Book 5: The Gods agree that Odysseus has endured enough on Ogygia and send Hermes/Argeïphontes to fly down and deliver their message to Calypso so that Odysseus can go home.
Book 6: Nausicaä and her maids find Odysseus while washing their clothing. Nausicaä invites Odysseus back to her palace to meet her father so that he may return home safely.
Book 7: Odysseus enters the Palace of Alcinoös who welcomes Odysseus into his house. He speaks with Odysseus and sees that he must be granted a safe voyage home with whatever he desires and his citizens will cater to him.
Book 8: Before Odysseus leaves, events, games, and art activities are happening around the island. Odysseus cries at the tale of a minstrel which causes Alcinoös to divert his attention towards the sports. Odysseus is challenge and upon his delcine, insulted. Once offended, Odysseus proves himself and throws a stone farther than anyone had ever done so on the island.
THEME: ~-~-~-~-~-~ Hospitality: Hospitality is seen in each chapter as Alcinoös/Nausicaä both happily invite Odysseus to stay in the their palace. They treat him with great respect and try to cater to his needs and give him as much entertainment as possible.
1) Odysseus encounters the Ciconians after leaving Troy. How did his men not listen to him? What is the result of this?
His men stayed in the city after all the men were killed. This gave the survivors time to seek help from neighbouring lands who were fierce warriors and easily outnumbered Odysseus's crew. Due to this, they were ambushed the next day while his men sat drinking wine and eating the livestock. Six men-at-arms from each vessel were killed but they managed to escape on their ships.
2) Who were the Lotus Eaters? What happens to Odysseus’ men after they ate some of the lotus?
Natives of an island that Odysseus and his crew end up being blown by the wind to. They offer some of his men some of the lotus 'flowers' which causes their memories and determination to get home to fade away. Because of this, Odysseus has to drag them back to the ship and lock them up to continue their voyage.
3) How did Odysseus and his men get trapped in the Cyclops’ lair? Why couldn’t they get out after the Cyclops went to sleep?
They went into the cave and helped themselves to all of the Cyclops's goodies. But he came back in and scared the men into a corner and placed a huge stone over the entrance that none of them could move, thus trapping them.
4) What is the “Stranger’s Gift” that the Cyclops gives to Odysseus? How does this break the “law” of hospitality? How many men does the Cyclops eat?
There was food and livestock everywhere in the cave that the men thought they would be able to be given by the Cyclops. However, the Cyclopians feel that they are stronger than the gods (according to this one in particular.) and instead of being hospitable to these strangers, he takes two of the men and kills them, smashes them up, cuts them open, and eats them for dinner.
5) How does Odysseus trick the Cyclops?
Tells the drunken Cyclops that his name is 'Nobody' so that when he stabs it in the eye with the staff, the Cyclops shouts 'Nobody's killing me!' causing the neighbours to not worry about him.
6) Where does Odysseus’ pride work against him?
He feels so proud that he had outwitted the Cyclops and he wants him to know exactly who he for he lacks the knowledge that Polyphemos is the son of Poseidon. His specific information that he gives the Cyclops is then translated to Poseidon by Polyphemos's prayer. Due to this, Odysseus and his men are to never return home.
7) Why was the gift of Aiolos ruined? What theme does this back up?
Because the men didn't know what was in the bag and had assumed it to be treasure. They felt left out because they had followed Odysseus around this whole journey and had come back without any spoils of war. They get curious when Odysseus finally falls asleep and open the bag, blowing the ship back to Aiolia.
8) What happened with the Laistrygonians?
They were big giants and when they sought after the king, a giant horde of the Laistrygonians started throwing rocks and slaughtering Odysseus's men.
9) Who lived on the island of AIAIA?
Circé, goddess and daughter of Helios.
10) What did Circe turn Odysseus’ men into?
Men with Pig Heads!!! :(
11) How did Odysseus overcome Circe? With who’s help?
He takes a drug that protects him from Circé's spell and with Hermés's instructions, he overcomes her when he charges at her with his sword.
12) How long did Odysseus stay with Circe?
A Year
