Ithaka

The narrator tells the traveler that what is important is not Ithaka, the island home that was the goal of Odysseus's years of wandering, it was...

• the journey itself

• the defeat of the Cyclops and the Laistrygonians

• his determination to see his wife

• The joy of defeating Poseidon

The poet suggests that _________ may be disappointing.

• defeating his rivals

• the end goal

• the struggle along the way

• his life

Where is Ithaka located?

• off the west coast of Greese

• Off the east coast of Greese

• in the oddessy

• located in Troy

What are the obstacles Odysseus encountered?

• Laistrygonians

• Cyclops

• Polyphemus

• Poseidon

Who is Polyphemus?

• a Cyclops

• a Laistrygonian

• a friend of Odysseus

• one of Odysseus's men

In the Odyssey, why was Poseidon angry with Odysseus?

• Odysseus had blinded Polyphemus.

• Odysseus ruled over Ithaka

• He claimed Odysseus stole Penelope from him.

• Odysseus's journey would cause him to travel through the sea.

Why does the poet say, If the traveler keeps his thoughts "raised high" he will never encounter any challenge resembling those monsters?

• He won't have time to think about monsters.

• He will never have to loose sleep worrying about fighting the monsters.

• It is always necessary to be optimistic and hopeful

What does the poet mean In lines 8-11, when he repeats the same idea: Laistrygonians, Cyclops, or Poseidon will not appear as long as the traveler's spirit and body are stirred by "rare excitement?"

• The traveler must always continue to experience the thrill of being alive.

• The traveler must show excitement each time he sees a monster.

• The traveler must not think about the monsters he encounters.

In stanza three, the poet says the traveler must always keep Ithaka in mind because it is the final destination; however do not hurry the journey. What does he mean?

• It is better that the traveler is old by the time he reaches home.

• It is better for the traveler to be wealthy from all he has accumulated on his travels.

• He will not expect Ithaka to make him rich.

• Don't rush the journey; you may find a new life along the way.

The poet emphasizes that if the traveler, having arrived home in Ithaka, finds it to be a poor place, it does not mean that Ithaka has been deceptive. What does it mean?

• The traveler has not been fooled because he will have become wise and full of experience.

• He will know what is meant by Ithaka, and by all destinations--all Ithakas--that people strive to reach.

• He will have learned that the prize is all in the experience.

• He will know that there is no such thing as Ithaka.