Rick Reads The Life's Work of an English Teacher

The Odyssey

Odyssey Quiz: Books I–IV

A reading quiz covers Books I through IV of the Odyssey.

By Rick Reed

Odyssey Homer Epic poetry Quiz

Version A

GREAT BOOKSMr. Reed

Quiz – The Odyssey (I–IV)

NameDatePer.

1.
Who is Odysseus’ divine patron?
2.
What is Odysseus’ relationship to Telemachos?
3.
Who is the wise old king of Pylos whom Telemachos visits first on his quest?
4.
Of the words listed at the bottom of the page, which means “in the middle of things”?
5.
Of the words listed at the bottom of the page, which means “a long list”?
6.
Which Greek moral code explains the treatment Telemachos receives from the kings he visits?
7.
What is Agamemnon’s relationship to Clytemnestra?
8.
Who is the rightful ruler of Ithaca?
9.
Which god sends Telemachos on his quest?
10.
What do the unwanted guests in Odysseus’ home desire?
  • ATHENA
  • CALYPSO
  • CATALOGUE
  • EPIC SIMILE
  • EPITHET
  • EURYCLEIA
  • HELEN
  • IN MEDIAS RES
  • INVOCATION
  • MENELAOS
  • MENTES
  • MENTOR
  • MUSE
  • NESTOR
  • PEISISTRATOS
  • POSEIDON

BONUS:

A.
If the first four books of the Odyssey were taken as an epic poem all by themselves, who would be the main character?

Version B

GREAT BOOKSMr. Reed

Quiz – The Odyssey (I–IV)

NameDatePer.

Since all names are provided somewhere on the quiz, correct spelling is required.

1.
Who has detained Odysseus for seven years on her island home?
2.
Of all the gods, who is Odysseus’ patron/protector? [This divine being also assumes disguises to encourage Telemachos to go on a quest of his own.]
3.
Of all the gods, who is Odysseus’ chief enemy?
4.
Who is Telemachos?
5.
Who is Penelopeia [Penelope]?
6.
What is the purpose of Telemachos’ quest?
7.
Who is the most immediate threat to the family of Odysseus at home? [You do not need a name here.]
8.
By what ruse (trick) has Penelope put off the suitors?
9.
What plan do they (#7) have in mind for Telemachos?
10.
Who is Helen?

BONUS:

A.
Name the two goddesses whom Paris rejected in the “divine beauty contest.”
B.

Version C

GREAT BOOKSMr. Reed

Quiz – The Odyssey (I–IV)

NameDatePer.

Since all names are provided somewhere on the quiz, correct spelling is required.

1.
Who is Odysseus’ divine antagonist?
2.
What is Odysseus’ relationship to Penelopeia?
3.
Who is the wealthy king of Lacedaimon whom Telemachos visits second on his quest?
4.
Which Greek moral code explains the treatment Aigisthos receives from Orestes (the son of the murdered Agamemnon)?
5.
What is Clytemnestra’s relationship to Orestes?
6.
Who is the rightful ruler of Ogygia?
7.
Who - among the gods - begs Zeus to command Odysseus’ release?
8.
Who does Calypso want?
9.
Which word listed below means “prayer for aid”?
10.
Which word listed below means “a stock word or phrase inseparably associated with a character”?
  • ATHENA
  • CALYPSO
  • CATALOGUE
  • EPIC SIMILE
  • EPITHET
  • EURYCLEIA
  • HELEN
  • IN MEDIAS RES
  • INVOCATION
  • MENELAOS
  • MENTES
  • MENTOR
  • MUSE
  • NESTOR
  • PEISISTRATOS
  • POSEIDON

BONUS:

A.
If the first four books of the Odyssey were alone an epic, who would be the main character?

Version D

GREAT BOOKSMr. Reed

Quiz – Odyssey I–IV

NameDatePer.

1.
List four (4) of the eight epic conventions—not characteristics. [use blanks 1–4.]
2.
3.
4.
5.
Who detains Odysseus for seven years on her island?
6.
Of all the gods, who is Odysseus’ chief enemy?
7.
Of all the gods, who is Odysseus’ patron/protector?
8.
Who is Telemachos?
9.
Who is Penelopeia [Penelope]?
10.
Who assumes disguises to encourage Telemachos to go on a quest of his own?
11.
What is the purpose of Telemachos’ quest?
12.
Who is the most immediate threat to the family of Odysseus at home? [You do not need a name here.]
13.
By what ruse (trick) has Penelope put off their demands?
14.
What do they plan for Telemachos?
15.
Who is Helen?

BONUS:

A.
What is the epithet for Pylos?
B.
What is the epithet for Lacedaimon?

Version E

GREAT BOOKSMr. Reed

Quiz – The Odyssey (I–IV)

NameDatePer.

Read passages 1–4. Then, use the lettered items here to identify the epic conventions represented in each passage.

  • A. cataloguing
  • B. descent into the underworld
  • C. epic simile
  • D. epithet
  • E. in medias res
  • AB. invocation of divine inspiration
  • AC. protagonist’s long, formal speeches
  • AD. statement of theme in the invocation
1.
Tell me muse, of the man of many ways; who was driven far journeys, after he had sacked Troy’s sacred citadel.
2.
This is the story of a man, one who was never at a loss.
3.
they will give you a quick passage to sandy Pylos
4.
At the time when I begin, all the others who had not been killed in the war were at home, safe from the perils of battle and sea: but he was alone, longing to get home to his wife.

Use the next set of lettered items to answer the remaining questions.

  • A. Agamemnon
  • B. Antinoos
  • C. Aphrodite
  • D. Apollo
  • E. Athena
  • AB. Calypso
  • AC. Circe
  • AD. Clytaimnestra
  • AE. Eurymachos
  • BC. Helen
  • BD. Hermes
  • BE. Menelaos
  • CD. Nestor
  • CE. Penelopeia
  • DE. Poseidon
  • ABC. Telemachos
  • ABD. Zeus
5.
Who has detained Odysseus for seven years on an island?
6.
Of all the gods, who is Odysseus’ enemy?
7.
Of all the gods, who is Odysseus’ patron/protector?
8.
Who is Odysseus’ son?
9.
Who is Odysseus’ wife?
10.
Who is the first king whom Odysseus’ son visits - the king of sandy Pylos?
  • A. Agamemnon
  • B. Antinoos
  • C. Aphrodite
  • D. Apollo
  • E. Athena
  • AB. Calypso
  • AC. Circe
  • AD. Clytaimnestra
  • AE. Eurymachos
  • BC. Helen
  • BD. Hermes
  • BE. Menelaos
  • CD. Nestor
  • CE. Penelopeia
  • DE. Poseidon
  • ABC. Telemachos
  • ABD. Zeus
11.
Who is the second king whom Odysseus’ son visits - the king of sunny Lacedaimon?
12.
Who is that king’s (#11) famous wife?
13.
Who appears as Mentes, Mentor, and a sea-osprey?
14.
Who has woven a shroud for three years, unravelling it at night?
15.
Who is the intended victim of a murder plot?