Reference no: EM133330687

The Odyssey titled, "Circe, the Grace of the Witch" and "The Land of the Dead" from pages 386-391 and respond questions:

Book 10: Circe, the Grace of the Witch p. 386-387

Question 1. Synopsis: Based on the synopsis what has happened since Odysseus and his men left the island of the Cyclopes. How is the Cyclops's curse already being fulfilled?

Question 2. Lines 1-11: Epic similes can help you gain insight into setting, characters, and events in the poem. Explain what is being compared in these lines. What ideas about the character of Circe and future plot events are suggested by this simile?

Question 3. Lines 19-38: Why does Polites feel that Circe poses no threat? What makes Eurylochus fear "a snare"?

Question 4. Synopsis: The structure of an epic includes multiple plots that create an action-packed
story. Why must Odysseus go to the land of the dead? What does his willingness to do this show about his character?

Book 11: The Land of the Dead p. 388-391

Question 5. Lines 1-23: When Odysseus arrives at the Land of the Dead, he sees many ghosts or spirits of those who have died. To protect himself and calm them, he makes an animal sacrifice and promises to make animal sacrifices to them once he returns home to Ithaca. He crouches down and holds his bloody sword in front of him as protection from the spirits. Explain what Odysseus' efforts to assuage the dead reveal about the Greek view
of the afterlife.

Question 6. Lines 36-54: Every culture has certain rituals and customs for treating the dead. What does Elpenor's request suggest about the Greek view of the dead?

Question 7. Lines 77-117: An epic hero's fate is often of great importance to the gods and to the hero's homeland. Lines 77-117 contain the prophecy that Odysseus hears from Tiresias, the blind prophet. Explain whether or not this prophecy will come true. Why or why not?

Question 8. Which parts of the prophecy depend on the actions of Odysseus and his men? What does the prophecy's structure reveal about the Greek view of fate?

Question 9. Synopsis: How might Odysseus' conversation with his mother affect his desire to return home?

Question 10. Examine Symbolism: A theme running through many epics involves the hero's descent to the underworld. What does the underworld represent? By returning from the underworld, what has the hero overcome? Write a brief paragraph explaining the symbolism of the hero's visit to the underworld.