The Odyssey Group at eNotes

This question has been asked and answered already. You can find the...

Wed, 23 Jul 2008 19:23:18 PST

This question has been asked and answered already. You can find the answer by clicking on the link referenced below. Thank you, and good luck!

In Book III of "The Odyssey," what is Nestor's reaction when...

Wed, 23 Jul 2008 17:13:58 PST

This takes place in the scene where Nestor is talking to Telemachus, but I am just unsure of the reaction taking place. I would really appreciate any help. Thank you so much.

Odysseus burns an offering for the gods because there is an extra ram...

Fri, 18 Jul 2008 20:58:48 PST

Odysseus burns an offering for the gods because there is an extra ram left over after the men have divided up the Cyclops's sheep among them, and because Odysseus hopes that the gods will heed his sacrifice and protect him and his crew on their way home.When Odysseus and his men finally return to the island where they have left the rest of their ships, they divide the sheep they have stolen from the Cyclops among themselves, giving each man...

In the story of the Cyclops from "The Odyssey", why do...

Fri, 18 Jul 2008 12:32:44 PST

In the story of the Cyclops from "The Odyssey", why do Odysseus and his men burn an offering for the gods?

In Book 12, Circe warns Odysseus that he and his crew must beware the...

Tue, 15 Jul 2008 13:50:01 PST

In Book 12, Circe warns Odysseus that he and his crew must beware the Sirens and their bewitching songs because hearing the songs will make a man forget his home. He will be enticed by the beautiful music to stay and hear more until he dies. As a result, Odysseus tells his crew to plug their ears with wax to block out the sound, but he himself is tied to the mast of the ship so that he can hear the music but not respond to it in a way the...

Listening to the song of the Sirens would make a sailor forget what in...

Tue, 15 Jul 2008 11:56:01 PST

Listening to the song of the Sirens would make a sailor forget what in The Odyssey?

When Odysseus begins to tell his story to the king and queen of...

Mon, 14 Jul 2008 18:36:37 PST

When Odysseus begins to tell his story to the king and queen of Phaecaia, Alcinous and Arete, he tells them that when he left Troy after the end of the war, he commanded twelve ships. As he continues to share the tale of his journey, the number of ships will diminish.

In Book 8 when the Phaeacians hold games in honor of Odysseus, the...

Mon, 14 Jul 2008 18:24:51 PST

In Book 8 when the Phaeacians hold games in honor of Odysseus, the athletes ask Prince Laodamas, the favorite son of King Alcinous, to invite Odysseus to compete. Initially Odysseus declines, saying he has his mind on going home rather than on playing games, but when he is insulted by one of the brash young athletes who suggests that Odysseus is not capable of competing, Odysseus angrily snatches up a discus and flings it farther than anyone...

What contest does Odysseus win among the Phaeacians after being taunted...

Mon, 14 Jul 2008 17:53:34 PST

What contest does Odysseus win among the Phaeacians after being taunted that he is no athlete?

Achilles. He says this in Book XI, when Odysseus visit the underworld...

Mon, 14 Jul 2008 17:21:10 PST

Achilles. He says this in Book XI, when Odysseus visit the underworld and talks to the dead.

Who would rather be the lowest person on earth alive than rule over all...

Mon, 14 Jul 2008 17:10:28 PST

Who would rather be the lowest person on earth alive than rule over all the dead in "The Odyssey"?

How many ships does Odysseus start with when he leaves Troy?

Mon, 14 Jul 2008 16:55:48 PST

How many ships does Odysseus start with when he leaves Troy?

When Circe realizes that Odysseus is not going to succumb to her magic,...

Sun, 13 Jul 2008 15:47:14 PST

When Circe realizes that Odysseus is not going to succumb to her magic, she is shocked. She asks him who he is and where he is from, and tells him that never before has a man been able to withstand the power of the herbs she has given him. Circe concludes correctly that he is the reknowned hero Odysseus, about whose coming she has been forewarned by Hermes. Circe then asks that Odysseus put away his sword and come to bed with her; since...

In Greek mythology, Kharybdis or Charybdis was a sea monster, the...

Sun, 13 Jul 2008 09:17:02 PST

In Greek mythology, Kharybdis or Charybdis was a sea monster, the daughter of Poseidon and Gaia. She takes form as a monstrous mouth and swallows huge amounts of water three times a day before belching them back out again, creating whirlpools. Charybdis was originally a naiad, sea-nymph who stole Heracles' cattle until Zeus became angry, threw her into the sea and, as punishment, turned her into a sea monster.

This question has been asked and answered already. Please refer to the...

Sun, 13 Jul 2008 00:13:15 PST

This question has been asked and answered already. Please refer to the link referenced below. Thank you!

In Book 20 Odysseus prays to Zeus, asking for two omens, one from the...

Sat, 12 Jul 2008 21:15:27 PST

In Book 20 Odysseus prays to Zeus, asking for two omens, one from the mouth of someone in the house and one from the outside world. Zeus responds with a clap of thunder even though the day is sunny. One of the women outside grinding wheat hears the thunder and says she hopes it is a sign from Zeus that the day is the last one she will have to grind wheat to prepare bread for the suitors. When he hears her comment, Odysseus is assured that Zeus...

Charybdis is a whirlpool that sucks down water three times a day and...

Sat, 12 Jul 2008 21:01:38 PST

Charybdis is a whirlpool that sucks down water three times a day and then spews it back up three times a day. It is situated near Scylla, a six-headed monster that lives in a gray rock. Odysseus and his men must sail between these two dangers. Since the entire crew would perish if the ship were sucked down by Charybdis, Circe advises Odysseus to steer closer to Scylla because he will lose only six men to this monster. Although Odysseus doesn't...

In Book 19, Odysseus directs Telemachus to place the suitors' weapons...

Sat, 12 Jul 2008 20:43:20 PST

In Book 19, Odysseus directs Telemachus to place the suitors' weapons and armor in the storeroom. To explain this move to the suitors, Telemachus should tell the suitors that doing so will prevent the armor from being tarnished with the smoke and soot in the great hall. Secondly, Telemachus can also tell the suitors that they might become so drunk that they could use the weapons against each other so storing them will protect the suitors. Your...

What is the question that the Cyclops asks Odysseus that "puts him...

Sat, 12 Jul 2008 20:11:47 PST

What is the question that the Cyclops asks Odysseus that "puts him to the test" in "The Odyssey"?

What signs were sent by Zeus as omens signaling to Odysseus before test...

Sat, 12 Jul 2008 20:07:57 PST

What signs were sent by Zeus as omens signaling to Odysseus before test of the bow that his attach upone the suitors would succeed?