The Oddyssey 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.
EXAM QUESTION:
1. Read the following passage and answer all of the questions which follow:
(Odysseus asks Nausicaa for help)
‘And it is with the same wonder and veneration that I look at you, my lady, and I dare not clasp your knees, though my sufferings are serious enough. Only yesterday, after nineteen days, I made my escape from the wine-dark see. It took all that time for the waves and the tempestuous winds to carry me here from the island of Ogygia. And now some god has has flung me on this shore, no doubt to suffer more disasters here. For I have no hope that my troubles will come to an end; the gods have plenty in store for me before that can be. Pity me, princess.’
a) What impression do you get of Odysseus from this passage? Give reasons for your views and support them with details from the passage.
Candidates may refer to some of the following:
- Full of flattery
- Respectful in keeping his distance
- Suffered greatly during the storm
- Victim of the gods
- Lacking hope
- Sorry for himself
- Supplicant.
Clear reference to the passage and a range of points are required for thorough. Do not credit evidence outside
the passage.
Candidates may explain several aspects in more detail or may cover a greater range of aspects more briefly.
EXAM QUESTION:
1. Read the following passage and answer all of the questions which follow:
(Odysseus asks Nausicaa for help)
‘And it is with the same wonder and veneration that I look at you, my lady, and I dare not clasp your knees, though my sufferings are serious enough. Only yesterday, after nineteen days, I made my escape from the wine-dark see. It took all that time for the waves and the tempestuous winds to carry me here from the island of Ogygia. And now some god has has flung me on this shore, no doubt to suffer more disasters here. For I have no hope that my troubles will come to an end; the gods have plenty in store for me before that can be. Pity me, princess.’
b) What help does Nausicaa give Odysseus before he reaches the palace of Alcinous?
Candidates may refer to some of the following:
- Provides clothing
- Provides opportunity and oil for bath
- Gives directions
- Shows xenia – food, drink
- Background about life in the land of the Phaeacians
- Advice on how to approach her parents – when inside the palace he should ignore Alcinous and beg Arete
- She allows him to follow the wagon
- She tells him to wait at the grove of Athene.
Answers may either offer an overview of the help given or focus on the detail of several types of assistance.
Either approach is valid and should be credited in line with the marking grid.
EXAM QUESTION:
1. Read the following passage and answer all of the questions which follow:
(Odysseus asks Nausicaa for help)
‘And it is with the same wonder and veneration that I look at you, my lady, and I dare not clasp your knees, though my sufferings are serious enough. Only yesterday, after nineteen days, I made my escape from the wine-dark see. It took all that time for the waves and the tempestuous winds to carry me here from the island of Ogygia. And now some god has has flung me on this shore, no doubt to suffer more disasters here. For I have no hope that my troubles will come to an end; the gods have plenty in store for me before that can be. Pity me, princess.’
c) Explain why Nausicaa offers to help Odysseus.
Accept any reasonable opinion based on any of the following:
- Athene has made Nausicaa think of getting married
- Athene has enhanced Odysseus’ looks
- Athene has put courage into Nausicaa’s heart
- She feels sorry for him
- She falls for his charm
- She abides by the rules of xenia
- She likes him.
Candidates may explain several aspects in more detail or may cover a greater range of aspects more briefly.
Either approach is acceptable and should be credited in line with the marking grids.
EXAM QUESTION:
- Read the following passage from ‘The Odyssey’ and answer all of the the questions which follow.
(Odysseus wakes up in an unknown place)
‘What country have I come to this time?’ he said with a groan. ‘What people are there here? Hostile and uncivilized savages, or kindly and god-fearing people? There’s a shrill echo in my ears, as though some girls were shrieking - Nymphs who haunt the steep hill-tops, the springs of rivers, and the grassy meadows. Or am I by any chance among human beings who can talk as I do? Well, I must go and use my own eyes to find out.’
So the noble Odysseus crept out from under the bushes, after breaking off with his great hand a leafy bough from the thicket to conceal his naked manhood. Then he advanced like a mountain lion who sallies out, defying wind and rain in the pride of his power, with fire in his eyes, to hunt down the sheep or oxen or pursue the wild deer.So Odysseus, naked as he was, made a move towards the girls with their braided hair.’
a) What impression do you get of Odysseus from his thoughts and actions in this passage? Give reasons for your views and support them with details from the passage.
-He weighs up the situation carefully before venturing out.
-He might be seen as initially despondent.
-He is cautious in moving from out of the bushes.
-He is tactful in covering himself up.
-He stalks his “prey” carefully.
-He might be seen as being a proud (or dangerous)
individual in being compared to a lion.
Accept any reasonable interpretation of the simile.
EXAM QUESTION:
- Read the following passage from ‘The Odyssey’ and answer all of the the questions which follow.
(Odysseus wakes up in an unknown place)
‘What country have I come to this time?’ he said with a groan. ‘What people are there here? Hostile and uncivilized savages, or kindly and god-fearing people? There’s a shrill echo in my ears, as though some girls were shrieking - Nymphs who haunt the steep hill-tops, the springs of rivers, and the grassy meadows. Or am I by any chance among human beings who can talk as I do? Well, I must go and use my own eyes to find out.’
So the noble Odysseus crept out from under the bushes, after breaking off with his great hand a leafy bough from the thicket to conceal his naked manhood. Then he advanced like a mountain lion who sallies out, defying wind and rain in the pride of his power, with fire in his eyes, to hunt down the sheep or oxen or pursue the wild deer.So Odysseus, naked as he was, made a move towards the girls with their braided hair.’
b) Describe what Nausicaa and her maids had been doing at the river.
-They unharnessed the mules and let them graze.
-They unloaded the clothes and trod them in the water.
-They rinsed these and spread them to dry on the beach.
-They then bathed and oiled themselves.
-They ate their picnic.
-They took off their headgear and played with a ball.
-Nausicaa led the girls in a song.
-One of the maids missed the ball and it fell in the
river.
Candidates are likely to remember they washed the clothes and played ball, but without detail, this should
not score higher than Level 3 if there is nothing else in the answer.
Candidates should not be credited simply for saying what was planned to happen (e.g. Nausicaa took a picnic and clothes to wash), but only what had actually happened (e.g. Nausicaa had eaten her picnic and washed the clothes).
Do not credit discussion of Nausicaa’s dream or what happens after this scene.
EXAM QUESTION:
- Read the following passage from ‘The Odyssey’ and answer all of the the questions which follow.
(Odysseus wakes up in an unknown place)
‘What country have I come to this time?’ he said with a groan. ‘What people are there here? Hostile and uncivilized savages, or kindly and god-fearing people? There’s a shrill echo in my ears, as though some girls were shrieking - Nymphs who haunt the steep hill-tops, the springs of rivers, and the grassy meadows. Or am I by any chance among human beings who can talk as I do? Well, I must go and use my own eyes to find out.’
So the noble Odysseus crept out from under the bushes, after breaking off with his great hand a leafy bough from the thicket to conceal his naked manhood. Then he advanced like a mountain lion who sallies out, defying wind and rain in the pride of his power, with fire in his eyes, to hunt down the sheep or oxen or pursue the wild deer.So Odysseus, naked as he was, made a move towards the girls with their braided hair.’
c) Explain why it would be unfair to call Phaeacians ‘hostile and uncivilized savages’.
-They have a government and a king.
-They show xenia to Odyssey (food, drink, help, no questions asked).
-They have respect for women as shown by the position of Arete.
-Women conform to Greek customary roles.
-Nausicaa’s concern for her reputation.
-The Phaeacians show civilisation in that they have a fleet.
-Buildings and orchards show a highly developed
society.
-They are favoured by the gods, especially
Poseidon.
Candidates must refer to other incidents in reasonable detail. Because of the wording of the question, candidates should not be credited for suggesting that they are uncivilised for Alcinous not welcoming Odysseus immediately.
All of these cards are also in Esther’s deck.
Because she’s so cool. (^-^)/
