Take Home Test: The Odyssey

Tiffany Yeh Period

6
1.

The role of women in The Odyssey plays an extremely important

part in the journey of Odysseus. One example would be his loving and
faithful wife, Penelope. Penelope is portrayed as a loving, kind, and
good-hearted woman with many morals and also has undying love for
her husband Odysseus, and has faith in his return even after so many
years. Without the strong connection and love between Odysseus and
Penelope, she probably would have remarried while he was away, but
instead, she continued to wait day by day for him to come back to her.
Their love is also a huge motivator for Odysseus on his long and
treacherous journey as he longs to return home to his Penelope.
Without their love for each other, Odysseus most likely would not have
been as motivated and determined to return home to Ithaca.
Calypso, the goddess that traps Odysseus on her island, is
portrayed as evil and harming towards Odysseus at first, but then we
see her as lonely and someone who was cursed. She played a role in
his journey by keeping him on her island and seducing him. Calypso
caused Odysseus to stray from the path of returning to Ithaca and
lengthens the time he is away from Penelope. Her role in the Odyssey
also showed to us that the gods are not all cruel, shown at the part
where Hermes comes and tells her to let Odysseus leave.
Anticleia played the role of Odysseuss mother. She is portrayed as
a cold hearted and mean lady. Although she loves Odysseus very

much, she is strict and does not have much room in her heart for
laughter or joy. She ends up killing herself because she cannot live with
the thought that her son had died.
2. Archetype- an original pattern or model from which all things of the
same kind are copied. The book The Odyssey served as an archetype
for all the future hero versus villain stories.
3. In media res- in the midst of things. In media res, and all the troubles
that Odysseus had been through, he constantly still thought only of his
one love, Penelope.
4. Invocation- the act of calling upon a spirit or god. Odysseus used
invocation to pray to Athena to assist him during his journey.
5. Rhapsode- a singer in ancient Greece- Kings living during the Greek
reign most likely had a rhapsode to sing about stories and for
entertainment.
6. Insidious- stealthily treacherous or deceitful. Posiedon was insidious
towards Odysseus during his journey and constantly prevented him
from returning home.
7. Restitution- restoration of property or rights previously taken away.
After killing all of the intruders that had been trying to marry his wife,
Odysseus had restitution of his kingdom at last.
8. Hubris- an excess of ambition or pride. Because of Odysseuss hubris,
he angered Poseidon and didnt return home for more than 10 years.
9. Immortal- never dying. The Greek gods are immortal and rule over all
the people.
10.
Compensation- something given or received as an equivalent for
services. Odysseus worshipped Athena in compensation that the gods
would stay by his side.

11.

Epithet- any word or phrase applied to a person or thing to

describe an actual or attributed quality. Poseidon the Cruel-Hearted.

Odysseus the Stubborn- Willed.
12.
Epic simile- a simile developed over several lines of verse used in
an epic poem.
Poseidon was as cruel as the cold winter killing the harvest. Odysseus
was as stubborn as the Greek gods.
13.
Lethargic- B
14.
Halcyon-B
15.
Heroic simile- D
16.
Mercurial- B
17.
Siren- A
18.
Titanic- A
19.
Furious- A
20.
Hypnotic- A
21.
Mediterranean- A
22.
Atlas- A
23.
While visiting the Underworld first Hermes would bring me there
past the gates of the sun and the Land of Dreams until I reach the
Asphodel Fields where I wait. I would see all the confused and
wandering souls awaiting their judgment. Charon, the ferryman would
then lead me across the river into the Gates of Hades. After that, I
would receive judgment and hopefully continue into the Elysian Fields
where I might have the off chance of being reincarnated.
24.
Dear daughters of Zeus,
It would be my honor to call upon Mnemosyne, Thalia, Euterpe,
and Clio, to assist me in the writing of a screen play about Odysseus. I
ask that Mnemosyne give me the inspiration to be able to write the
screen play and assist me in the ideas for the story line. Thalia could

help put in some comedy into the screen play to create a slight laugh
while watching the movie amidst the tension and seriousness. Euterpe
could help me pick out the music that would accompany the screen
play and help the dramatic feeling. Clio could teach me about the
Greece history so I could know my background information before
writing the screen play. For my movie plans, I want to cast Hugh
Jackman in the role of Odysseus, Sandra Bullocks as Penelope, Tyra
Banks as Calypso, and Avan Jogia as Telemachus.
25.
Odysseuss relationship with Poseidon is like a hero versus the
villain. Poseidon and Odysseus battle against each other as Odysseus
tries to return home, but Poseidon continues time and time again to
prevent him from ever seeing his home, Ithaca. Poseidon is portrayed
as a cruel and harsh god that is also mean and arrogant. Odysseus
angers Poseidon extremely when he curses the gods and defies them,
and Poseidon is too stubborn to let him get away with it. Overall,
Poseidon and Odysseus do not have a good relationship and do not get
along at all.
On the other hand, Odysseuss relationship with Athena is very
strong and good. He worships here and is faithful to her and extremely
religious always praying towards Athena. Athena treats Odysseus with
kindness always helping him out, and loving him because he is wise
and does not act rashly. She assists him when he finally returns home
to Ithaca by disguising him as an old beggar, and helps him along his

journey. Athena and Odysseuss relationship is much better than

Poseidons and stronger because he likes Athena.
If I were to choose a god, I would choose Zeus because he is the
most powerful god and could bring me home sooner. During the
journey, Zeus would be able to fly me back to my homeland, or use his
messenger, Hermes, to send me back. As supreme ruler, Zeus would
also be able to tell any of the other gods to assist me on my journey,
such as Poseidon who would help keep the sea calm. Zeus could also
control the weather and prevent any huge thunder or lightning storms
which helps make my journey much easier.
Bonus: in the Odyssey, I learned to never give up and that if you
continue to try and believe you can succeed, and then eventually you
will succeed. I also learned not to be stubborn and always only believe
in my own skill because I alone am not a superhuman. You must trust
in others and accept their help, or you will find yourself alone with no
friends. An additional thing that I learned was that love is an extremely
strong motivator. It is a connection between people that can last
forever and sustains throughout time as long as you have faith.