Wacky Wordsmith

Name: ________________________________
Text: ________________________________
Date: ________________________________
Books: ________________________________

Wacky Wordsmith: As the author of the two most famous epics in ancient Greek
literature, Homer helped define the Western World's vocabulary landscape. Your task is
to look for at least TEN WONDER WORDS, important words or phrases in the text which
you deem crucial to the text. If you find words that are puzzling or unfamiliar, list them
down in the second table, “NEW TO MY VOCABULARY”. Record the meaning that you
came up with and indicate its significance. Include words that you consider significant or
crucial to the text. When your circle meets, discuss the words, the reason(s) why you
think they are Wonder Words, and how you came up with their meaning. Ask them to
suggest additional Wonder Words to your list.

“WONDER WORDS” Book # Definition and Significance

Tell me, Muse, of 1 The author is asking for inspiration and help
the man of many from the Muses.
ways, who has
driven far journeys
Odysseus, the 1 The author likens Odysseus to a god and
Godlike says he is beyond other men in the mind.
Patient-hearted 1 The author further describes Odysseus as
patient-hearted, especially when he is
The gods have not 1 In this line, the Athene tells Odysseus that
made yours a birth he will be great and his life will be told in
that will go stories many years after he’s gone.
nameless
2 Odysseus made his clear-voiced heralds
Clear-voiced assemble the men since he will be needing
heralds them
Evil that befallen 2 Odysseus talks about the two tragedies that
my house happened, the death of his father and his
mother who is beset by suitors
Wedding feast 4 The king of Sparta, Menelaus, is throwing a
wedding party for his son and daughter
3 This was the color of the blood of the cow
Black blood when they sacrificed it to Athene
Palace of the king 4 It tells us that the Palace of King Menelaus is
whom Zeus loved very grand and very magnificent

“NEW TO MY Book # Definition and Significance

VOCABULARY”
Hecatomb 1 a great public sacrifice, originally of a hundred
oxen.
Forecourt 1 an open area in front of a large building
Guest-friends 1 close friends that are guests
Sagacious 1 having or showing keen mental discernment and
good judgment
recompense 2 make amends to (someone) for loss or harm
suffered
strong-greaved 2
Hardened, used to describe the Achaeans

intemperate 2
having or showing a lack of self-control

vociferous 2
vehement or clamorous