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Translator's Reckoning with the Women in the Odyssey

Total questions: 15

Worksheet time: 9mins

Name
Class
Date
1.

What is the significance of the translation of the Odyssey mentioned in the text in terms of women's empowerment?

a)

It is the first version translated by a man.

b)

It is the first version translated by a woman.

c)

It is the first version translated into French.

d)

It is the first version translated into Latin.

2.

What is the nature of the marriage between Odysseus and Penelope as described?

a)

Based on wealth

b)

A partnership of intellectual equals

c)

A forced union

d)

A temporary arrangement

3.

What does the poem contrast between Odysseus and Penelope?

a)

Fantasy and realism

b)

Strength and weakness

c)

Love and hate

d)

Joy and sorrow

4.

What does Homer's original text say about Penelope's tears?

a)

Her heart melted.

b)

Her skin or flesh melted.

c)

Her eyes streamed.

d)

Her cheeks blushed.

5.

What does the translator want the reader to feel about the powerlessness of women in the English translation?

a)

Indifference to women's struggles.

b)

A sense of humor about the situation.

c)

A connection with women's challenges.

d)

A detachment from the story.

6.

What is Penelope explaining to Odysseus when she says, "I armed myself long ago against the frauds of men, impostors who might come-and all those many whose underhanded ways bring evil on!" in the context of the powerlessness women often feel in protecting themselves from deceitful men?

a)

why she chose to let him sleep alone

b)

why she felt the need to test him

c)

why she remained faithful to him

d)

why she let the suitors into her home

7.

What significant event is associated with the northwest coast of Asia Minor?

a)

The rise of the Greek city-states

b)

The Trojan War

c)

The birth of democracy

d)

The Olympic Games

8.

By bragging about his name, Odysseus displayed the flaw of

a)

cowardice

b)

gluttony

c)

pride

d)

envy

9.

Choose the five correct statements that characterize Odysseus.

10.

In TWO or more sentences, answer the following question.

What does Odysseus's escape plan show us about his character?

Remember to use the A. C. E. method (Answer the question; Cite evidence from the text; Explain your answer.)

4 lines
11.

17. Which sentence from paragraph 39 BEST shows how proud Odysseus is of his cleverness? Choose ONE.

a)

Sentence A. And off they went, while I laughed to myself at the way in which my cunning notion of a false name had taken them in.

b)

Sentence B. The Cyclops, still moaning in agonies of pain, groped about with his hands and pushed the rock away from the mouth of the cave.

c)

Sentence C. Then he sat himself down in the doorway and stretched out both arms in the hope of catching us in the act of slipping out among the sheep

d)

Sentence D. What a fool he must have thought me! Meanwhile I was cudgelling my brains for the best possible course, trying to hit on some way of saving my friends as well as myself.

e)

Sentence F. I thought up plan after plan, scheme after scheme. It was a matter of life or death: we were in mortal peril.

12.

Which of the following is a theme of the Odyssey?

a)

The value of time with family.

b)

Strength & cleverness conquers all.

c)

Death can unite a kingdom.

d)

Do not trust anyone.

13.

Choose all themes that are explored in the Epic poem, The Odyssey

a)

Gods hear our prayers

b)

Gods watch over us

c)

Gods help but mortals must do the work

d)

all answers

14.
to take revenge on behalf of...
a)
avenge
b)
indifferent
c)
disdain
d)
guile
15.

In ancient Greece, women had limited power and influence. During this time, The Odyssey was composed sometime between...

a)

700 A.D. and 900 A.D.

b)

1700-1900 A.D.

c)

900 B.C. - 700 B.C.

d)

100 B.C. - 50 B.C.

e)

25 A.D. - 150 A.D.