Open-ended Odyssey - Lotus Eater (1) & Cyclops (2)

Section 1:

Who did Odysseus send to explore the island?

Explain what happened to them in 3 complete sentences.

What danger do the Lotus-Eaters pose to Odysseus’ men in the excerpt from

the Odyssey, Part 1?

• The Lotus-Eaters offer the men the Lotus plant, which causes them to

  lose interest in returning home.

• The Lotus-Eaters are dishonest and try to mislead the crew about the

  route home.

• Familiarity with the Lotus-Eaters is dangerous because they are

  cannibals.

• The Lotus-Eaters deliberately cause the winds to subside.

Section 1:

Did the scouts stay with the Lotus eaters?

Explain why or why not. (3 sentences)

Section 2:

In the excerpt from the Odyssey, Part 1, why does Odysseus blind Cyclops

rather than kill him in his sleep?

• Odysseus and his men lack the physical strength to kill the giant.

• Odysseus’ heart is moved by compassion for the foolish Cyclops.

• Odysseus and his men need Cyclops to move the stone that blocks the

  cave’s entrance.

• Odysseus’ men convince him that Poseidon will curse them if they kill

  any of the Cyclopes.

At the end of the episode with Cyclops in the excerpt from the Odyssey, Part 1,

what does Polyphemus do that affects future events in the epic?

• He destroys Odysseus’ ship.

• He prophesies that Odysseus will visit Hades.

• He begs his father, Poseidon, to curse Odysseus.

• He tells Odysseus that he will chase him back to Ithaca.

What values important to the ancient Greeks inspire Odysseus’ observations in these lines from the excerpt from the Odyssey, Part 1?

• admiration for devotion to one’s religion

• admiration for physical size, strength, and power

• admiration for agriculture, law, tradition, and social organization

• admiration for a natural, pure life and surviving by one’s instincts

Section 2:

How does the Cyclops feel about Zeus and the gods? How do you know?

Explain (3 complete sentences.)