Odyssey Book 19 (1-248)

Odyssey Book 19 (1-248)

Task 1: Odyssey Books 11-18

• In pairs, research what has happened in Books 11-18 (use summaries ... don't try to read it all!)
• Come up with 12 key plot points that you think summarise the content best
• Be ready to share what you came up with!

Now let's read Book 19!

(lines 1-200)

Odysseus and Telemachus

Where is Odysseus now?

Which god is helping him?

Who is Telemachus?

What plan does Odysseus come up with? What will Telemachus tell the Suitors?

Who is Eurycleia

What do Odysseus and Telemachus do now?

Who helps them and how?

What epithets are given to Odysseus in lines 40-51? What do they mean?

Give two ways Penelope is now described. How does this present her?

What does Melantho now do? Why is this?

What does Odysseus' reply to her tell us about the custom of xenia?

What epithets are
Odysseus and Penelope now given?
(lines 90-106)

How does Odysseus flatter Penelope?

What does he say about his own grief?

What does Penelope now tell Odysseus about: the suitors

What does Penelope now tell Odysseus about: her xenia

What does Penelope now tell Odysseus about: Odysseus himself

What trick did Penelope play on the Suitors? (lines 137-155)

Odysseus is now given another epithet: what is it? (line 166)

What does Odysseus now tell Penelope about where he comes from?

What does Odysseus now tell Penelope about how he has met Odysseus?

Where do we see the concept of xenia again in this story?

What two similes are now used to describe both Penelope and Odysseus?

Describe Odysseus' outfit (lines 220-235).

What effect does Odysseus' story have on Penelope?
What do you think of this?