The Odyssey Part II Study Guide

The Odyssey Part II study guide

Father and Son

1. How is Odysseus disguised as he returns home?

Who has disguised him?

2. What does Athena tell Telemachus?

3. Why does the swineherd visit Eumaeus?

4. What important Greek value is revealed

in the way Telemachus and Eumaeus

treat the “beggar”?

5. How does Telemachus react after Athena transforms

the beggar into Odysseus?

6. How many years has it been since Odysseus has been home?

7. Lines 102-106 contain an epic (Homeric) simile.

To what are the cries of Odysseus and

Telemachus compared?

The Beggar at the Manor

1. Who is Argos? What does he symbolize?

2. How has Argos been treated? What happens to him?

3. What does the scene with Argos

reveal about Odysseus’s character?


4. What example of dramatic irony can be found in this scene?

5. At this point does Eumaeus know the identity of the beggar?

The Test of the Bow

1. What does the “beggar” tell Penelope about Odysseus?

2. Read the italicized passage at the top of p. 1250.

What qualities does Penelope reveal about

herself through her actions?

3.What is Penelope’s reaction when seeing

Odysseus’s bow after all these years?

4. Describe Penelope’s test for her suitors.


5. Why does Odysseus decide to reveal his identity

to two men before he strings his bow?

Who are they?


6. Which god does the cowherd invoke?

7. Why is Penelope’s acceptance of the beggar

as a suitor ironic?


8. Which epithet is used for Odysseus here?

9. Which epithet is used for Zeus here?

Death in the Great Hall

1. Who is the most hostile suitor?

What happens to him?

2. Which god does Odysseus call upon?

3. What simile is used to describe the downfall

of one of the suitors on line 17-20?

4. What is Eurymachus’ reaction to this act?

5. List two precautions Odysseus takes that make

it nearly impossible to

“fight their way out or run for it”.


6. Describe the appearance of Athena’s shield.

What effect does it have on the suitors?


7. Retell what happens to the suitors because they

abused the value of hospitality.

The Trunk of the Olive Tree

1. Why does Penelope test Odysseus?

2. How does she know he is truly her husband?

3. What does Penelope mean when she refers to

her “stiff heart” (line 80)?