The Odyssey question and answer booklet: Book 8

1. What's the name of the bard at Alcinous' palace?
Demodocus
2. What is the subject of the bard's first song?
The famous deeds of the heroes- the quarrel  of Odysseus and Achilles son Peleus.
3. How does this song affect Odysseus and why do you think this is so?
He drew the purple cloak over his head and began to cry- he didn't want the Phaeacians to see him crying.
4. What is the subject of the bard's second song?
Ares and Aphrodite- Aphrodite had an affair on Hephaestus with Ares, Hephaestus cunningly caught them.
5. What gifts does Odysseus receive from each of the 13 princes?
The princes gave him fresh cloaks, tunics and a talent of sterling gold. Eurylaus gave him a sword of bronze which has a silver hut and a newly carved ivory handle.
6. Why does Eurylaus have to make a special gift?
Because he undermined Odysseus and offended him
7. What is the subject of the bard's third song?
The stratagem of the trojan horse.
8. At what point exactly does Alcinous learn the identity of his guest?
When he sees Odysseus crying during the songs.
9. What is special about Phaeacian ships and what is the prophecy associated with them?
Poseidon said that some day the gods would wreck one of their fine ships on the misty sea as she came home from a journey- thats what the old king used to say.