What are good questions to ask about The Odyssey?

The Odyssey Questions

• In a world governed by the gods, is there any room for human will?
• What kind of religion do the characters in The Odyssey seem to have?
• What does justice mean for the people in The Odyssey?
• The people in The Odyssey have no problem boasting, but they also warn against excessive pride.

What is Andra in The Odyssey?

Andra—“man”—is The Odyssey’s first word. Instead of referring to the epic’s hero by name, it evokes a stark nakedness, the state to which he will so often be reduced in the tale that unfolds.

Does Odysseus sleep with Circe?

Odysseus refuses unless she meets his conditions: Circe must turn his men whom she earlier transformed into pigs back into humans, and she must promise never to use her magic to harm him. Once they strike a bargain, Odysseus sleeps with Circe.

What is the first word in the Odyssey?

The Odyssey is a character-focused epic poem. The first word of The Odyssey in the original Greek text is andra, which means “man.” (By contrast, the first word of The lliad is menin, meaning wrath.)

Is it the Odyssey or Odyssey?

The Odyssey (/ˈɒdɪsi/; Ancient Greek: Ὀδύσσεια, romanized: Odýsseia, Attic Greek: [o. dýs. seː. a]) is one of two major ancient Greek epic poems attributed to Homer.

What does the Cyclops represent in The Odyssey?

Polyphemus is the only Cyclops that is described in detail in the Odyssey. He is the king of the Cyclopes on his island. The singular eye of the Cyclopes in the Odyssey seems to represent the foolishness of a singular focus without taking other perspectives and consequences into account.

How did Odysseus get his name?

(19.440-48) Odysseus’ name is related to the Greek verb odussomai, which usually means “to be angry at,” “to hate,” or “to be grieved.” However, as George Dimock points out, in Homer’s Odyssey the verb usually means “to cause pain” or “to bear a grudge against.” Thus, Odysseus’ name means “he who causes pain or makes …