27. Study Questions Copy
1. Read the following excerpt and then answer the questions.
On entering his fine palace, they found his wife there, massive as a mountaintop, and they were shocked. She called her husband, mighty Antiphates, straight from their gathering place, and he embarked on their cruel destruction. He promptly seized one of my men, and prepared to eat him, while the other two sprang up and fled to the ships.
Odyssey Book 10 111-16
Two from: they had opened the bag of winds – releasing them all – Aeolus refused further help. Allowed – no wind/insufficient wind – 1 mark Not allowed – wind was unfavourable – rowing was faster
Daughter of Antiphates/chief/girl collecting water
B (Laestrygonians)
The ships were trapped close together in the harbour which made it difficult to escape quickly/ as the exit was only a narrow channel, Laestrygonians were powerful and hurled large rocks down onto the ships from the cliffs above. Those who were not killed by the rocks were speared by the Laestrygonians and taken off to be eaten.
2. Read this passage, then answer the question
‘Lord Alcinous, most illustrious of men, it is a fine thing, in truth, to hear a bard such as this, with a godlike voice. I say myself there is nothing more delightful than when all the people feel this joy, and the banqueters sit in their rows, listening to the minstrel in the hall, tables in front of them laden with meat and bread, while the steward pours wine from the bowl, and carries it round and fills the cups. It seems the loveliest thing of all to me.
But your heart prompts you to ask of my sad troubles and make me weep and groan the more. How shall I start and end my tale? First let me give you my name, so you all know, and if I escape from pitiless fate later, I will play host to you, though I live far off. I am Odysseus, Laertes’ son, known to all for my stratagems, and my fame has reached the heavens. My home is under Ithaca’s clear skies: our Mount Neriton, clothed with whispering forest is visible from afar: and clustered round it are many isles, Dulichium and Same and wooded Zacynthus. Ithaca itself lies low in the sea, furthest towards the west, while the others are separate, towards the dawn and the rising sun. It’s a rugged land, but nurtures fine young men: and speaking for myself I know nothing sweeter than one’s own country. Calypso, the lovely goddess, kept me there in her echoing caves, because she wished me for her husband, and in the same way Circe, the Aeaean witch, detained me in her palace, longing to make me hers: but they failed to move my heart. Surely nothing is sweeter than a man’s own parents and country, even though he lives in a wealthy house, in a foreign land far from those parents.
Odyssey Book 9. 1-32
Check that you have made 5 points.
