that makes Odysseus proud?

Answer 17

Tricks the suitors
(she then tricks them into bringing her gifts by claiming that any suitor worth his salt would try to win her hand by giving things to her instead of taking what’s rightfully hers)

Question 18

What is the name of the maid who mocks Odysseus in Book 18?

Answer 18

Melantho

doesn’t know Odysseus is the old man in disguise

Question 19

Who does Odysseus argue with in Book 18?

Answer 19

Eurymachus

Question 20

Who does Odysseus test the most in Book 19?

Answer 20

Penelope

Question 21

What test does Penelope plan to give the suitors?

Answer 21

If they can string Odysseus’ bow (requires strength) and shoot an arrow through 12 axes (requires skill)

Question 22

How does Eurycleia figure out who Odysseus is?

Answer 22

She sees the scar on his foot

Question 23

What does Penelope call Troy?

Answer 23

The Land of Destroy

Question 24

As the suitors plot Telemachus’ death in book 20, what omen do they see?

Answer 24

Amphinomus convinces them to call it off when a portent of doom appears in the form of an eagle carrying a dove in its talons.

Question 25

What does the prophet Theoclymenus say regarding the suitors?

Answer 25

They will meet a terrible fate (death?)

Question 26

To which servants does Odysseus reveal his true identity in Book 22?

Answer 26

The cowherd and swine herd (Eumaus)

Question 27

What do the suitors do to ready the bow for stringing (in hopes of making it easier)?

Answer 27

They heat and grease

Question 28

How does Antinous explain the fact that the suitors can’t string the bow?

Answer 28

It’s Apollo’s feast day

Question 29

What does Odysseus do that leaves the suitors with “faces blanching white”?

Answer 29

Odysseus strings the bow

Question 30

What sign does Zeus send when Odysseus strings the bow?

Answer 30

A lightening bolt

Question 31

What does Odysseus do to the women who were sleeping with the suitors?

Answer 31

Makes them clean up the bodies then hang them

Question 32

What interesting change happens to the epithets attached to Odysseus in the last books?

Answer 32

They become more tied to his battle skills

Question 33

Which character does Telemachus consider his “second father” (hint: loyal swineherd)?

Answer 33

Eumaus

Question 34

What is the secret that Penelope tests Odysseus with when they reunite?

Answer 34

Penelope orders Eurycleia to move her bridal bed, and Odysseus suddenly flares up at her that their bed is immovable, explaining how it is built from the trunk of an olive tree around which the house had been constructed.

Question 35

How did Odysseus make their wedding bed?

Answer 35

It is built from the trunk of an olive tree around which the house had been constructed

Question 36

____________ leads the ghosts of the suitors to Hades with his magic golden wand.

Answer 36

Hermes

Question 37

When the ghosts of the suitors arrive in Hades, who do they blame for their deaths?

Answer 37

Penelope

Question 38

What is the story the ghosts tell when they blame Penelope?

Answer 38

She tricked them into staying a long time

Question 39

At Laertes farm, _____________ attacks first, throwing his spear, with the help of Athena.

Answer 39

Laertes

Question 40

What does Athena do to resolve the conflict between Odysseus and the suitors’ families?

Answer 40

Athena makes the Ithacans forget the massacre of their children and recognize Odysseus as king

Question 41

What do the last lines of the epic reveal?

Answer 41

Peace is restored?