Odyssey and Odysseus Return Home
The Odyssey Study Guide
PART 2 – COMING HOME p. 928
1. In Book 13 how does Odysseus return home? How is he disguised? Secretly returns in a magically swift Phaeacian ship disguised as a beggar.
2. In Book 14 who does Odysseus go to first when he returns home? Eumaeus
3. In Book 15 what are we told about Telemachus? He seeks out old comrades of his father to see if he can learn of his whereabouts but is advised by Athena to return home.
THE MEETING OF FATHER AND SON pp. 929-931
1. How does the swineherd treat Telemachus? He treats him as a long lost son returns and greets him with kisses and tears. How does Telemachus treat the swineherd? Calls him uncle and seeks him first upon his return
2. In lines 979-990 what important Greek value does Telemachus’s and Eumaeus’s treatment of the unknown beggar reveal? Their courteous and respectful treatment show how the Greeks value hospitality.
3. When Athena causes Odysseus’ disguise to disappear, what does Telemachus think? He thinks he is a god and is afraid
4. In lines 1029-1033 to what are the cries of Odysseus and Telemachus compared? The cries of a hawk whose young have been stolen from the nest
THE BEGGAR AND THE FAITHFUL DOG pp. 932-934
1. How is Argos described? Treated as rubbish, laying on a mass of dung, abandoned, half destroyed with flies. How does this description make you feel? Sad about his condition and angry about his neglect
2. In lines 1053-1055 what does this scene reveal about Odysseus’ character? He is a sensitive man, but he also has the strength to hide his true feelings; self-control
3. What happens to Argos? He recognizes his master’s voice, wags his tail, greets him and dies.
4. On books 18-19 what does the stranger tell Penelope? He says he has news of her husband. He spins a tale and pretends to have met Odysseus in his travels and praises the lost hero.
5. How does Eurycleia recognize Odysseus? When she goes to wash his feet, she recognizes a scar on his
PART 2 – COMING HOME p. 928
1. In Book 13 how does Odysseus return home? How is he disguised? Secretly returns in a magically swift Phaeacian ship disguised as a beggar.
2. In Book 14 who does Odysseus go to first when he returns home? Eumaeus
3. In Book 15 what are we told about Telemachus? He seeks out old comrades of his father to see if he can learn of his whereabouts but is advised by Athena to return home.
THE MEETING OF FATHER AND SON pp. 929-931
1. How does the swineherd treat Telemachus? He treats him as a long lost son returns and greets him with kisses and tears. How does Telemachus treat the swineherd? Calls him uncle and seeks him first upon his return
2. In lines 979-990 what important Greek value does Telemachus’s and Eumaeus’s treatment of the unknown beggar reveal? Their courteous and respectful treatment show how the Greeks value hospitality.
3. When Athena causes Odysseus’ disguise to disappear, what does Telemachus think? He thinks he is a god and is afraid
4. In lines 1029-1033 to what are the cries of Odysseus and Telemachus compared? The cries of a hawk whose young have been stolen from the nest
THE BEGGAR AND THE FAITHFUL DOG pp. 932-934
1. How is Argos described? Treated as rubbish, laying on a mass of dung, abandoned, half destroyed with flies. How does this description make you feel? Sad about his condition and angry about his neglect
2. In lines 1053-1055 what does this scene reveal about Odysseus’ character? He is a sensitive man, but he also has the strength to hide his true feelings; self-control
3. What happens to Argos? He recognizes his master’s voice, wags his tail, greets him and dies.
4. On books 18-19 what does the stranger tell Penelope? He says he has news of her husband. He spins a tale and pretends to have met Odysseus in his travels and praises the lost hero.
5. How does Eurycleia recognize Odysseus? When she goes to wash his feet, she recognizes a scar on his