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Wacky Wordsmith

Name: Jerome Lim Text: The Odyssey of HomerDate: 31 August 2010Books: XIII to XV

Wacky Wordsmith: As the author of the two most famous epics in ancient Greekliterature, Homer helped define the Western World's vocabulary landscape. Your task isto look for at least TEN WONDER WORDS , important words or phrases in the text whichyou deem crucial to the text. If you find words that are puzzling or unfamiliar, list themdown in the second table, “ NEW TO MY VOCABULARY” . Record the meaning that youcame up with and indicate its significance. Include words that you consider significant orcrucial to the text. When your circle meets, discuss the words, the reason(s) why youthink they are Wonder Words, and how you came up with their meaning. Ask them tosuggest additional Wonder Words to your list.

“WONDER WORDS” Book # Definition and Significance

Fatherland 13 A person’s native country. This may meandenote the patriotism of Odysseus, or thesignificance of men over the women. Hence, theuse of “fatherland” rather than “motherland”

vagabond

14 Penelope’s suitors are described as people who wonderfrom place to place without a home or job. This has abad connotation to the suitors.

stubble14 The cut stalks of grain plants left sticking out of the

ground after the grain is harvested. Everything has itshumble beginnings.

mad wine14 The wine is described as “mad” because it is

capable of making the drinker to do someundesirable things.

worshipful15 Entitled to honor or respect. This shows

the greatness of Menelaos.

Immortal night15 The night seemed to go on forever. This may be

because of the numerous thoughts runningthrough his mind.

Excessive infriendship

15 Here, Menelaos explains that too much of agood thing, such as hospitality, is also bad.

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unreluctant15 This showed that Telemachus and Nestor had

no hesitation whatsoever with what they weredoing. They had little fear of what might happento them.

Green untimely oldage

15This may denote that the aging of Laertes maybe “unripe” or “young” or “premature”

portent15 A sign or warning that something, especially

something momentous or calamitous, is likelyto happen. This can be considered aforeshadowing that something will happen inthe near future.

“NEW TO MY VOCABULARY”

Book # Definition and Significance

libation 13A drink poured out as an offering to a deity

(Zeus of)aegis

13 The protection, backing, or support of aparticular person or organization. This showedhow Zeus served as the hero’s protectorthroughout his journey.

whiplash 13 The lashing action of a whip

promontory15 a point of high land that juts out into a

large body of water. This gives an idea ofthe geography of Ithaka

victuals 15 Food or provisions, typically as prepared forconsumption