The Odyssey Unit Quiz

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  • 1/15 Questions

    What is Odysseus's destination after the Trojan War?

    • Home to Ithaca
    • The land of the Cyclopes
    • Olympus, where the gods live
    • Sparta, to see Menelaus
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About This Quiz

This quiz assesses knowledge on 'The Odyssey', focusing on Odysseus's journey post-Trojan War, encounters with Polyphemus, and leadership traits. It evaluates understanding of plot details and character analysis, essential for students of classic Greek literature.

The Odyssey Quizzes & Trivia

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  • 2. 

    By proudly informing Polyphemus of his true name and the fact that he and his men have escaped, Odysseus clearly

    • Pleases his men

    • Impresses his men

    • Endangers his men

    • Acts to shorten his journey home

    Correct Answer
    A. Endangers his men
    Explanation
    By revealing his true name and the fact that they have escaped, Odysseus puts his men in danger. Polyphemus, the Cyclops, is angered by this revelation and seeks revenge. This endangers Odysseus' men as they become the target of Polyphemus' wrath. Odysseus' decision to disclose this information puts his crew at risk and jeopardizes their safety.

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  • 3. 

    In the struggle between Odysseus and the suitors, Odysseus refuses to

    • Take aid.

    • Kill anyone.

    • Show mercy and forgiveness.

    • Harm the suitors.

    Correct Answer
    A. Show mercy and forgiveness.
    Explanation
    In the struggle between Odysseus and the suitors, Odysseus chooses to show mercy and forgiveness. Despite the suitors' disrespectful behavior and attempts to take over his home, Odysseus does not seek revenge or harm them. Instead, he opts for a more compassionate approach, giving them a chance to repent for their actions. This decision highlights Odysseus' moral character and his desire for a peaceful resolution rather than further violence.

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  • 4. 

    Which of the following helps Odysseus to defeat Polyphemus?

    • Calling on the god Poseidon

    • Telling Polyphemus that his name is Nohbdy

    • Offering Polyphemus's ram as a sacrifice to Zeus

    • Leaving men behind when he goes to Polyphemus's cave

    Correct Answer
    A. Telling Polyphemus that his name is Nohbdy
    Explanation
    Odysseus defeats Polyphemus by telling him that his name is "Nohbdy." By giving a false name, Odysseus tricks Polyphemus into believing that no one is harming him. This allows Odysseus to blind Polyphemus and escape from the cave.

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  • 5. 

    Odysseus is told to sail closer to the Scylla than to Charybdis so that

    • No harm will come to Odysseus's men.

    • Odysseus will not be harmed.

    • Harm will come to fewer of Odysseus's men.

    • Odysseus won't be tempted to fight against fate.

    Correct Answer
    A. Harm will come to fewer of Odysseus's men.
    Explanation
    Sailing closer to Scylla than to Charybdis would result in harm coming to fewer of Odysseus's men. Scylla is a six-headed monster that would snatch and devour any sailors passing too close, while Charybdis is a massive whirlpool that would swallow the entire ship. By choosing to face Scylla, Odysseus sacrifices a few of his men to save the rest from the certain destruction that Charybdis would bring. This decision minimizes the overall harm and maximizes the chances of survival for the majority of his crew.

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  • 6. 

    In Book 9, Odysseus's greatest weakness as a leader of men has to do with

    • Being too proud.

    • Being unwilling to risk lives.

    • Having a negative outlook on life.

    • Not wanting to stand out among his men.

    Correct Answer
    A. Being too proud.
    Explanation
    Odysseus's greatest weakness as a leader of men is being too proud. Throughout the epic, Odysseus often displays excessive pride and arrogance, which leads to poor decision-making and conflicts with his men. His pride is evident when he reveals his identity to Polyphemus, the Cyclops, causing Poseidon's wrath and endangering his crew. Additionally, Odysseus's pride is evident when he taunts and challenges the gods, such as when he blinds Polyphemus and reveals his true name. This arrogance ultimately hinders his leadership abilities and puts his men at risk.

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  • 7. 

    The main reason that the suitors and servants don't recognize Odysseus when he first appears is that

    • He is disguised.

    • He has aged twenty years

    • He is wearing armor and a helmet.

    • Athena has made him beautiful and taller.

    Correct Answer
    A. He is disguised.
    Explanation
    The main reason that the suitors and servants don't recognize Odysseus when he first appears is because he is disguised. Disguising himself is a strategic move by Odysseus to hide his true identity and intentions from his enemies. By altering his appearance, he is able to observe and gather information without being detected. This disguise allows him to plan and execute his revenge against the suitors without raising suspicion or alerting them to his true identity.

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  • 8. 

    In the struggle between Odysseus and the suitors, the gods appear to

    • Remain neutral.

    • Take Odysseus's side.

    • Take the suitors' side.

    • Swing their support between Odysseus and the suitors.

    Correct Answer
    A. Take Odysseus's side.
    Explanation
    In the struggle between Odysseus and the suitors, the gods take Odysseus's side. This can be seen through the intervention of the gods throughout the epic. Athena, in particular, supports Odysseus and helps him in his journey back home. She disguises him, provides him with guidance, and assists him in defeating the suitors. Other gods, such as Zeus, also show favor towards Odysseus by punishing the suitors for their disrespectful behavior. This support from the gods suggests that they are on Odysseus's side in his struggle against the suitors.

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  • 9. 

    Who is the Charybdis?

    • A whirlpool

    • A drifting rock

    • A six headed monster

    • A slippery mountain that cannot be crossed

    Correct Answer
    A. A whirlpool
    Explanation
    Charybdis is known in Greek mythology as a monstrous whirlpool. It was believed to be a sea monster that would create a whirlpool three times a day, swallowing and spitting out massive amounts of water. Sailors had to navigate carefully to avoid being sucked into the Charybdis and losing their ships. This explanation aligns with the commonly accepted understanding of Charybdis as a dangerous whirlpool.

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  • 10. 

    Which of the following causes Penelope to accept Odysseus as her true husband?

    • Zeus's thunderbolt

    • Odysseus's stringing the bow

    • Odysseus's knowing that their bed cannot be moved

    • The goddess Athena making Odysseus look like his younger self

    Correct Answer
    A. Odysseus's knowing that their bed cannot be moved
    Explanation
    Penelope accepts Odysseus as her true husband because he knows that their bed cannot be moved. This knowledge proves to Penelope that he is indeed her husband, as only they both know the secret of their bed. This demonstrates a deep intimacy and trust between them, convincing Penelope of Odysseus's true identity.

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  • 11. 

    In exchange for the wine, Polyphemus promises to

    • Let Odysseus go free

    • Eat Odysseus last

    • Sacrifice his prize ram to Zeus

    • Spare the rest of Odysseus's men

    Correct Answer
    A. Eat Odysseus last
    Explanation
    Polyphemus promises to eat Odysseus last as a result of the exchange for the wine. This means that he will devour Odysseus after consuming all the other men.

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  • 12. 

    Why do Odysseus and his men enter Polyphemus's cave?

    • To kill Polyphemus

    • To capture Polyphemus

    • To find desperately needed food and shelter

    • To satisfy Odysseus's curiosity about Polyphemus

    Correct Answer
    A. To satisfy Odysseus's curiosity about Polyphemus
    Explanation
    Odysseus and his men enter Polyphemus's cave to satisfy Odysseus's curiosity about Polyphemus. This is evident from the fact that Odysseus wants to see the Cyclops and learn about him firsthand. It is not mentioned in the question that they enter the cave to kill or capture Polyphemus, and although they may also be in need of food and shelter, the primary reason for entering the cave is to satisfy Odysseus's curiosity.

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  • 13. 

    Penelope's initial reaction to Odysseus is one of

    • Joy.

    • Anger.

    • Shock.

    • Distrust.

    Correct Answer
    A. Distrust.
    Explanation
    Penelope's initial reaction to Odysseus is one of distrust. This can be inferred from the context of the question, which suggests that Penelope does not immediately recognize Odysseus when he returns home after a long absence. Her distrust is likely due to the fact that she has been waiting for Odysseus for many years and has encountered numerous suitors who have tried to win her hand in marriage. Therefore, it is understandable that she would be cautious and skeptical of Odysseus' true identity.

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  • 14. 

    What prevents Circe from turning Odysseus into a pig?

    • His virtue

    • His reputation

    • Magic

    • Pleasure

    Correct Answer
    A. Magic
    Explanation
    Circe is a powerful sorceress in Greek mythology known for her ability to transform people into animals. Therefore, the most plausible explanation for why she cannot turn Odysseus into a pig is because he is protected by magic. It is likely that Odysseus possesses some form of magical protection or has sought the assistance of a deity to shield him from Circe's powers. This protection prevents Circe from being able to transform him into a pig like she has done with others.

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  • 15. 

    Who is Scylla?

    • A whirlpool

    • A drifting rock

    • A six-headed monster

    • A slippery mountain that cannot be crossed

    Correct Answer
    A. A six-headed monster
    Explanation
    Scylla is a six-headed monster. This is evident from the given options where all the other options describe different things such as a whirlpool, a drifting rock, and a slippery mountain. Only the option "a six-headed monster" accurately describes Scylla, indicating that she is a mythical creature with six heads.

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Quiz Review Timeline (Updated): Mar 20, 2023 +

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  • Current Version
  • Mar 20, 2023
    Quiz Edited by
    ProProfs Editorial Team
  • May 03, 2012
    Quiz Created by
    Jwalterscheid
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