The Top 6 Best Analyses of 'Odyssey: The Return of Ulysses' (Literature 10)

Structure

- Part 1 (from the beginning to 'not brave'): A conversation among four characters (the nurse Eurycleia, the son Telemachus, Penelope, Ulysses) where Penelope cautiously hesitates to recognize her husband.

- Part 2 (the rest): Penelope tests Ulysses with a secret about the bed and confirms his identity as her husband.

Lesson Content

- Through the reunion of the couple after twenty years apart, Homer depicts the wisdom and inner beauty of Ulysses and Penelope.

- The narrative is filled with choice details that illustrate storytelling artistry.

Study Guide

Question 1 (page 52, Literature 10, Volume 1):

- Part 1 (from the start to 'not brave'): A conversation among four characters (the nurse Eurycleia, the son Telemachus, Penelope, Ulysses), where Penelope remains cautious about recognizing her husband.
- Part 2 (the rest): Penelope challenges Ulysses with the secret of the bed and confirms he is her husband.

Question 2 (page 52, Literature 10, Volume 1):

Ulysses' emotions are evident through his actions, revealing various qualities:

- He is joyful, excited, and filled with happiness about the reunion with his family, but he remains calm and clear-headed as he assesses the situation.

- Ulysses adopts the guise of a beggar, remaining composed while he and Telemachus eliminate the insolent suitors and the treacherous servants—showcasing Ulysses' cunning and wisdom.

- When meeting Penelope, he exhibits patience, enduring her tests and showing his unshakable faith in her.

- Ulysses expresses anger when Penelope fails to recognize him and sheds tears upon hearing her reasons—demonstrating his deep emotions and love for her.

Question 3 (page 52, Literature 10, Volume 1):

Penelope's uncertainty upon meeting Ulysses is due to her fear of being deceived by a manipulative impostor:

- Her secret test of the bed reveals Penelope's unwavering character and intelligence.

+ She is clever, using a secret only known to the couple as a challenge.

+ She wishes to preserve her dignity and prove her loyalty to Ulysses.

Question 4 (page 52, Literature 10, Volume 1):

The storytelling style in this passage demonstrates the epic genre's distinct characteristics: slow, meticulous, and dignified.

+ In this passage, Penelope's doubt and disbelief in Ulysses' identity is explored.

+ The lengthy narrative illustrates the probing nature of the conversation and builds towards the resolution of the issue.

- The author uses nominative phrases to characterize the individuals, deepening the portrayal of each person.

- The final passage uses a simile to vividly describe Penelope's joy upon recognizing Ulysses.

EXERCISES (page 52, Literature 10, Volume 1):

1. Drama performance

2. Role-playing Ulysses recounting the reunion

I return to my beloved home after twenty years of wandering. The joy of stepping inside and reuniting with family and friends is overwhelming, yet they do not recognize me. My beloved wife has grown cold. After vanquishing the rude suitors with my son Telemachus and punishing the traitorous servants, I feel nervous at the moment of meeting Penelope. When she enters, we sit across from each other, and I notice her gazing at me fondly at times, but at other moments, she remains distant. My heart aches—does she not recognize me? Has time made her forget her husband? After a while, she speaks, asking me to prove our shared secret. I realize she wants to test me. I instruct Telemachus to be careful of the suitors' retaliation and advise the servants to dress well so outsiders will believe we are holding a wedding ceremony. Penelope presents the 'bed' challenge to ensure I am truly her husband. She orders the nurse Eurycleia to move the bed from its secure place. Hearing this, I immediately reveal the secret of the bed's construction. Just as I finish speaking, I see Penelope embrace me, tears of joy streaming down her face. In that moment, I recognize her loyalty and intelligence, and I embrace her after so many years apart. I am grateful for her wisdom, her cautiousness, and the unwavering love she has always shown. The entire household rejoices at my return.

Question 1 (Page 52, Literature Textbook 10, Volume 1)

The text is divided into two sections:

+ Section 1 (from the beginning to 'lacking courage'): A conversation between four characters (nurse Euryclea, son Telemachus, Penelope, Odysseus), where Penelope cautiously refuses to acknowledge her husband.

+ Section 2 (the remaining part): Penelope tests Odysseus with the secret of the bed. Penelope recognizes her husband.

Question 2 (Page 52, Literature Textbook 10, Volume 1)

- When Penelope refuses to recognize Odysseus, he smiles and says: 'Do not worry, mother, I still wish to test him here. Eventually, you and I will recognize him, for that is certain.' This shows Odysseus' patience, calmness, and strong trust in his wife.

- Odysseus discusses with Telemachus how to handle families of the noblemen he has killed. This reflects his wisdom and foresight. - Odysseus is upset when Penelope does not immediately recognize him and he weeps when he hears her reasons. This demonstrates his deep emotional nature and love for his wife.

Question 3 (Page 52, Literature Textbook 10, Volume 1)

- Penelope is 'extremely uncertain' when she meets Odysseus because she 'always fears that someone might come here, using sweet words to deceive her. After all, there are many deceivers in the world, only causing harm...'

- The secret test of the bed highlights Penelope's steadfast nature. She is clever to test Odysseus with a secret known only to them. This shows that she does not want to lose her dignity as a wife and also proves her unwavering loyalty to her husband.

Question 4 (Page 52, Literature Textbook 10, Volume 1)

- Homer's narrative style creates an effect:

Homer's storytelling in this section illustrates the epic style, slow, meticulous, and dignified. In this excerpt, Penelope is doubtful and does not believe that Odysseus is truly her long-lost husband. The detailed narrative creates dialogues that probe and react, leading to the essence of the issue.

- To portray characters, Homer frequently uses the epithet form, common in Greek epics (e.g., 'Penelope, cautious,' 'Euryclea, gentle nurse,' 'Odysseus, noble and patient...'). This gives the epic its distinctive and engaging style. - The comparison at the end of the excerpt ('Gentle...' ... 'relinquishing') is a simile, likening Penelope’s joyful reunion with Odysseus to the relief of a person escaping a storm. The longer part of the simile is stated first, with vivid imagery acting as an artistic lever to emphasize the event being compared.

Practice

Question 2 (Page 52, Literature Textbook 10, Volume 1)

I return to my beloved home after twenty years of absence. The joy is immeasurable as I set foot in the house, meet old friends, family, and servants, but they do not recognize me, and my once-loving wife now appears distant. After overcoming the suitors, I enter the house hoping to embrace my wife, but she hesitates, viewing me like a stranger. My heart aches—how could she not recognize me? Has time truly made her forget her husband? Eventually, she sets the 'bed test' to ensure I am her husband. I appreciate her wisdom and caution, showing that she has never forgotten me. I easily recognize the bed and its secret. My wife is overwhelmed with joy, shedding tears as she welcomes her husband back. The whole family rejoices at my return.

Question 1 (Page 53, Literature 10, Volume 1): How can the excerpt be divided? What is the content of each part?

Structure: 2 parts

- Part one (from the beginning to "...the less daring people"): A conversation between four characters (nurse Euricle, son Telemachus, Penelope, Ulysses). Penelope cautiously refuses to recognize her husband.

- Part two (the rest): Penelope tests Ulysses with the secret of the bed. She eventually recognizes him as her husband.

Question 2 (Page 53, Literature 10, Volume 1): How does Ulysses feel when he reunites with his wife? What qualities of his character are revealed through his actions?

- Ulysses' emotions when meeting his wife and family:

+ He feels joy, excitement, and happiness, but remains calm and composed.

+ He pretends to be a beggar, carefully plans with his son Telemachus to defeat the insolent suitors and the disloyal servants.

+ When he meets Penelope, he remains composed, patiently waiting for her to recognize him. His smile, as he listens to her, reveals his wisdom and noble character.

+ His love for Penelope is still as strong and pure as it was when they first met.

Question 3 (Page 52, Literature 10, Volume 1): Why is Penelope so "very much in doubt"? What does her choice to test the "secret of the bed" reveal about her intelligence and spirit?

- Penelope's "great uncertainty" is expressed through her hesitant movements, gestures, and uncertainty in how to behave: "Should I stand far away or should I approach, embrace him and kiss his hands?" She is unsure and confused, yet her deep emotional shock is evident as she sits quietly, gazing at Ulysses and sometimes not recognizing him in his torn clothes.

- Her decision to test the "secret of the bed" shows that Penelope is intelligent, shrewd, and knows how to control her emotions. Alongside her intelligence and prudence is her carefulness, which is very appropriate for her situation. Penelope is clear-headed, yet delicate, decisive, and cautious, possessing both intelligence and profound emotions, a woman of noble character.

Question 4 (Page 52, Literature 10, Volume 1): What effect does Homer's narrative style in the excerpt create? Which artistic techniques are used to highlight the characters' qualities? Which technique is applied in the final stanza?

- Homer's storytelling in the excerpt creates a surprising and emotional effect, emphasizing the qualities of Penelope and Ulysses.

- The common artistic technique in the excerpt is contrast, building tension and creating surprises...

- In the final part, the artistic technique used successfully is comparison: The image of "the earth" and "the seafaring man" illustrates the desperate longing and ultimate joy of Penelope upon reuniting with her beloved husband after twenty years of war and separation. Penelope's feelings upon meeting Ulysses are compared to a shipwrecked sailor who, in his despair, suddenly spots land.

Practice

Question 2 (Page 52, Literature 10, Volume 1): Assume the role of Ulysses and recount the moment of recognition.

After defeating the suitors and punishing the unfaithful servants alongside my dear son Telemachus, I anxiously awaited the moment when Penelope would recognize me. However, after sitting and waiting for a long time, I finally saw her enter. She sat opposite me, silent and unmoving. At times, she gazed at me with affection, but other times she seemed indifferent. In my confusion, Telemachus spoke. I waited for her reaction after his words, but she did not embrace me. She confirmed to her son that if I were truly her husband, there would be distinctive signs between us. Hearing her words, I understood what she meant. I then reassured Telemachus and warned him to be cautious of the suitors' revenge. I also instructed everyone to dress beautifully and perform as though hosting a wedding ceremony to confuse any outsiders, then I went to bathe.

Upon returning to my seat, I sat facing Penelope on a cushioned chair and ordered the nurse Euricle to prepare my old bed. To my surprise, she boldly told the old woman to move the bed out of the room. Upon hearing this, I was shocked, as I thought the secret of the bed had been forgotten. Instinctively, I revealed the entire process of constructing the bed. But as soon as I finished speaking, Penelope suddenly rushed to embrace me and spoke words of love, tears filling her eyes. At that moment, I finally understood the cleverness and wisdom of my wife. I held her tightly, my beloved wife, my faithful companion after so many years apart.

Summary: After capturing the city of Troy, Odysseus "returns home." However, he is stranded at sea for ten years, unable to reach his homeland. The goddess Calypso, in love with him, detains him. Moved by Odysseus' plight, the god Zeus sends Hermes to order Calypso to release him. After being shipwrecked by a storm, Odysseus washes ashore in Phaeacia, where Princess Nausicaa falls in love with him, and the king treats him well. The king asks Odysseus to recount his adventurous and perilous journey with his crew: escaping the land of the Cyclops, resisting the seductive songs of the Sirens, and more. The king, impressed, arranges a ship to take Odysseus home. Upon his return, Odysseus disguises himself as a beggar so that his wife, Penelope, does not recognize him. To deal with the suitors pressing her for marriage, Penelope challenges them to string Odysseus' bow and shoot an arrow through twelve axeheads. All the suitors fail, and Odysseus successfully performs the task, revealing his true identity. He and his son then take the opportunity to punish the suitors and disloyal servants.

Main Content: This excerpt depicts the reunion between Odysseus and his wife after twenty years of separation, but it is not a simple reunion; it becomes a test of recognition. In this scene, the characters challenge each other in a way that leads to their happiness. The story is a hymn to the intellectual beauty and yearning for happiness of the ancient Greeks. It reminds us that family bonds are always sacred and noble.

Study Guide:

Question 1 (Page 52, Literature Textbook 10, Volume 1)

The structure is divided into two parts:

- Part 1 (from the beginning ... the timid person): A dialogue between four characters, Penelope refuses to recognize her husband.

- Part 2 (the remainder): Penelope recognizes her husband.

Question 2 (Page 52, Literature Textbook 10, Volume 1)

The mood of Odysseus when he reunites with his wife and family:

- He is joyful, thrilled, and excited about the reunion but remains calm and sharp in observing the situation.

- He pretends to be a beggar, calmly helping his son Telemachus to kill the arrogant suitors and traitorous servants.

- When meeting his wife, Odysseus patiently endures the challenges Penelope sets before him.

- Odysseus' smile shows his noble intelligence and character.

- Odysseus' love for his wife remains strong and unchanged, just as it was at the beginning.

Question 3 (Page 52, Literature Textbook 10, Volume 1)

Penelope's "great hesitation" is expressed through her posture, gestures, and her nervous attempts to decide how to behave. She does not want to make a mistake in recognizing him, which would be a grave error in Greek culture.

+ She is unsure whether to stand far away or approach him to embrace and kiss him.

+ She hesitates, scrutinizes, and contemplates, unable to hide her emotions, joy, and astonishment at seeing her husband in his worn-out clothes.

- Penelope's test of the "secret of the bed" shows that she is a woman of intellect, caution, and strength.

⇒ Penelope is calm, delicate, and careful, but also full of love and nobility.

Question 4 (Page 52, Literature Textbook 10, Volume 1)

The narrative style of Homer in this excerpt reflects the epic style: slow, detailed, and dignified.

+ In the excerpt, Penelope doubts that Odysseus is her long-lost husband.

+ The lengthy and meticulous narration illustrates the characters' probing and reactions, ultimately revealing the true nature of the situation.

- The author uses descriptive epithets to characterize the figures, a common feature in Greek epic poetry.

- The use of similes vividly conveys Penelope's joy at the reunion, enhancing the emotional impact.

Practice Exercises

Exercise 1 (Page 52, Literature Textbook 10, Volume 1)

Stage a performance of the "recognition scene with the secret of the bed test."

Exercise 2 (Page 52, Literature Textbook 10, Volume 1)

Play the role and recount the scene:

After defeating the bold suitors with my son Telemachus and punishing the treacherous servants, I was anxious about the moment I would meet Penelope. When she entered, she sat across from me, silently. At times, I saw her looking at me affectionately, other times indifferently. Then she spoke, asking me to recognize the unique sign of our love. As I heard her, I knew what she wanted. I instructed my son to be cautious of the suitors' revenge, telling the servants to dress well to make it appear as if we were hosting a wedding. When Penelope ordered the maid to remove the bed, I spoke of the secret details involved in its creation. As I finished, I suddenly found Penelope embracing me with tears of joy, and at that moment, I realized her loyalty and wisdom, and I embraced her after all these years apart.

I. General Overview

1. Main Content:

This excerpt describes the reunion of the couple Ulysses and Penelope after twenty years of separation. During their meeting, the characters challenge each other to rediscover happiness. The story celebrates the intellectual beauty and yearning for happiness of the Greek people. It reminds us that family love is always sacred and precious.

2. Meaning of the Text:

- It praises the loyal and faithful bond between husband and wife.

- It celebrates the intellect and moral character of individuals.

II. Text Comprehension

Question 1 (page 52, Literature Textbook 10, Volume 1):

Structure: 2 parts

- Part 1 (from the beginning… to the less courageous): The dialogue between the four characters, where Penelope does not immediately recognize her husband.

- Part 2 (the remainder): After overcoming the challenges, Ulysses reunites with his family.

Question 2 (page 52, Literature Textbook 10, Volume 1):

- Ulysses' emotions upon reuniting with his wife and family:

+ Joyful, ecstatic, and elated.

+ Calm, clear-headed.

+ Patiently smiling at his son.

- His behavior reveals the following qualities:

+ Noble: Love for his wife, children, and homeland.

+ Patient: He remains calm despite Penelope's indifference and trials.

+ Wise: He understands Penelope’s heart, preparing for any situation with the suitors he just dealt with.

Question 3 (page 52, Literature Textbook 10, Volume 1):

- Penelope is "still very uncertain" because Ulysses appears like a beggar, dressed in tattered clothes... She fears recognizing the wrong person, as it is taboo in Greek culture.

- Penelope's challenge involving the "secret of the bed" shows her sharp intellect, carefulness, calmness, confidence, and deep love.

Question 4 (page 52, Literature Textbook 10, Volume 1):

- Homer's narrative style in this excerpt reflects the characteristics of epic poetry: slow, detailed, and dignified.

- The author uses noun-adjective phrases to describe characters and highlight their nature.

- At the end, the author employs artistic techniques such as extended metaphors and similes with long tails.

III. Practice

Question 1 (page 52, Literature Textbook 10, Volume 1):

Organize a theatrical performance of the scene where "the bed's secret test" is revealed.

Question 2 (page 52, Literature Textbook 10, Volume 1):

Perform a roleplay of the scene:

After defeating the suitors and punishing the servants with my son Telemachus, I anxiously await the moment when Penelope will recognize me. However, that day, I sat waiting for a long time as she silently entered and said nothing. While I was wondering, Telemachus spoke up, reproaching his mother. She assured him that if I were truly her husband, there would be specific signs to recognize each other. I returned to sit opposite Penelope in an armchair and instructed our maid Eurycleia to prepare a separate bed for me. When I heard Penelope speak, I suddenly recalled the secret behind the bed’s construction. No sooner had I finished speaking than Penelope rushed over, embraced me tightly, and spoke with tearful affection. I held her tightly, my beloved wife, my faithful companion after so many years apart.

General Overview

1. Epic Summary

- After conquering the city of Troy, Odysseus attempted to return home but was stranded at sea for ten years. The goddess Calypso, in love with him, held him captive. Moved by his plight, Zeus sent Hermes to order Calypso to let him go. After his ship was wrecked in a storm, Odysseus washed ashore in Phaeacia. There, Princess Nausicaa took a liking to him, and the king treated him well. Following the king’s advice, Odysseus recounted his perilous adventures, including escaping from the land of the one-eyed giants, and surviving the deadly sirens’ songs. Impressed by his bravery, the king arranged for Odysseus to return home to Ithaca. Upon arrival, he disguised himself as a beggar and was not recognized by his wife, Penelope. To deal with the suitors pressuring her, Penelope set a challenge: anyone who could string Odysseus's bow and shoot through twelve axeheads would marry her. All the suitors failed, and Odysseus succeeded. Taking advantage of the opportunity, he and his son punished the suitors and disloyal servants.

2. The Value of the Odyssey

– Theme: It praises the power of intellect, will, and human determination to conquer nature and reflects the dream of a peaceful, happy life.

– Artistry: The work features grand imagination, keen observation, a coherent plot, consistent character traits, and formal, metaphorical language filled with descriptive adjectives.

3. The Excerpt’s Content

- The excerpt portrays the emotional reunion between Odysseus and Penelope after twenty years apart. However, it is not a simple reunion but a touching scene of recognition. The characters test each other in the process of rediscovering their happiness. This story is a hymn to the intellectual beauty and pursuit of happiness of the ancient Greeks. Through it, we realize that family love is a noble and sacred emotion.

Instructions for Preparing the Lesson

Question 1 (page 52, Literature 10, Volume 1):

Structure: The excerpt can be divided into two parts:

- The first part, from the beginning to "...the faint-hearted": The conversation between four characters (nurse Eurycleia, son Telemachus, Penelope, and Odysseus), with Penelope cautiously refusing to recognize her husband.

- The second part consists of the remaining excerpt. Penelope tests Odysseus about the secret of their bed, and the couple is reunited.

Question 2 (page 52, Literature 10, Volume 1): Odysseus’s qualities through his emotions upon meeting his wife:

- When Penelope refuses to acknowledge him as her husband and their son reacts to her reluctance, Odysseus smiles and says: "Don’t scold your mother, she wants to test me in our home. Eventually, she will recognize me, I am sure of it." This reflects Odysseus's patience, calmness, and strong belief in his wife.

- Odysseus discusses with his son how to handle the noble families whose members he has killed. This demonstrates Odysseus's wisdom and insight.

- Odysseus feels hurt when Penelope still does not recognize him, and he cries when he learns the reason. This shows that Odysseus is a deeply emotional person, who loves his wife and values family life.

Question 3 (page 52, Literature 10, Volume 1):

- Penelope is "deeply uncertain" because if the beggar is truly her husband, why didn’t he reveal himself during their last meeting? Moreover, if she were to recognize him too quickly, her honor would suffer, which was a great taboo in Greece.

- Like Odysseus, Penelope possesses many noble qualities, such as intellectual beauty, calmness, confidence, decisiveness, and a proactive approach to every situation.

- Penelope uses the secret of their bed as a test for recognition, as it is a symbol that confirms the beggar's identity. Moreover, it demonstrates her unwavering loyalty. If the bed had been moved or no longer remained their secret, it would mean that Penelope’s honor had been compromised. This test not only reveals Penelope’s steadfastness but also underscores the enduring nature of family bonds, including the relationship between husband and wife and between father and son.

- Penelope's cautious actions demonstrate the complexity of the era she lived in, where constant danger and threats loomed over people.

Question 4 (page 52, Literature 10, Volume 1):

- The storytelling style of Homer in this excerpt reflects the characteristics of epic narrative, which is slow, meticulous, and dignified. In this section, Penelope doubts that the beggar is her long-lost husband, and the detailed narration creates dialogues that test the characters' reactions, gradually leading to the truth.

- To depict the essence of the characters, Homer often uses descriptive names followed by adjectives, a common feature in Greek epics (e.g., cautious Penelope, kind nurse Eurycleia, noble and patient Odysseus…). This contributes to the epic’s unique, captivating style, revealing the admirable qualities of the characters.

- A literary device used by Homer at the end of this passage ("Gentle..." ..."released.") is the extended metaphor of comparison, with the longer part of the comparison coming first, creating vivid imagery that enhances the impact of the sentence.

Practice

Exercise 1 (Page 52, Literature 10, Volume 1)

Organize a dramatic reenactment of the "recognition scene through the secret of the bed".

Exercise 2 (Page 52, Literature 10, Volume 1)

Perform a role-playing retelling of the recognition scene:

After defeating the suitors and, along with my son Telemachus, punishing the treacherous servants, I eagerly awaited the moment to meet Penelope. When she entered, she sat across from me silently, sometimes looking at me with affection, other times indifferent. Then she spoke, asking me to reveal a unique sign so that we could recognize each other. As soon as I heard her, I knew what she wanted. I instructed my son to be cautious with the vengeful suitors and reminded the servants to wear fine clothes so that outsiders would think a wedding was taking place in our house.

When Penelope instructed the nurse Eurycleia to move the bed out of the room with the solid walls, I spoke about the secrets involved in the making of the bed. But before I finished, I saw Penelope throw herself into my arms, tears of joy streaming down her face. In that moment, I realized her loyalty and intelligence.