Transcript Level 2 HOMER’S ODYSSEY BK1 Classical Studies Examine and analyse passage(s) from work(s) of classical literature in translation (90247) Assessment Report • Successful candidates were able to.

Level 2
HOMER’S ODYSSEY BK1
Classical Studies
Examine and analyse passage(s) from work(s) of
classical literature
in translation (90247)
Assessment Report
• Successful candidates were able to examine and analyse the extracts of
the classical works provided in the examination. They had read the set
texts carefully and were able to respond accurately to questions about
context, plot, and historical background.
• Analysis requires methodical and detailed discussion. Candidates should
be guided by the number of lines provided in their answer booklets.
• In order to gain Merit or Excellence, candidates must identify the key
elements of the question and respond with both precision and insight.
• Answers to questions (e), (f), and (g) should not be brief, generalised,
vague, or unsupported by textual evidence. Description is not sufficient at
Level 2, whether describing techniques of writing, or mythological and
historical context.
• It should also be emphasised that questions (e), (f), and (g) provide
another chance to gain Achievement, as well as the opportunity for Merit
and Excellence. They should not be left out in the belief that they generate
only Merit or Excellence.
Judgement Statement
• Achievement: four correct answers are required from
questions (a)–(g)
• Merit: Achievement PLUS two correct answers are required
from Merit questions /appropriate evidence from Excellence.
• Excellence: Merit PLUS ONE correct answer to an Excellence
question.
TOPIC ONE: HOMER’S ODYSSEY 1
She found the insolent suitors sitting in front of the door on hides of oxen
they themselves had slaughtered, playing with counters; their squires
and pages were busy round them, some blending wine and water in the
mixing bowls, and others carving meat in lavish portions and wiping
down the tables with sponges before they set them ready.
The first to see her was Telemachus the godlike youth, who was sitting
disconsolate among the suitors, imagining how his noble father might
come back out of the blue, drive the suitors headlong from the house,
and so regain his royal honours, and reign over his own once more. Full
of these visions, he caught sight of Athena and set off at once for the
porch, ashamed that a stranger should be kept standing at the gates.
He went straight up to his visitor, grasped his right hand, took his
bronze spear and gave him cordial greetings. “Welcome, friend!” he
said. “You can tell us what has brought you here when you have had
some food.”
(Odyssey, Book 1)
a) Explain the reference to “she” in line 1. What is the
purpose of her visit?
Questn ach
‘She’ is Athena,
(a)
mer
exc
she is patron to both
Odysseus &
Telemachus.
She has come to encourage ..because he is unable ..and is unable to
Telemachus to be braver/and to deal with the suitors ‘grow’ not knowing
go find word of his father.
his standing in his
fathers house
Both needed
Both needed
b) What form did “she” assume and how did she depart?
Questn
achievement
merit
‘She’ is disguised as Mentes
-a foreigner
-chief of the Tapheans
-with a ship of iron/copper
-a guest-friend of
Odysseus
-as were their fathers
(b)
excellence
She flies away like some
wild seabird
Both needed
2 of these (or alternatives)
4 or more merit points
c) Where exactly does this conversation occur and what is
going on at the time?
Questn
(c)
achievement
merit
In the courtyard of the house
of
Odysseus/Penelope/Telema
chus
The suitor are feasting /
excellence
4 or more merit points
-They have been eating
Odysseus’ household out
of house and home,
-upsetting Telemachus,
-generally being
discourteous
-for 3 years.
2 of these (or alternatives)
d) Discuss ONE example from Book 1 which shows that the
suitors disrespect a custom of the time?
Questn
(d)
achievement
merit
Abusing the custom of
guest-friendship by
overstaying their welcome
at Odysseus house
The custom of guest
friendship required that
any guest who came to
your door was treated
to hospitality (free
food, bed,
entertainment and
gifts) for a few days.
Blaming the situation on
Penelope leading them on
and not choosing one to
marry
Refusing Telemachus
request that they leave.
Playing with counters while
the servants were working
for them
Any one
excellence
Any 2 achieved points
e) Explain THREE of the rituals involved in guest friendship.
For each one, provide a specific example from Book 1.
Questn
(e)
Achievement
2 of the merit
points
Merit
-
Being courteously greeted – the way
Telemachus greets Athena/Mentes when she
turns up at the gate (he is shamed that she
has been left waiting there)
-
Provided with food/wine/shelter – the suitors
being fed/put-up at the house of Odysseus
OR Mentes by Telemachus
-
Entertainment – the suitors have a bard sing
to them during their feasts.
-
Reciprocating – how Mentes and his father
has an established guest-friendship with
Odysseus and his father (Laertes).
-
Not outstaying your welcomes – the way the
suitors have, and are challenged about it by
Telemachus.
Or 1 with
example.
Three with examples
Excellence
f) How is Penelope portrayed in Book 1? Discuss THREE
characteristics and provide examples to illustrate your answers.
Questn
Achievement
Merit
-
(f)
2 of the merit
points
Fragile/emotional – she cannot bear to hear the
bard sing of her lost husband
Or 1 with
example.
-
Strong– she has the courage to interrupt the
singing to ask them to stop.
-
Modest/etiquette – only appears before the
suitors accompanied and veiled.
-
Wise mother – how she supports and rejoices
when Telemachus takes control in the house
when speaking up for the bard’s song.
-
Cunning – her trick with the loom to hold up the
time when she must decide which suitor to
marry.
-
Beautiful – that epithet is given her when she
first appears on the stairs from her room.
3 characteristics with examples
Excellence
g i ) Discuss THREE of characteristics of Telemachua s he is portrayed
in the extract? Provide examples to illustrate your answers.
Questn
(g i)
Achievement
Merit
1 with example 2 of the
excellence
points with
example
Excellence
Handsome/godlike – meaning handsome is the
first epithet given to him
Disconsolate – he is grieving the situation in his
home/the loss of his father
Unconfident/powerless – he is dreaming of his
fathers return to save the situation.
Sensitive – he is ashamed that the visitor has
been kept waitng.
Courteous – he graciously welcomes the visitor
and will feed him before he need explain himself
3 of these
g ii) How does the character of Telemachus differ inother parts of
book 1. Discuss TWO other characteristics to illustrate your answers.
Questn
(g ii)
Achievement
Merit
Excellence
2 without
examples
1 of the
excellence points
with example
Assertive – with his mother over the bards
song
Optimistic/energized – after Athena has
challenged hi to grow up and be more like
Orestes who avenged his father’s murder.
Brave – when he stood up for himself against
the suitors, and tried to throw them out.
2 characteristics with examples.