The Odyssey Study Guide Flashcards
Invocation to the Gods
A prayer for help.
All epics begin with this.
In Medias Res
“In the middle”. The epic starts midway.
Ody is in year 19 when we start
Hubris
Excessive pride/ Ego
This is Ody’s tragic flaw and causes trouble.
Xenia
Law of hospitality.
Ody depends on it for help and access to places.
Rhapsodes
The people who recite/ tell epics.
The story may be different depending on who is telling it.
Nostos
Homecoming. Ody’s goal
Metis
Trickery/ Cunning/ Strategy
Ody’s skill and why Athena likes him.
Why is Cicones Important
Ody’s men were disobedient and foolish and were killed because of it. The lesson is to Be Obedient.
Why was the Lotus Eaters Important
We see Ody’s physical strength for the first time.
Why is the cyclops important
We see both Ody’s hubris (which almost kills him and leads to the death of 6 men) And his skill and strategy in the escape.
Why is aeolia important
Ody’s hubris kept him from telling his men why they shouldn’t open the bag. This and the disobedience of his men led to disaster.
Why is Laestrygonia important
He loses all but one ship of men to Cannibals
Why is Circe important
You see Ody’s loyal to his men as he agrees to stay for 1 year to save them.
Why is the land of the dead important
He must conquer his fear in order to find Tiresias and get his prophecy (we learn fortune).
Why is the sirens important
Ody learns from his mistakes and tells his men and his men also learn and listen to Ody.
