The Odyssey Part 1 Questions and Answers
100% Pass
Why are Odysseus' men vulnerable when the Cicones attack?
They were drunk
What happens to the men who eat the Lotus plant?
They don't return to the ship, they want to stay forever and forget about their mission home.
Odysseus had to drag the men back to the ship
When the Cyclops asks about his ship, what does Odysseus tell him?
Odysseus tells the Cyclops that Poseidon broke his ship on the rocks. He does this so the Cyclops will
not have them leave.
Why does Odysseus refrain from killing the Cyclops?
Odysseus refrains from killing the Cyclops because he and his men are trapped inside the cave by a
giant stone which is too heavy for any man to move. The Cyclops is the only one who can move it. So
if he kills the Cyclops, he and his men will be stuck in the cave forever.
Why do none of the other Cyclopes come when Polyphemus cries for help?
He tells everyone that nobody has hurt him and that he is ok, so nobody will come.
Odysseus begins his narrative when he and his men set sail from Troy. What does this episode of the
Cicones reveal about Troy and his men?
It reveals that Odysseus' men are foolish, don't take their jobs seriously so therefore can't be
depended on. This episode also reveals that Odysseus is a good leader who can't keep his men under
control.
Almost all of the adventures in the Odyssey illustrate some aspect of Odysseus' character. What
specific characteristics are revealed in the episode of the Lotus-eaters?
Odysseus shows his loyalty and that he won't leave a man behind.
The Land of the Lotus Eaters has been said to symbolize escapism - that is withdrawal from reality to a
dream world. Do you agree?
I don't agree because Odysseus was very focused on getting the men and continuing their journey.
Why does Odysseus consider the Cyclopes barbarians?
Odysseus believed the Cyclopes were barbarians because they were tall, strong, and only had one
eye.
Hospitality to strangers is a theme that reoccurs throughout the Odyssey. The ancient Greeks believed
that the gods themselves sometimes came to earth disguised as humble strangers. How does the
Cyclops respond to Odysseus' plea for hospitality?
He gets angry because Odysseus asks for hospitality under the name of Zeus, but the Cyclops isn't
beholden to any god.
100% Pass
Why are Odysseus' men vulnerable when the Cicones attack?
They were drunk
What happens to the men who eat the Lotus plant?
They don't return to the ship, they want to stay forever and forget about their mission home.
Odysseus had to drag the men back to the ship
When the Cyclops asks about his ship, what does Odysseus tell him?
Odysseus tells the Cyclops that Poseidon broke his ship on the rocks. He does this so the Cyclops will
not have them leave.
Why does Odysseus refrain from killing the Cyclops?
Odysseus refrains from killing the Cyclops because he and his men are trapped inside the cave by a
giant stone which is too heavy for any man to move. The Cyclops is the only one who can move it. So
if he kills the Cyclops, he and his men will be stuck in the cave forever.
Why do none of the other Cyclopes come when Polyphemus cries for help?
He tells everyone that nobody has hurt him and that he is ok, so nobody will come.
Odysseus begins his narrative when he and his men set sail from Troy. What does this episode of the
Cicones reveal about Troy and his men?
It reveals that Odysseus' men are foolish, don't take their jobs seriously so therefore can't be
depended on. This episode also reveals that Odysseus is a good leader who can't keep his men under
control.
Almost all of the adventures in the Odyssey illustrate some aspect of Odysseus' character. What
specific characteristics are revealed in the episode of the Lotus-eaters?
Odysseus shows his loyalty and that he won't leave a man behind.
The Land of the Lotus Eaters has been said to symbolize escapism - that is withdrawal from reality to a
dream world. Do you agree?
I don't agree because Odysseus was very focused on getting the men and continuing their journey.
Why does Odysseus consider the Cyclopes barbarians?
Odysseus believed the Cyclopes were barbarians because they were tall, strong, and only had one
eye.
Hospitality to strangers is a theme that reoccurs throughout the Odyssey. The ancient Greeks believed
that the gods themselves sometimes came to earth disguised as humble strangers. How does the
Cyclops respond to Odysseus' plea for hospitality?
He gets angry because Odysseus asks for hospitality under the name of Zeus, but the Cyclops isn't
beholden to any god.
