THE ODYSSEY Book I Review

 

Performance Indicators:

Reading Analysis: Cite strong and thorough textual
evidence to support analysis of what the text says explicitly as well as
inferences drawn from the text, including determining where the text leaves matters uncertain.

 

Reading Craft and Structure: Determine an author’s point of view or purpose in a text in which the rhetoric is particularly effective, analyzing how style and content contribute to the power, persuasiveness or beauty of a text.

B. Analyze the plot and/or design of the text, following shifts in time and place.

 

The translation of The Odyssey into English is imprecise in part due to the adaptation of the original epic poetic verse into prose in many contemporary English translations.  Without a foundation of knowledge about Greek mythology and history, the reader is further deprived of essential understanding as many of the characters’ names and the locations are, of course, foreign.

In order to assist you in your comprehension of the reading, focus your attention on the characters and the region of Greece that they are from.  Separate humans from gods and compile a third category of creatures that provide the protagonist, Odysseus, with hardships in his quest to return to his family.  The quizzes will emphasize these characters and locations that are essential to the reader’s understanding of the story.


Y
ou may find that the following study guide questions are helpful in guiding your comprehension of the material.

Book I
Book II 
Book III