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Leaving Cert Classical Studies: Odyssey: plot & key episodes

How often Odyssey: plot & key episodes comes up on the Classical Studies papers, every year it was asked, and questions to try.

HL Asked on 3 of the last 3 Higher Level papers, most recently in 2025. banker

OL Asked on 3 of the last 3 Ordinary Level papers, most recently in 2025. banker

Odyssey: plot & key episodes, Higher Level(6 marks)

Quick ones on Odyssey: plot & key episodes.

(a)In Odyssey 1, Athena visits Telemachus disguised as which guest-friend of his father?
  1. Eumaeus, the swineherd
  2. Mentes, lord of the Taphians
  3. Nestor, king of Pylos
(b)Why does Poseidon keep Odysseus from reaching home?
  1. Odysseus forgot to sacrifice after Troy
  2. Odysseus' men ate the cattle of Helios
  3. Odysseus blinded Poseidon's son Polyphemus
(c)What contest does Penelope set for the suitors in Book 21?
  1. String Odysseus' bow and shoot through twelve axes
  2. Finish weaving the burial shroud for old Laertes
  3. Win a chariot race around the whole island of Ithaca
Show the answers

(a) Mentes, lord of the Taphians

(b) Odysseus blinded Poseidon's son Polyphemus

(c) String Odysseus' bow and shoot through twelve axes

Your turn: Higher Level questions on Odyssey: plot & key episodes.

Higher Level

Asked on 3 of the last 3 Higher Level papers, most recently in 2025. banker

Every paper, year by year

YearWhere it came up
2025Q14
2024Q8, Q13
2023Q10, Q12

Links open the State Examinations Commission’s paper for that year.

More Odyssey: plot & key episodes questions

Odyssey: plot & key episodes, 2 marks

Which servant recognises Odysseus by his boar-tusk scar while washing his feet?

  1. Eumaeus, the swineherd
  2. Melantho, a maid
  3. Eurycleia, his old nurse
Show the answer

Eurycleia, his old nurse

Eurycleia knows the scar from a boar hunt in his youth. Odysseus grips her throat to silence her: recognition must wait until he is ready to strike the suitors.

Odyssey: plot & key episodes, 2 marks

Which king does Telemachus visit at Sparta in Odyssey 4?

  1. Alcinous
  2. Menelaus
  3. Nestor
Show the answer

Menelaus

Menelaus and Helen host Telemachus at Sparta. Menelaus reports that the sea-god Proteus told him Odysseus is held by Calypso. Nestor is the king Telemachus visits first, at Pylos.

Odyssey: plot & key episodes, 2 marks

How does Odysseus hear the Sirens' song and survive?

  1. Tied to the mast; his crew's ears plugged with wax
  2. He plugs his own ears with wax like his crew
  3. Athena sings louder to drown out their voices
Show the answer

Tied to the mast; his crew's ears plugged with wax

Circe warns him in advance. He alone hears the song, tied upright to the mast, and his men row on with wax in their ears, tightening his ropes when he begs to be freed.

Ordinary Level

Asked on 3 of the last 3 Ordinary Level papers, most recently in 2025. banker

Every paper, year by year

YearWhere it came up
2025Q5
2024Q5
2023Q9

Links open the State Examinations Commission’s paper for that year.

More Odyssey: plot & key episodes questions

Odyssey: plot & key episodes, 2 marks

In the Odyssey, which goddess helps Telemachus while disguised as Mentor?

  1. Hera
  2. Calypso
  3. Athena
Show the answer

Athena

Athena is Odysseus' patron goddess. In Books 1–4 she takes human disguises to push Telemachus to stand up to the suitors and go looking for news of his father.

Odyssey: plot & key episodes, 2 marks

How did Odysseus' crew sail safely past the Sirens?

  1. Hermes carried the ship past
  2. Their ears were blocked with wax
  3. They sailed past at night
Show the answer

Their ears were blocked with wax

Circe gave the advice. The crew plugged their ears with beeswax and tied Odysseus to the mast, so he heard the song but could not steer towards it.

Odyssey: plot & key episodes, 2 marks

What contest does Penelope set for the suitors?

  1. String Odysseus' bow and shoot through 12 axes
  2. Win a chariot race around the island of Ithaca
  3. Wrestle Telemachus in the great hall
Show the answer

String Odysseus' bow and shoot through 12 axes

Only Odysseus has the strength and skill to string the great bow. Once it is in his hands, he turns it on the suitors.

Other Classical Studies topics

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