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6th grade History

The Odyssey, Chp. 7

VII. King Alcinous and the Phaeacians

1. What does King Alcinous do after Odysseus’ first night in the palace?
King Alcinous brings Odysseus to the docks and tells the people gathered there that he has
offered to help Odysseus get home.

2. The minstrel singer’s name is Demodocus.

3. What sort of song does Demodocus sing?

Demodocus sings a song about Odysseus, Achilles, Agamemnon, and other Greek heroes.

4. How does Odysseus feel hearing the song?

The song makes Odysseus feel sad.

5. What do the Phaeacians do after they have enjoyed the music?

They show Odysseus their athletic ability by playing all kinds of sports.

6. What does Euryalus say about Odysseus after Laodamas asked Odysseus if he would like to
compete?
Euryalus insults Odysseus. He says that Odysseus seems like a merchants, always trying to
sell his goods for a good price and not an athlete.

7. What does Odysseus do next?

Odysseus tells Eurylus that he is a handsome man, but not smart. Odysseus tell Euryalus
that years of fighting, traveling, and sorrows have caused him to lose interest in games. He
then shows everyone how good an athlete he is by throwing a discus further than anyone else
could.

8. King Alcinous tells Odysseus that Phaeacians are better than all the rest at seamanship (sailors)
and dancing.

9. What does Euryalus offer Odysseus as a gift? What else does Odysseus receive?
Euryalus offers Odysseus a beautiful bronze sword with a silver hilt and a scabbard of ivory.
Euryalus also apologizes for his rash words. Odysseus also gets bowls, jars, tunics, cloth, and
brooches, just to name a few….

10. What specific part of the Trojan War does Odysseus request that Demodocus sing?
Odysseus asks Demodocus to sing about the Trojan War, specifically the part of the war
when the horse went into Troy and how Troy fell.

11. What does Odysseus finally tell Alcinous?

Odysseus finally tells Alcinous who he is and of all that has happened to him since he left
Troy, almost 18 years earlier.

12. What does Poseidon do when the ship is in sight of the shore?
Poseidon turned the ship into a black rock, a punishment for taking Odysseus home to
Ithaca.