ODYSSEY17 20

ODYSSEY 17

0. How does the goatherd Melanthius greet Odysseus and Eumaeus? What does he have in common with the suitors? How do Odysseus and Eumaeus react to his abuse?

1. How does a dog almost create a premature anagnorisis?

2. Who is the only Suitor not to give food to the beggar Odysseus? What does his name mean? Why is it appropriate? What does he do instead of give alms?

3. How is Odysseus’ reaction to Antinous’ abuse similar to his reaction to Melanthius earlier in the book? What is the reaction of the other Suitors to Antinous’ action?

ODYSSEY 18

4. How is Irus like the Suitors?

5. How did Irus get his name?

6. How is Odysseus’ treatment of Irus a foreshadowing of future events? Why are lines 107-108 ironic?

ODYSSEY 19

7. How does Odysseus reveal his genius for clever plotting and guile in this book? Cite specifics.

8. How does Penelope reveal her own “metis” (“cunning intelligence”)?

9. What does the maid Melantho have in common with the similarly-named Melanthius? (compare 19.73ff to 17.229ff).

10. Does Penelope recognize the beggar as her husband? What makes you think so or think not?

11. What details associate Odysseus with his maternal grandfather Autolycus?

12. How does Eurycleia recognize Odysseus? What is Odysseus’ reaction? How appropriate is his reaction?

13. What was Penelope’s dream? What is significant about the ‘gate of ivory’?

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Here is a vase painting that represents a scene from Odyssey 19. What details can you recognize that match the text that you read? Are there any differences?

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ODYSSEY 20

14. How do Odysseus’ and Penelope’s nocturnal experiences associate them with one another?

15. How does the epic characterize the servants of Odysseus in this book? Name two of them.

16. How is the suitors’ laughter at the end of this book similar to their laughter at the beggar Iros at the beginning of book 18? [“Theoclymenus and the Apocalypse” article]

17. What special day will it be when day dawns (169, 298-303), and which god will receive honors? How does this fact relate to the upcoming trial of the bow and slaughter of the suitors?

18. Where do you suppose the Greek word “hubris” occurs in the seer Theoclymenus‘ last speech as he leaves the hall (398-404)? What god inspires seers?

19. What does the suitor Ctesippus throw at the beggar Odysseus? What is the result of his cast? What does this result portend?