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The Odyssey

Homer · Adventure, loyalty and the journey home

B150–60 minutesClassic LiteraturePrintable
Teacher note: This is an original simplified overview of selected episodes, not a quotation or a complete retelling. Explain epic, Cyclops, Sirens and mast. Discuss ancient Greek mythology as part of the literary setting. The full poem contains violence; this overview avoids graphic detail. The linked translation uses Ulysses for Odysseus.
Teacher AnswersClassic Literature
1Lesson Goals
AI illustration of Odysseus aboard an ancient Greek ship looking towards an island at sunrise

I will be able to:

  • summarise Odysseus’s journey home.
  • use vocabulary about adventures.
  • describe past actions and background events.
  • support an opinion about a character.

Start here: What might someone miss during a long journey away from home?

2Read the Story

The Odyssey is an ancient Greek epic poem traditionally attributed to Homer. An epic is a long poem about important events and extraordinary adventures. Its hero, Odysseus, is trying to return to Ithaca after the Trojan War.

His journey home takes ten years. He faces storms, monsters and difficult choices. In one famous episode, the one-eyed Cyclops Polyphemus traps him and his men in a cave. Odysseus uses a clever plan to escape, but afterwards he proudly reveals his name. This creates further danger.

Later, the sailors pass the Sirens, whose beautiful songs tempt travellers towards danger. The men put wax in their ears. Odysseus wants to hear the songs, so he has himself tied to the mast. While the sailors are rowing, he listens without being able to leave the ship.

At home, his wife Penelope faces men who want to marry her and take his place. His son Telemachus searches for news of him. Odysseus eventually returns, overcomes the men threatening his household and reunites with his family.

The poem explores homecoming, loyalty, cleverness and pride. Odysseus is resourceful, but his decisions are not always wise.

Original simplified overview; not a quotation. Read The Odyssey at Project Gutenberg. AI illustration.

3Vocabulary

Match 1–6 with A–F.

  1. epic
  2. voyage
  3. resourceful
  4. temptation
  5. loyalty
  6. reunion

A. a meeting after being apart
B. able to find ways to solve problems
C. a long poem about major events or heroic adventures
D. a strong wish to do something that may be unwise
E. continued support for someone or something
F. a long journey, especially by sea

Use two words in your own sentences.

4Check Your Understanding
  1. What type of work is The Odyssey?
  2. Who is traditionally credited with it?
  3. Where does Odysseus want to go?
  4. How long does his journey home take?
  5. What mistake does he make after escaping the Cyclops?
  6. How do the sailors and Odysseus protect themselves from the Sirens?
  7. What are Penelope and Telemachus doing while he is away?

Answer in sentences. Find evidence in the reading.

5Language Focus

Past continuous: was/were + -ing describes an action in progress. Past simple describes a completed event.

Complete the verbs in this imagined scene inspired by the story.

  1. While the sailors ___ (row), Odysseus ___ (hear) a song.
  2. He ___ (listen) when he ___ (feel) a strong wish to leave.
  3. While the ship ___ (move), the sailors ___ (keep) their ears covered.
  4. The men ___ (remove) the wax after they ___ (pass) the danger.
6Think & Speak

Discuss in pairs:

  1. How is Odysseus resourceful? Give an example.
  2. Why might revealing his name be a poor decision?
  3. What can the Sirens episode suggest about temptation?

Useful language: I think… because… / The reading shows… / Although he is clever…

Support your opinion with a detail.

The Odyssey — Continued
7Use Your English

Write 80–100 words. Choose one:

  • A sailor’s diary after passing the Sirens.
  • An imagined homecoming after a long journey.

Use past simple and past continuous. Include a feeling, a challenge and a result.

Check verbs, capitals and punctuation.

8Puzzle or Game

Who or what am I?

  1. I am the island Odysseus calls home.
  2. I am a one-eyed creature who traps travellers.
  3. Our songs tempt sailors towards danger.
  4. I am Odysseus’s wife.
  5. I am his son, searching for news.

Write one new clue for a partner.

9Success Criteria ✓
  • I can explain what an epic is.
  • I can retell two episodes.
  • I can use three new words.
  • I can describe past actions.
  • I can support an opinion with evidence.

Exit reflection: One idea I understand better…

One thing I want to practise…

10Show What You Can Do

Final challenge: Write 6–8 sentences, or prepare a one-minute spoken response, explaining why Odysseus is both clever and imperfect. Include his goal, two episodes and one lesson a reader might take from the story.