Book 9 Questions: 1. According to Odysseus as he opens his tale, who is to blame for his delay in returning home?
2. At Ismarus, what tragedies befall Odysseus and who/what is to blame? How many men are
lost?
3. How would you rate Odysseus as a leader in the Ismarus episode? Why?
4. Among the Lotus Eaters, what delays their journey and who/what is to blame?
5. How would you rate Odysseus as a leader in the Lotus Eaters episode? Why?
6. At the beginning of the Polyphemus episode, how does Odysseus characterize the cyclops and their society? What archetype does this fit?
7. What is the narrative drift and what is its purpose in this episode?
8. What is the role of xenia as it applies to the episode with Polyphemus?
9. In the Polyphemus episode, what roles do gods, monsters, temptations or hubris play in the
difficulties Odysseus faces?
10. Who demonstrates metis and what is the result?
11. What is being compared in the epic similes, and what is the effect?
12. Explain the ironies in the Polyphemus episode.
13. How would you rate Odysseus as a leader in the Polyphemus episode? Why?