odysseus Flashcards
(26 cards)
In which books does Odysseus appear?
9, 10, 19, 21, and 22
Give a general summary about Odysseus’ character
He is the protagonist of the book; his character changes from one that is reckless and reactionary, to one that is calculated and controlling. He believes in xenia and its importance and tests characters’ understanding of it. The whole book is about his nostos and his desire for revenge and justice. He is a master of deceit and trickery.
How does Odysseus character present and change throughout the books?
5-8: humble yet reacts when challenged to prove himself
9-12: He is at times reckless, lacking in judgement, egotistical, and makes a lot of decisions that see his crew die. Yet he equally shows real leadership, resourcefulness, cunning, and strength.
13-24: Odysseus is almost now the complete Greek hero. Careful in his planning, controlled in his behaviour, trusting in his allies, and brutal on his enemies. He has perfected the art of manipulation and disguise to support his mission to win back Penelope and his kingdom.
Which epithets does Homer use and what do these suggest about Odysseus?
Resourceful, great, wise, godlike, long-enduring, favourite of Zeus, patient, noble, shrewd, sacker of cities, nimble-witted, the master-schemer, and illustrious.
These suggest the complexity if his character.
How is Odysseus presented as resourceful and intelligent in book 9 when leaving Troy?
By providing the greeks with the opportunity to defeat Troy through his creation of the trojan war through his creation of the Trojan horse.
How is Odysseus presented as a ‘sacker of cities’ in book 9 during the battle of cicones?
He demonstrates his power as a warrior and a leader of men when he and his men travel to Ismarus and sack the city, defeating the cicones. It shows his skills as a warrior and a leader of the army
How is Odysseus presented as complacent in book 9 during the battle of the cicones?
As the Ithacans are unprepared for a counter-attack by the cicones, they complacently stay by their boats revelling in the glory of their previous victory rather than leaving immediately. This demonstrates Odysseus’ poor leadership skills.
How is Odysseus presented as a strong leader in book 9 in the land of lotus eaters?
Odysseus learns from the previous battle against the Cicones, when he drags his men from the Lotus-Eaters. He physically shows his strength by forcing them back onto the ships, and then leaving immediately. It is a sign that Odysseus is willing to learn from his previous mistakes
How is Odysseus presented as curious in book 9 with polyphemus?
Odysseus does not listen to his crew when they express their desire to leave the island of the Cyclops. Odysseus wants to stay and test the Cyclops’ hospitality. This curiosity would see his men become trapped in Polyphemus’ cave and see a
number of his men eaten by Polyphemus
How is Odysseus presented as clever in book 9 with polyphemus?
Odysseus demonstrates his resourcefulness and cunning to be able to get out of Polyphemus’ cave. His idea to pretend to be ‘Nobody’ has huge outcomes as it convinces Polyphemus it is his name and no threat, but also the other Cyclops who run to Polyphemus’ cries of anguish when he is blinded. Equally, his escape using the sheep and rams is incredibly clever
How is Odysseus presented as arrogant and egotistical in book 9 with polyphemus?
Odysseus flees the island with his men to, what should be, safety but his arrogance and ego places him and his men in immediate and long-term danger. His desire to let Polyphemus know his real name means the Cyclops can locate roughly where they are and launch rocks at the escaping ship, but also sees Poseidon now seek revenge on Odysseus and his crew. Polyphemus’ prophecy of only Odysseus returning to Ithaca after struggling comes true
How is Odysseus presented as reckless in book 10 with the laestrygonians?
Odysseus had seen the potential danger in the Laestrygonians’ harbour, but rather than warning the rest of his fleet and men, he chose to moor only his ship outside of it. As they flee the island, his men are trapped in the harbour, something Odysseus foresaw, and this sees all but his ship sunk and all but his crew killed
How is Odysseus presented as lacking respect from his crew in book 10 on circes island?
Clearly, Odysseus’ crew lack respect for him. When he is travelling to Circe’s island, they open the bag of wind given to him by Aelous, the Wind God, and thus the fleet are blown away from Ithaca. This would not have happened if the crew respected him and they followed him with discipline.
How is Odysseus presented as responsible in book 10 on circes island?
Once Odysseus’ crew are captured by Circe and turned into pigs, it is Odysseus who sets out to free them himself.
How is Odysseus presented as faithful in book 10 on circes island?
In freeing his men, Odysseus must listen to the advice given to him by Hermes who is disguised. Odysseus trusts his faith in the Gods and destiny when accepting that advice and
actioning it.
How is Odysseus presented as unfaithful in book 10 on circes island?
Despite his faithfulness to the Gods, it appears that Odysseus is openly unfaithful to his wife, Penelope, when he sleeps with Circe. Whilst in modern terms, this would simply be adultery to the Ancient Greeks, it may not be so. It would have enhanced Odysseus’ reputation to have slept with a Goddess, and it could be argued, he was ‘forced’ to when he was instructed to by Hermes.
How is Odysseus presented as homesick and vulnerable in book 10 on circes island?
There are moments in Book 10, when a more vulnerable Odysseus is exposed. He contemplates death on a number of occasions but is this through defeat and lack of hope or from the thought of dying unnoticed by people and the Gods? In
Circe’s home we see him visibly moved to want to return home (nostos) after one year on her island.
How is Odysseus presented as unforgiving in book 10 on circes island?
We see Odysseus change in Book 10 from someone who would not listen to his men in Book 9 to someone who does in Book 10, when he spares Eurylochus’ life. He feels completely disrespected by Eurylochus and thinks he is a terrible leader. His first instinct is to kill him, but his men persuade him not to.
How is Odysseus presented as deceitful in books 19, 21, and 22 back in Ithaca?
Odysseus’ return to Ithaca is shrouded in secrecy and he keeps his identity secret from all but a couple of close allies. His ability to disguise himself is something that would have been celebrated and applauded in Ancient Greece as it symbolises the Greek’s superior intellect to other nationalities
How is Odysseus presented asa planner in books 19, 21, and 22 back in Ithaca?
Odysseus plots an intricate route to killing the Suitors. He takes on a hidden identity, he tests the loyalty of his servants, he manipulates people into carrying out his plan in which he ends up in a locked room with the Suitors armed with his Great Bow.
How is Odysseus presented as trusting in books 19, 21, and 22 back in Ithaca?
Odysseus is trusting of only but a few people in his plot to win back his home and kill the Suitors: Telemachus, Eumaeus, Philoetius, and reluctantly, Eurycleia. With each of these he tests their loyalty to him before trusting them.
How is Odysseus presented as manipulative in books 19, 21, and 22 back in Ithaca?
Odysseus shows his ability to manipulate people throughout his return to Ithaca. This is perhaps best demonstrated in his concealment of his identity to his wife, Penelope. He uses false stories to manipulate her into doing what he needs to
defeat the Suitors, with the Archery Contest being the most obvious
How is Odysseus presented as fatherly in books 19, 21, and 22 back in Ithaca?
Odysseus portrays all the values needed in a father from Ancient Greek times, and he seems to revel in it despite not being a father to Telemachus for 20 years. He provides him with instruction and inspiration which Telemachus happily
accepts. This is perhaps best exemplified with his simple shake of the head to stop Telemachus trying to string the bow one more time
How is Odysseus presented as inspiring in books 19, 21, and 22 back in Ithaca?
Odysseus is an inspiration to three key members of the Odysseus household: Telemachus, Eumaeus and Philoetius, all of whom weep at his return. Equally, Eurycleia responds to his return with pure emotion.
