The Odyssey English 1 Packet Name Period 1
The Odyssey Unit Calendar Week of January 25-28 (No School Monday) Day Review Hero s Journey 1 Day Lit Books- Read Perseus 2 Mythology video Day RoM Chapter 15 Quiz 3 Mythology/Intro to Homer and The Odyssey Week of January 28-February 4 (Kairos gone days 2-3) Day Begin Reading The Odyssey Part I 1 Homer Begins His Tale, The Sweet Nymph Calypso, & I am Laertes Son (713-721) Day Reading The Odyssey Part I 2 The Lotus Eaters & Land of the Cyclopes (721-733) Day Read The Odyssey Part II 3 The Enchantress Circe & A Gathering of Shades (743-748) Day 4 RoM Chapter 16 Quiz Read The Odyssey Part II Beware the Sirens and Scylla and Charybdis (748-755) Week of February 7-11 Day Read The Odyssey Part II 1 Helios s Cattle (755-759) Day Read The Odyssey Part III 2 Homecoming & The Beggar at the Manor (765-771) Day Read The Odyssey Part III 3 The Test of the Bow & Death in the Great Hall (771-777) Day RoM Chapter 17 Quiz 4 Read The Odyssey Part III Odysseus Reunited with Penelope & The Sign of the Olive Tree (779-784) Week of February 14-17 (No School on Friday) Day The Odyssey Packets Due 1 The Odyssey Exam Day Essay Assignment 2 Day RoM Chapter 18 Quiz 3 Work on Essay Work on Part I Short Response Character of Odysseus worksheet Work on Part II Short Response Work on Part II Short Response Conflicts and Complications Finish Reading Work on Part III Short Response Finish Reading Work on Part III Short Response Finish Reading Characterization Worksheet Completed Packet due 1 next week Typed Essay Rough Draft Due Day 2 Submit to Turnitin.com for Peer Review Week of February 21-25 Day Work on Essay 1 Day 2 Turnitin.com Peer Review - Library 2 nd Turnitin.com Peer Review (done at home) Final Draft Due Day 4 Week of February 28 2
Part I Short Response Questions DIRECTIONS: Answer the following questions in complete sentences in the spaces provided. 1. Name the person for whom Odysseus pine[s] each day while being held captive in Calypso s cave. Describe what is strategic about Odysseus answer when Calypso asks if this person is more beautiful than she. 2. Identify the goddess who serves as Odysseus protector. Analyze why Homer selects that specific goddess as his hero s protector. 3. Recall what Odysseus says to the Cyclopes as his ship escapes. Critique Odysseus leadership skills and determine what kind of leader he is. Why does Odysseus gloat about his escape? Does he protect his crew to the best of his ability? Explain. 3
Literary Analysis: Characterization of Odysseus A writer creates and develops characters through characterization. In direct characterization, a writer makes direct comments about a character s nature and personality. In indirect characterization, it is up to you to draw conclusions about a character based on the character s appearance and what he or she says and does, as well as what other characters say and do in relation to that character. Much of Homer s characterization of Odysseus relies on indirect information from which you can draw conclusions about this epic hero. DIRECTIONS: Complete the following chart to examine how Odysseus is characterized in the episode with Polyphemus. The left column contains examples of what Odysseus says and does, as well as what other characters say and think about him. Use these details to examine what this information reveals about the character of Odysseus. The first one has been done for you. What Odysseus Says and Does / What Other Characters Say and Think About Odysseus 1. Odysseus brings along wine and food to the Cyclops cave. 2. Odysseus lies to Polyphemus about his ship being destroyed. What This Information Reveals About the Character of Odysseus Odysseus is a wise man because he knows that it is important to be well prepared by bringing food and drink. 3. After being attacked, Polyphemus removes the stone from the doorway and stands with his arms open, hoping to catch whoever tries to run out. Odysseus and his men escape by hiding under Polyphemus s sheep as they pass out of the door. 4. After they escape from Polyphemus, Odysseus and his men evenly divide up the flock sheep. The men believe that Odysseus should get the prized ram. 5. Odysseus reminds his men that he was able to keep his nerve and use his wits in order to escape from Polyphemus. 6. Odysseus taunts Polyphemus from the ship, causing the Cyclops to throw a large boulder towards them. 4
Part II Short Response Questions DIRECTIONS: Answer the following questions in complete sentences in the spaces provided. 1. Repeat Circe s recommendation regarding Odysseus ship passing Scylla and Charybdis. Determine why Odysseus chooses not to tell his men about Scylla. 2. Identify the advantage Odysseus has over his men in Part II. Differentiate between the role of Odysseus and his shipmates. What do the contrasts suggest about the role of the hero in an epic? 5
Analyze Literature: Conflict and Complications The central conflict of The Odyssey is the struggle of Odysseus and his men to journey safely home. The safety of the group is constantly threatened as it encounters complications, or obstacles, along the way. DIRECTIONS: As you read Part Two of The Odyssey, use the following chart to note the different complications Odysseus and his crew struggle against and how Odysseus handles each problem. Conflict and Complication Chart Conflict or Complication How Odysseus Handles the Problem 6
Extended Response Below, write an organized short essay in which you evaluate Odysseus as a leader. How would you rate him, and why? Can he be blamed for the terrible things that happen to his men? Give examples from Part Two that show his good or bad leadership or decision-making abilities. Use the notes from your chart to help you write. 7
Part III Short Response Questions DIRECTIONS: Answer the following questions in complete sentences in the spaces provided. 1. How is Odysseus disguised when he arrives in Ithaca? Why would Athena choose to disguise him? 2. Recall what the suitors tell Odysseus after he reveals himself. How does he respond? Identify why Homer has Odysseus kill the suitors before revealing his identity to Penelope. 3. What does it take for Penelope to believe that Odysseus is indeed her husband? Evaluate whether Penelope is justified in remaining unfriendly to him. Explain. 8
Analyzing Literature: Characterization DIRECTIONS: In the chart, list Odysseus characteristics both his strengths and weaknesses. Odysseus Strengths Odysseus Weaknesses Extended Response Using this chart, find a specific example of one of Odysseus strengths and one of his weaknesses. How is Odysseus a brave hero? In what ways does he let his weaknesses cause him trouble? Overall, do you think his strengths outweigh his weaknesses, or vice versa? 9