Study Questions for Assignment 9 Odyssey, Books 17-24
Be prepared to summarize each Book.
Book 17
- What do the episodes of Melanthios striking Odysseus by the spring, and Antinoos striking Odysseus in his house contribute to the plot?
- Describe the episode of Argos, the dog. What does this contribute to the story?
Book 18
- Lines 125-156 What does this speech of Odysseus suggest about his character?
- Lines 346-348 What do this suggest about Homer's view of the
relationship between divine control and human responsibility? Why does Athene provoke the suitors this way? See also 20.284-286
Book 19
- How does Eurykleia almost give Odysseus away?
- What is Penelope's dream of the geese and what is Odysseus's
interpretation?
Book 20
- What is Theoklymenes' vision in 345-357, and how do the suitors react to it? Why?
Book 21
- Describe the contest of the bow.
Book 22
- Describe the battle.
- Why does Odysseus punish the servants so harshly?
- Lines 407-417 What does Odysseus's rebuke of Eurykleia suggest about his code of ethics?
Book 23
- How does Penelope prove Odysseus's identity?
Book 24
- What purpose do you think the scene in the Underworld serves?
- How does Laertes prove Odysseus's identity?
- What do you think of the ending of the Book?
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