Understanding The Odyssey: Different Interpretations

History
Year 9 / GCSE / Grade 8
8 questions
~16 mins
1 views0 downloads

About This Worksheet

This worksheet explores different historical interpretations of The Odyssey, encouraging students to compare perspectives and evaluate their validity.

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Understanding The Odyssey: Different Interpretations

Subject: HistoryGrade: Year 9 / GCSE / Grade 8
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Untitled Worksheet

Grade Year 9 / GCSE / Grade 8
A

Interpretations of The Odyssey by Historians

Historian A: Emily Carter – Literary Perspective "Emily Carter argues that The Odyssey is primarily a literary masterpiece that reflects ancient Greek values and cultural identity. She emphasizes the narrative structure, poetic devices, and the themes of heroism and adventure as central to understanding the poem's purpose. Carter believes that the story was intended to inspire and entertain, serving as a reflection of the Greek worldview and their ideas about the gods, fate, and morality. Her approach views The Odyssey as a product of its literary context rather than a historical document."

Historian B: James Thompson – Historical Perspective "James Thompson contends that The Odyssey provides valuable insights into ancient Greek society and history. He suggests that the poem contains references to real historical events, social structures, and cultural practices. Thompson sees the epic as a mixture of myth and history, where gods and heroes symbolize actual historical figures or social ideals. His analysis focuses on uncovering the historical realities behind the myth, viewing The Odyssey as a source for understanding ancient Greek civilization and its values.**

B

Questions

1.
Summarize each historian's view on the purpose of The Odyssey. (4 marks)
[4 marks]
2.
Compare the main differences between Carter's and Thompson's perspectives. (4 marks)
[4 marks]
3.
Explain why Carter and Thompson have different views on The Odyssey. (4 marks)
[4 marks]
4.
Evaluate which historian's interpretation you find more convincing and explain why. (6 marks)
[6 marks]
5.
Identify one limitation of Carter's perspective and one limitation of Thompson's perspective. (4 marks)
[4 marks]
6.
Outline how combining both perspectives can give a fuller understanding of The Odyssey. (4 marks)
[4 marks]
7.
Describe one example from The Odyssey that supports Thompson's view of it as a historical source. (4 marks)
[4 marks]
8.
Summarize the main argument of each historian in one sentence. (4 marks)
[4 marks]

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Details

Created
1/1/2026
Updated
1/1/2026
Type
worksheet