The Odyssey Flashcards
(24 cards)
What happens in Book 1 of The Odyssey?
Plot: Homer invokes the Muse and introduces Odysseus, trapped on Calypso’s island. The gods debate his fate while Athena visits Telemachus in Ithaca, where suitors are consuming his father’s wealth and pressuring Penelope to remarry. Athena encourages Telemachus to search for news of his father.
Topics: Loyalty, family, hospitality, divine intervention, coming of age
Literary Elements: Epic invocation, in medias res structure, divine intervention, characterization (Telemachus’ growth)
What happens in Book 2 of The Odyssey?
Plot: Telemachus calls an assembly and publicly confronts the suitors, demanding they leave. The suitors refuse and mock him. Athena helps Telemachus gather a ship and crew to search for his father, while the suitors plot to kill him upon his return.
Topics: Coming of age, justice, courage, family honor, hospitality abuse
Literary Elements: Dramatic irony (Athena’s disguise), symbolism (the eagle omens), characterization (Telemachus gaining confidence)
What happens in Book 3 of The Odyssey?
Plot: Telemachus and Athena (disguised as Mentor) arrive in Pylos and meet King Nestor, who tells stories of the Trojan War but has no news of Odysseus. Nestor suggests visiting Menelaus in Sparta and provides horses and his son Pisistratus as a guide.
Topics: Hospitality, wisdom, war memories, father-son relationships
Literary Elements: Flashback (Trojan War stories), characterization (Nestor as wise elder), hospitality scenes
What happens in Book 4 of The Odyssey?
Plot: Telemachus visits Menelaus and Helen in Sparta. Menelaus tells how he learned from Proteus that Odysseus is trapped on Calypso’s island. Meanwhile, the suitors discover Telemachus has left and plot to ambush him on his return. Penelope learns of the plot and despairs.
Topics: Loyalty, family, deception, hospitality, maternal love
Literary Elements: Parallel structure (Telemachus/Penelope scenes), foreshadowing (ambush plot), symbolism (Helen’s drugs)
What happens in Book 5 of The Odyssey?
Plot: Zeus orders Calypso to release Odysseus. She reluctantly helps him build a raft, and he sets sail for home. Poseidon spots him and sends a storm that destroys the raft. With help from the sea nymph Ino and Athena, Odysseus swims to the Phaeacian shore.
Topics: Freedom, divine intervention, perseverance, natural forces
Literary Elements: Simile (Odysseus clinging to the raft), personification (sea as enemy), symbolism (nudity representing rebirth)
What happens in Book 6 of The Odyssey?
Plot: Athena appears to Princess Nausicaa in a dream, inspiring her to do laundry by the shore where Odysseus washes up. Odysseus awakens naked and desperate, carefully approaching Nausicaa and her maids. Nausicaa shows him kindness and directs him to her father’s palace.
Topics: Hospitality, social class, appearance, divine guidance
Literary Elements: Dream sequence, characterization (Nausicaa’s courage and wisdom), dramatic irony (Athena’s manipulation)
What happens in Book 7 of The Odyssey?
Plot: Athena guides Odysseus to King Alcinous’ magnificent palace. Odysseus marvels at the Phaeacian wealth and technology. He supplicates Queen Arete, and after she questions him, he tells part of his story. The royal couple agrees to help him reach home.
Topics: Hospitality, wealth, supplication, storytelling
Literary Elements: Extended description (palace and gardens), characterization (Arete’s wisdom), symbolism (the magical Phaeacian ships)
What happens in Book 8 of The Odyssey?
Plot: The Phaeacians hold games in Odysseus’ honor. When mocked for not competing, Odysseus throws a discus farther than anyone. The blind bard Demodocus sings about the Trojan War, causing Odysseus to weep. Alcinous notices and asks for his guest’s identity.
Topics: Competition, identity, war memories, artistic performance
Literary Elements: Dramatic irony (audience knows Odysseus’ identity), symbolism (the discus throw), metapoetry (bard’s song reflects the epic itself)
What happens in Book 9 of The Odyssey?
Plot: Odysseus reveals his identity and begins his tale. He describes the raid on the Cicones, the lotus-eaters who make men forget home, and the Cyclops Polyphemus. Odysseus blinds Polyphemus but foolishly reveals his name, causing the Cyclops to call on his father Poseidon for revenge.
Topics: Identity, pride, violence, hospitality violations, divine punishment
Literary Elements: First-person narrative, dramatic irony (Odysseus’ name trick), symbolism (the wine gift), characterization (Odysseus’ fatal pride)
What happens in Book 10 of The Odyssey?
Plot: Aeolus gives Odysseus a bag of winds, but his men open it thinking it contains treasure, blowing them back to sea. Aeolus refuses to help again. The Laestrygonians destroy most of Odysseus’ fleet. On Circe’s island, she turns his men into pigs, but with Hermes’ help, Odysseus resists her magic and forces her to restore his men.
Topics: Trust, greed, transformation, divine aid, leadership
Literary Elements: Symbolism (winds in bag, transformation into pigs), divine intervention (Hermes’ herb), characterization (crew’s fatal curiosity)
What happens in Book 11 of The Odyssey?
Plot: Circe sends Odysseus to the underworld to consult the prophet Tiresias. Odysseus speaks with his mother’s ghost, learns about the situation in Ithaca, and receives prophecies about his homecoming. He encounters famous dead heroes and women, learning their stories.
Topics: Death, prophecy, family, heroism, knowledge
Literary Elements: Descent to underworld (katabasis), characterization through ghostly encounters, foreshadowing (Tiresias’ prophecies)
What happens in Book 12 of The Odyssey?
Plot: Circe warns Odysseus about upcoming dangers. He navigates past the Sirens (plugging his men’s ears with wax while he listens tied to the mast), chooses to pass Scylla rather than Charybdis (losing six men), and reaches the island of the sun god. Despite warnings, his men eat the sacred cattle and are killed by Zeus. Only Odysseus survives to reach Calypso’s island.
Topics: Temptation, sacrifice, leadership, divine punishment, survival
Literary Elements: Symbolism (Sirens’ song, sacred cattle), foreshadowing (Circe’s warnings), dramatic irony (audience knows the consequences)
What happens in Book 13 of The Odyssey?
Plot: The Phaeacians transport the sleeping Odysseus to Ithaca with magnificent gifts. Poseidon, angry at their help, turns their ship to stone and threatens their city. Athena disguises Odysseus as a beggar and reveals the situation with the suitors, beginning to plan their destruction.
Topics: Homecoming, transformation, divine punishment, planning
Literary Elements: Transformation (ship to stone, Odysseus’ disguise), dramatic irony (Odysseus doesn’t recognize Ithaca), symbolism (the beggar disguise)
What happens in Book 14 of The Odyssey?
Plot: Disguised as a beggar, Odysseus visits his loyal swineherd Eumaeus, who welcomes him warmly despite his appearance. Odysseus tests Eumaeus’ loyalty by telling false stories about himself, and Eumaeus proves faithful by speaking lovingly of his missing master and hosting the stranger generously.
Topics: Loyalty, hospitality, class, deception, testing
Literary Elements: Dramatic irony (Eumaeus doesn’t know his guest’s identity), characterization (Eumaeus’ nobility), false tale (Odysseus’ invented story)
What happens in Book 15 of The Odyssey?
Plot: Athena appears to Telemachus in Sparta, urging him to return home and avoid the suitors’ ambush. Telemachus takes leave of Menelaus and Helen, receiving gifts. He picks up a prophet fleeing murder charges. Meanwhile, Odysseus continues testing Eumaeus’ loyalty and learns more about the situation in his household.
Topics: Divine guidance, family reunion, loyalty, hospitality, omens
Literary Elements: Parallel action (Telemachus and Odysseus), divine intervention (Athena’s warning), foreshadowing (prophet’s omens)
What happens in Book 16 of The Odyssey?
Plot: Telemachus arrives at Eumaeus’ hut. Athena reveals Odysseus’ true appearance to his son, and father and son reunite tearfully. They plan how to confront the suitors.
Topics: Reunion, identity, family, loyalty; Themes: Recognition and identity are crucial for family reunions.
Literary Elements: Recognition scene (anagnorisis), divine intervention (Athena’s revelation), dramatic irony (only some characters know the truth)
What happens in Book 17 of The Odyssey?
Plot: Telemachus returns to the palace and reunites with Penelope. Odysseus, still disguised as a beggar, travels to his own palace with Eumaeus. His old dog Argos recognizes him and dies. The suitors abuse Odysseus, and he begins to identify which servants are loyal and which have betrayed him.
Topics: Recognition, loyalty, abuse of hospitality, social class, homecoming
Literary Elements: Pathetic fallacy (Argos’ death), dramatic irony (only the dog recognizes Odysseus), symbolism (the faithful dog)
What happens in Book 18 of The Odyssey?
Plot: A real beggar named Irus challenges Odysseus to a fight. Odysseus easily defeats him, impressing some suitors. Penelope appears before the suitors to extract gifts from them, pleasing Odysseus. Athena inflames the suitors’ arrogance, and they continue abusing Odysseus, sealing their fate.
Topics: Competition, deception, loyalty, divine manipulation, arrogance
Literary Elements: Boxing match (agon), dramatic irony (Penelope’s unknowing cooperation), characterization (suitors’ increasing arrogance)
What happens in Book 19 of The Odyssey?
Plot: Odysseus and Telemachus hide the weapons from the hall. Penelope interviews the “beggar,” who tells convincing lies about meeting Odysseus and predicts his return. The old nurse Eurycleia recognizes Odysseus by his scar while washing his feet, but he swears her to secrecy. Penelope announces the bow contest.
Topics: Recognition, deception, loyalty, testing, contests
Literary Elements: Recognition scene (Eurycleia and the scar), dramatic irony (Penelope’s unknowing interview), foreshadowing (bow contest announcement)
What happens in Book 20 of The Odyssey?
Plot: Odysseus restrains himself from killing the disloyal maids immediately. Athena assures him of victory while Penelope despairs. Omens multiply as the day of reckoning approaches. The suitors feast and mock Odysseus, but some receive prophetic warnings they ignore. Tension builds toward the final confrontation.
Topics: Self-control, divine signs, justice, prophecy, loyalty
Literary Elements: Omens and portents, dramatic irony (prophecies ignored), foreshadowing (building tension)
What happens in Book 21 of The Odyssey?
Plot: Penelope brings Odysseus’ great bow and announces the contest: whoever can string it and shoot an arrow through twelve axe heads will marry her. All the suitors fail to string the bow. Despite their protests, Odysseus requests a try, easily strings the bow, and shoots through the axes, revealing his identity.
Topics: Competition, identity revelation, divine justice, marriage, strength
Literary Elements: Contest (agon), recognition scene (anagnorisis), symbolism (the bow as test of worthiness)
What happens in Book 22 of The Odyssey?
Plot: Odysseus reveals himself and begins slaughtering the suitors with Telemachus, Eumaeus, and Philoetius. The suitors plead for mercy, but Odysseus shows none except to the bard and herald. Athena helps ensure victory. Twelve disloyal maids are hanged, and the goatherd Melanthius is brutally executed.
Topics: Justice, revenge, loyalty, divine intervention, punishment
Literary Elements: Battle scene, divine intervention (Athena’s aid), poetic justice (each character gets appropriate fate)
What happens in Book 23 of The Odyssey?
Plot: Eurycleia tells Penelope that Odysseus has returned and killed the suitors, but Penelope refuses to believe it. She tests Odysseus by mentioning moving their bed, and when he describes its construction (carved from a living olive tree), she finally accepts his identity. They reunite and share their stories.
Topics: Recognition, marriage, testing, reunion, storytelling
Literary Elements: Final recognition scene, symbolism (the immovable bed), restoration of marital harmony
What happens in Book 24 of The Odyssey?
Plot: The suitors’ souls go to Hades, where Achilles and Agamemnon discuss their different fates. The suitors’ families, led by Antinous’ father, seek revenge against Odysseus. He reunites with his father Laertes, and when the angry families attack, Athena intervenes to establish peace and end the cycle of vengeance.
Topics: Death, family, revenge, peace, divine intervention, generational conflict
Literary Elements: Parallel underworld scene, three-generation reunion (Odysseus, Telemachus, Laertes), divine resolution (deus ex machina)
