TED Ed - Everything you need to know to read The Odyssey

When did the Greek alphabet first appear?

• 1000 CE

• 8th century BCE

• 2nd century BCE

• No one knows for sure

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Which of the following elements helped the rhapsodes remember and recite the poem?

• Stories that were familiar to audiences

• Organizing the poem into sections

• Memorized passages, or “set pieces”

• The fact that "Odyssey" is a sequel to "Iliad"

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Which of the following themes unites both "Iliad" and "Odyssey"?

• The kindness of strangers

• The exemplary leadership of Achilles

• The strength of the Greek city-state

• Characters’ hubris in thinking themselves superior to the gods

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What is xenia?

• Wrath of the gods

• Excessive pride

• A code of hospitality

• The specific meter used by the rhapsodes

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Which god has hindered Odysseus’ journey home?

• Poseidon

• Athena

• Aphrodite

• Zeus

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Recall that the poem begins in medias res, in the middle of things. From a narrative standpoint, what are some benefits of beginning in this fashion?

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In addition to the ancient Greeks, the ancient Romans also had a code of hospitality like xenia, called hospitium. What do you think were some of the challenges of such a code, and do you think a code like this would benefit our society today?

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The oral tradition of "Iliad" and "Odyssey" make these stories cultural, communal, entertainment experiences. Since Homer’s time, in what ways has public, communal entertainment changed?

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