The Odyssey Test

Question 1

In book 1 who seeks to punish Odysseus interminably

Answer 1

Poseidon

Question 2

Where is Odysseus at the beginning of the poem

Answer 2

Ogygia

Question 3

Which god visits Telemachus at the beginning of the poem

Answer 3

Athene

Question 4

Telemachus is overrun with ____ who sponge off of him and his estate, making no amends

Answer 4

Suitors

Question 5

What does Mentes tell Telemachus in Book 1 that he must do

Answer 5

Go on a quest, make Penelope decide about marriage, and thrust the suitors from the house

Question 6

What is the purpose of Telemachus’ quest

Answer 6

He is to find word or rumor about Odysseus and his fate

Question 7

While making announcements after Mentes’ visit in Book 1, what else does Telemachus tell the suitors of his hall

Answer 7

Odysseus is dead

Question 8

In Book 5, who orders Odysseus’ release from Calypso

Answer 8

Zeus

Question 9

Which word best describes Odysseus’ initial reaction when Calypso offers to help him in Book 5

Answer 9

Skeptical

Question 10

Calypso gives Odysseus many things to help him on his way including supplies for making his ship, provisions for his journey, and a(n) ____________________________

Answer 10

Gentle breeze

Question 11

How many days does it take Odysseus to make his preparations and finally leave Ogypia

Answer 11

Five days

Question 12

What does Poseidon call to disrupt Odysseus’ easy passage to Phaecia

Answer 12

The four winds

Question 13

Having left Ogypia and survived Poseidon’s attack, what was Odysseus’ new problem, now that he spots land

Answer 13

The coast is jagged, the sea is deep, and there is no safe harbor

Question 14

After his battle with Poseidon in Book 5, where does Odysseus find shelter in the land on which he has just arrived

Answer 14

Under shrub

Question 15

After leaving the lotus-eaters, what do Odysseus and his ships find in Book 9

Answer 15

A land of man-eating giants

Question 16

Odysseus and his men have just landed on an island after the lotus-eaters. Why does Odysseus leave this place the next morning

Answer 16

He wants to investigate another island from which smoke can be seen

Question 17

How does the Cyclops in Book 9 show hospitality

Answer 17

He dashes two men’s brains out and eats them

Question 18

How many men does Odysseus lose to the cyclops

Answer 18

6

Question 19

As Odysseus and his men push away from the Cyclops island, what does Odysseus do

Answer 19

He taunts Polyphemus

Question 20

What does Aeolus give Odysseus in Book 10

Answer 20

A sack holding winds

Question 21

Why doesn’t Aeolus help Odysseus again

Answer 21

Odysseus is detested by the immortals

Question 22

What does Circe turn Odysseus’ crew into

Answer 22

Pigs

Question 23

How does Eurylochus react when Odysseus tells his crew to follow him to Circe’s house

Answer 23

He tells the others it was Odysseus’ fault that the others have perished, and that Odysseus is reckless.

Question 24

Why does Odysseus have to go to Hades in Book 10

Answer 24

To see Teiresia who will tell him how to get home

Question 25

Who is first to visit Odysseus from the dead

Answer 25

Elpenor

Question 26

What does the first spirit to visit Odysseus in Hades ask him to do

Answer 26

Go back to Aeaea and observe his funeral rites

Question 27

With which hero did Odysseus first speak to in Hades

Answer 27

Agamemnnon

Question 28

What advice does Agamemnon give to Odysseus regarding women

Answer 28

Tell a part and let a part be hid

Question 29

Why did Odysseus and Ajax fight

Answer 29

It was a contest to win Achille's armor

Question 30

How does Eumaeus greet Telemachus upon his return

Answer 30

Like a father to a long lost son

Question 31

Where is Telemachus supposed to put all the fighting gear that lies about Odysseus' fall

Answer 31

In a corner of the lofty chamber

Question 32

What test does Odysseus give his son

Answer 32

He is not to tell a soul that Odysseus has returned to Ithaca alive and well

Question 33

Which suitor eases Penelope's fears for her son

Answer 33

Eurymachus

Question 34

Why doesn't Telemachus want his treasures taken to his house

Answer 34

He's unsure about the situation with the suitors

Question 35

How does Odysseus' goatherd, Melanthius, treat Odysseus the beggar and Eumaeus

Answer 35

He is rude and unkind

Question 36

Who is the first in the hall to notice Odysseus the beggar

Answer 36

Telemachus

Question 37

Which reveler refuses to give anything to Odysseus the beggar, who has come to witness his first feast

Answer 37

Antinous

Question 38

At his first feast in his own house, who throws a stool at Odysseus the beggar

Answer 38

Antinous

Question 39

Who gives Odysseus the bow that Penelope is using in her contest for the suitors

Answer 39

Iphitus

Question 40

How does Telemachus react to his mother's contest

Answer 40

He's going to try the bow, for it he can wield it, then she can marry whoever she wishes

Question 41

Who sets up the axes for the trial of the bow

Answer 41

Telemachus

Question 42

Among the suitors, who tried to use the bow first

Answer 42

Leiodes

Question 43

After the first suitor fails to string the bow, what does he recommend

Answer 43

Each man who fails should try for another woman

Question 44

Why does Odysseus the beggar say he wants the bow after the suitors have all tried to use it

Answer 44

He wants to see how much strength he has left.

Question 45

Which suitor is killed first

Answer 45

Antinous

Question 46

When Eurymachus' negotiations fail, what plan do the suitors make to escape from Odysseus' palace alive

Answer 46

They want to attack all together and raise the alarm

Question 47

Who does Telemachus first slay among the suitors during the battle in the hall

Answer 47

Amphinomous

Question 48

Who tries to help the suitors in Book 22 by grabbing the armor and weapons

Answer 48

Melanthius

Question 49

How many suitors are spared in Book 22 before Eurycleia is summoned for cleaning the hall

Answer 49

2