Wacky Wordsmith

Name: Timothy Ngo

Text: Odessey
Date: July 26, 2010
Books: 1-4

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 Book # Definition and Significance

WORDS”
Ithaka 1 A name of an island in Greece
Place to which Odysseus longs for

1
Ogygia The land where a Odysseus’ mother lives.

1
Sparta A part of Greece
Place that Odysseus must go through

1
Pylos A sandy area where Nestor is in.

1
Taphians Men of the sea. From Taphos, in Greece.
1
Temese Where Odysseus lives.

1
Telemachos is to
search of news of This line tells us that Telemachos’ father is
his father indeed Odysseus
 1
“Why my mother This proves now that Penelope is in fact
do you begrudge Odysseus’ wife
this excellent
singer?”
1
.. until gray eyed
Athene cast This shows the care Athene gives to
sweet slumber Penelope
over her eyelids.
1
… any whom
might hold this This means that Odysseus was actually the
position, now that king of Ithaka before his supposed death.
the great
Odysseus has
perished.
… but never slept 1 Telemachus has a wife.
with her, for fear
of his own wife’s
anger.
But all the gods 1 The gods are on Odysseus’ side.
pitied him
1 Even Telamachus believes his father has
… there is no died.
more hope for my
father’s
homecoming
… and slaughter 2 This is the reason why they want the suitors
our oxen and our gone, aside from them being a form of
sheep and our fat distraction to Penelope, the mother of
goats and make a Telemachus.
holiday feast of
it…
And now it is the 2 Penelope has been doing away with the
third year, and suitors for 3 to 4 years, which also states
will be the fourth about how long Odysseus has been gone.
year presently.
… sending us 2 Penelope sent messages to the suitors.
messages, but
her mind has
other intentions.
…she would 2 This shows Penelope’s plot. She told the
weave her great suitors that she would go with them after
loom… but in the she had finished her loom
night… undo it
For I am going to 2 Telamachos has decided to accept the
Sparta and to mission to look for his father
sandy Pylos
we never spoke 3 This line shows how close a relationship
against one Nestor had with Odysseus
another
Aigisthos worked 3 Aigisthos was plotting against Menelaos and
out his grim plans Agamemnon
So it is with no 4 Menelaos shows how much he regrets his
pleasure I am brother’s demise.
lord over all
these
possessions
… are minded to 4 The suitors wish to end Telemachos’ life.
kill Telemachos
…

“NEW TO MY Book # Definition and Significance

VOCABULARY”
Hyperion 1
He is one of the titans.