The Odyssey

Which of the following statements best describes Odysseus at the beginning of the epic?

• He is the captain of a ruthless pirate fleet

• He is an outcast leader and hates all human beings

• He is the leader of a homeward-bound Greek fleet

• He is the luckless son of Poseidon and a nymph

A mild danger, the lotus, is to be avoided because anyone who eats it

• Yearns only to go home

• Loses courage

• Is transformed into an animal

• Wishes to stay in the land of the lotus forever

Odysseus wishes to visit the land of the Cyclopes to

• Steal their treasure

• Test his strength against theirs

• Satisfy his curiosity

• Ask for their help

Odysseus’ men want only to steal Polyphemus’ cheeses and sheep and quickly sail away. Why?

• They have been warned to avoid giants

• They know the Polyphemus is a cannibal

• They are coming from war and want to take things, but they don’t want to linger with a monster

• They have lost heart and are cowardly

All of the following statements about Polyphemus are correct except

• He lives in a huge cave with his goats & sheep

• He barricades the entrance each night to keep the flocks in

• He makes cheese from the milk of his ewes (female sheep)

• He sells his cheeses to sailors and Greek merchants

Odysseus first wishes to kill the sleeping Polyphemus with his sword. Why doesn’t he?

• Polyphemus almost never sleeps

• Polyphemus is protected by magic from swords

• Odysseus is afraid to attack Polyphemus

• With Polyphemus dead, nobody will be able to open the cave door

Why does Odysseus put out Polyphemus’ one eye?

• It is the cruelest revenge he can think of

• It is the only possible way to kill the giant

• He may then give the Greeks freedom in exchange for his life

• Blinded, he will not see the Greeks escaping

Odysseus and his surviving comrades escape from the cave

• By brute force

• With cleverness and strategy

• By telling lies

• With the help of the gods

To judge from the adventure with Polyphemus, Odysseus is all of the following EXCEPT

• Clever and curious

• Proud and determined

• Modest and mild-tempered

• Brave and bold

Who is wise enough to escape from Circe's house and spells?

• Odysseus

• Polites

• Elpinor

• Eureylochus