1. How does Hermes function in the story here (archetype) and why?

As a god’s messenger, he functions as a guide to lead people properly; in this case, he sees Calypso to have her let Odysseus go so that he can continue his fate. (p. 155~156, line 108~128)

2.What is Odysseus doing when we first meet him?

Sitting near the shore, crying. (p. 155, line 93~95)

3. What complaint does Calypso make when she hears of Zeus’s command to release Odysseus?

She blames male gods’ double standard as they blame goddesses for having a proper relationship with mortal men while male gods have an affair with mortal women without being ashamed of it. (p.156, line 130~145)

4. Describe the relationship between Odysseus and Calypso. What do Odysseus’ words and deeds on Ogygia reveal about his attitude towards his wife and home?

Calypso truly loves Odysseus with her heart, but Odysseus doesn’t; however, Odysseus has had sexual relations with Calypso at night and cried in daytime, missing his family and home. His double standard of morality is shown obviously, for his wife has been faithfully waiting for him for 20 years, rejecting the suitors trying to take over Odysseus’ throne, while Odysseus has an affair with an immortal goddess. (p. 157, line 170~175)

5. What particular difficulties does Odysseus encounter during his voyage to Phaeacia?  List the gods and goddesses who help Odysseus reach land, and briefly note how they assist him.

Poseidon spots Odysseus and tries to kill him with waves and lightnings. (p. 161, line 346~3365) However, Ino comes and helps him by lending him her immortal scarf and telling him to leave his craft and swim to Phaecian land. (p.163, line 377~386) Then, Athena stopped Poseidon by calming the waves down. (p. 164, line 421~423) Odysseus prays to the god of river to save him from the sea. The river’s god listens to it and moves him to shore. (p. 166, line 489~500)

6. Find and squiggle one epic simile that Homer uses to describe Odysseus’ ordeal at sea.

"Pell-mell the rollers tossed her along down-current, wild as the North Wind tossing thistle along the fields at high harvest- ..." Homer compares Odysseus' craft moved by the waves to shaking thistle moved by the wind to describe the harshness that Odysseus goes through. (p. 162, line 360~362)

7. Why does Homer keep Odysseus from us for four books?

He uses In media res. It gives a dramatic effect by starting in the middle and going to flashback.