The Odyssey Book 8 Study Questions

1. What does the figure of the poet/singer Demodokos represent?
2. Think about the tears of Odysseus upon hearing the songs of Demodokos. What does the poet sing about? Why does Odysseus cover his tears?
3. How does Odysseus respond to the invitation to participate in the athletic games? What do we learn about the wisdom of Odysseus from his speech?
4. Demokokos sings about the love affair between Ares and Aphrodite. How do the gods react to this song and why? 
5. Describe Odysseus’s behavior toward Demodokos. Why does he behave this way? 
6. What is the prophecy told by the king at the banquet?
7.  How is Odysseus’s identity revealed?
8. Consider Odysseus’s behavior in Book 8. How does he portray the qualities of an epic hero in this book?