Microsoft Word Revised Syllabus Ver doc

Literary devices of the Odyssey 
In the Odyssey, Homer employs most of the literary and poetic devises associated 
with epic like catalogs, digressions, long speeches, journeys or quests, various trails or tests 
of the hero, similes, metaphors and divine intervention. 
Elevated Language and meter 
Homer composed the Odyssey is a meter known as dactylic Hexameter, which gives 
the epic its elevated style. Each line has six material feet. “The first five feel may be made up 
of either dactyls or spondees. A dactyl is a metrical foot consisting of a long sound followed 
by two short sounds (BEEEEAT beat-beat). However a line is composed, the last metrical 
foot usually is a spondee (BEEEEAT BEEEEAT). 
The epic simile 
One of the devices used most effectively by Homer is the epic simile. A simile is a 
figure of speech in which two unlike things or concepts are shown to the similar for poetic 
purposes, often through the u se of the words ‘like’ or ‘as’. 
Epithets 
An epithet is term or phrase used to character the nature of a character, an object or an 
event. An epithet has become a cliche because of its excessive use in earlier translation of 
‘’The Odyssey is rosy - fingered Dawn”. 

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Questions: 
1. 
Is there any prominent theme in the epic Odyssey? if so, explain in detail? 
2. 
Briefly explain the literary devices used in the epic Odyssey? 
3. 
List out the important similes in the book XVI of Odyssey? 
4. 
Write about Allen Mandelbaum’s translation on Odyssey with reference to language? 
5. 
What is the purpose of many allusions to the legend about the homecoming of 
Agamemnon? 
6. 
How does Eumaeus welcome Telemachus? What simile is used to describe that 
welcome? Which line number does the simile begin on? On which line does it end line? 
7. 
What does Odysseus suggest should be done about the suitors? How does Telemachus 
respond? How did you expect him to respond? 
8. 
How does Telemachus react to his father’s return? Together, what do they plan? 
9. 
Look up the word anti in the dictionary. What does it mean? Connect the meaning to 
Antinous’ name, and then connect the meaning to the man. How is it appropriate that it 
is Antinous who wishes to kill Telemachus? How does Home inform us of a man’s 
character even before we know him? 
10. Eurymachus professes his loyalty and love to the queen. What, however, are his true 
intentions? Use an exact quote to support your answer. 
11. What is the significance of the watchdogs? 
12. How does Telemachus shows hospitality to strangers? 
13. Are there any elements of foreshadowing here? 
14. How does Telemachus explain the situation from his point of view? How is it different 
from Odysseus’ point of view? 
15. When Athena changes Odysseus back, why does Telemachus doubt? 

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16. Why does Odysseus want to know of the good girls and those who shame his house? 
What does he mean? 
17. Why does Penelope rebuke Antinous? What do we learn about Anutinous and his 
father? 
18. What do we learn of the suitors? 
19. Which of the suitors is most annoying, aggressive, ill-acting? Explain. 
20. What prompts Odysseus to revel his identity to Telemachus? 
21. Upon what errand does Telemachus send Eumaeus? 
22. How do the suitors learn of ‘Telemachus’ return? 

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