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Summary:  (Emily)
Alcinous took Odysseus where the Phaecians held assemblies. Meanwhile Athene posed as a herald sent by Alcinous. She spread the word to the Phaecians that Alcinous was going to address a stranger from a far-away land that looked like an immortal god. Athene made Odysseus look stronger and taller to the Phaecians, to get the point across better. The entire meeting-place was filled with people to hear about this man. The leader of the Phaecians stood up and spoke of Odysseus, as the man whose name he did not know, but who needed help returning home. He commanded fifty-two young oarsmen to accompany this voyage, along with princes to entertain him at the palace. Then men were chosen, and the squire set out to find the god Demodocus. They dragged the ship into the sea, and readied it for the voyage. It sailed to their king’s house, where he had already made numerous animal sacrifices for supper. The squire showed up with the favorite bard and then the feast began. The bard sang stories of the Quarrel of Odysseus, and the Achilles son of Peleus. The minstrel while telling Odysseus’ tale upset Odysseus and he covered his face while he grieved. Nobody noticed except the king, who took immediate action. He directed all the people outside to show Odysseus that they were the best at sports when he got back home. The first event was the race. The quickest was Clytoneus who shot ahead to the finish. (He had a very good lead.) Next was wrestling, in which Euryalus won. Amphialus won the jump, and Elatreus won at discus. Alcinous’ handsome son Laodamas won boxing. Laodamas challenged the guest, (Odysseus,) to participate, and he kindly turned him down. Then Euryalus retaliated with an insult of Odysseus’ character, in which he shrugged off by calling him in short an idiot. So Odysseus got up to try his hands at the sports. He picked up a by-far heavier discus than anyone else used and threw it further. He lectured the masses after that about how he could match the Phaecians in almost any sport except running, and said he was the best archer and spear-thrower. After he was done, Alcinous spoke and said that at least Zeus had given then outstanding seamanship, running, and dance. In saying so, they started entertaining Odysseus with dance and song. The minstrel started telling the tale of Aphrodite and her love affairs and their consequences. Afterwards, two Phaecians started to dance and toss a ball around and show their skill at the game. Alcinous instructed the people to make parting-gifts for Odysseus. Euryalus apologized for his insults, and presented Odysseus with a bronze sword. Alcinous ordered the maids to start a hot bath for Odysseus and pack away all his fine parting gifts, which were mostly new cloaks. After he bathed, he went down for his final supper with the Phaecians, and the minstrel began telling stories of Odysseus and the Trojan Horse. Alcinous once again found Odysseus grieving and halted the bard and his tale. He asked Odysseus of his real name, and from where he lived, and then where he had travelled, and what he had seen.

Major Themes: (Jessica)
Homeric hero loyalty




=The majority of this chapter is on the island of Scheri. Odysseus attents a race/other sports events. =

Study Guide Questions:
What is Athene doing at the beginning of the chapter? (Shelby)

Disguised herself as a herald from wise Alcinous and went through town asking the people to follow her to the assembly.

What story does the bard sing about? (Shelby) Deeds of heroes such as Achillies and Peleus.

How does Odysseus react to this song? (Dana) he cries

Why do they gather outside? (Dana) to play sports.

How does Euryalus insult Odysseus? (Dana) he says he can't play sports and he isn't strong enough and doesn't have the guts to do it.

What is Odysseus’s retort? (Dana) he goes does it and says the gods didn't give everyone as much power as they gave him.

What game does Odysseus say he is the best at? (Dani)
 * -yo u throw a heavy object and see who can throw it the farthest**

What story does the bard tell next? (Dani)
 * -love of Ares and Aphrodite of the beautiful diadem**

How does Hephaestus trap Ares and Aphrodite? (Dani)
 * -got chains that could never be broke apart and tied them up together**

What does Alcinous offer Odysseus as a gift? (Dani)
 * -fresh cloak, a tunic and a talent of sterling gold**

What does Euryalus give him? <span style="color: rgb(29,24,247);">(Brianna) <span style="color: rgb(18,255,0); font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive�75�;">They give Odysseus gifts to take on his journey home.

What song does Odysseus Demodocus to sing? <span style="color: rgb(29,24,247);">(Brianna) <span style="color: rgb(181,50,231);">He sings of the Trojan Horse and the sack of Troy.

Why does Alcinous stop the song? <span style="color: rgb(29,24,247);">(Brianna) <span style="color: rgb(19,154,205);">Because he notices that it is Odysseus and wanted hm to explain who he is, where is going, and where he is from. <span style="color: rgb(29,24,247);">