 An long narrative poem describing action, travel, adventures, and heroic episodes. ▪ It is written in a somewhat lyric style. ▪ It may have as many as twenty four books (chapters).  Typical in epics -poem begins with a statement of the theme.

 The deeds of the hero are presented without favoritism, revealing his failings as well as his virtues.  The action, often in battle, reveals the more-than-human strength of the heroes as they engage in acts of heroism and courage.

 Attraction to the muse or other idol/god  Histories and descriptions of significant items (Trojan Horse)  Use of patronymics calling son by father's name “Laertes’ son" = Odysseus  Long, formal speeches by important characters

 Journey to the underworld  The setting covers several nations, the whole world, or even the universe.  The episodes, even though they may be fictional, provide an explanation for some of the circumstances or events in the history of a nation or people.

 The gods and lesser divinities play an active role in the outcome of actions.  All of the various adventures relates in some way to the central theme

 Homer- Iliad  Homer- Odyssey

1. Supernatural abilities or qualities 2. On a quest/journey 3. Hero is tested often to prove he is worthy 4. Help from mythical people or creatures

5. Travels to the supernatural world that most humans cannot get to 6. The hero must get to a very LOW point where he is about to give up the quest. 7. Goes through a “resurrection” & gets the strength to continue with renewed spirit 8. Regains his rightful place ( as KING etc.)

Homer Thought to be blind, but describes events as a seeing person. He lived around 1200 B.C. and wrote The Illiad and The Odyssey - stories about the war between the Trojans and the Greeks which happened between 900 and 700 B.C. Poet

 The Iliad tells the story of The Trojan War ▪ The most famous story from The Iliad is that of The Trojan Horse, built by Odysseus and his men.  It is a prelude toThe Odyssey

The Trojan Horse

 War began when Paris, Prince of Troy, kidnapped Helen from her husband Menelaus, King of Sparta.  Odysseus built a giant wooden horse and left it outside of Troy as “a peace offering”.  Troy was defeated when Odysseus and his men were able to get inside the walls of Troy concealed within the body of the Trojan horse.

 An epic poem made up of 24 books  The Odyssey is the story of Odysseus’ adventures on his way home from the war, and the events that happen in Ithaca before he returns.  The hero is long-suffering Odysseus, king of Ithaca and its surrounding islands. He is also the hero of the Trojan War. He has been gone 20 years from his homeland, his wife, Penelope, and his son, Telemachus.

 The Odyssey takes place in the ten years following the Trojan War.  The epic begins in medias res (“in the middle of things”)  The setting changes throughout the epic.

 Incorporates gods & goddesses and supernatural forces  Each of the gods and/or goddesses has something to do with Odysseus & his journey.  Includes strange lands & monsters

 Odysseus is guilty of excessive pride when he gives his name to Polyphemus (Book 9).  Telemachus needs to gain pride so that he can stand up to the suitors who have dishonored his house.

 Odysseus cannot resist temptation, he stays on Circe‘s and Calypso’s islands.  His men are tempted by the Lotus Eaters as well as Circe; and by greed several times –  causing them to stay too long at the land of the Cicones  to open Aeolus' gift  and finally to eat the cattle of the sun god

 Penelope waits faithfully for twenty years for her husband’s return.  Another example is Telemachus, who stands by his father against the suitors.

 Penelope and Odysseus are both survivors.  Penelope has kept hope that Odysseus was alive and did not remarry.  Odysseus has been absent for twenty years, ten at the Trojan War and ten more in his journey home.

 Poseidon and Odysseus are the most noticeable representatives of the theme of vengeance.  In order to escape from the cave of Polyphemus, Odysseus blinds the one-eyed giant (Book 9).  Unfortunately, the Cyclops is the sea god Poseidon’s son; Odysseus now has a fearsome enemy.

 Odysseus- The protagonist of The Odyssey. He is a strong and courageous warrior but is mostly known for his wisdom and quick thinking.  He is a favorite of the goddess Athena, who often sends him divine aid.  He is the bitter enemy of Poseidon (antagonist), who dislikes Odysseus because Odysseus blinds Poseidon's son Polyphemus.

 Calypso- The beautiful nymph who falls in love with Odysseus when he lands on her island. She holds him prisoner for seven years.  Alcinous- King of the Phaeacians, he welcomes Odysseus on his island and hears the story of Odysseus’ wanderings and provides him with safe passage back to Ithaca.

 Laertes-(mentioned) Odysseus’ father  Circe- a goddess and enchantress who lives on the island of Aeaea. She changes Odysseus’ men into pigs because of their rude behavior.  Zeus- King of gods and men, he sometimes helps Odysseus or permits Athena to help him.

Athena- Daughter of Zeus and goddess of wisdom & war  She assists Odysseus and Telemachus with divine powers throughout the epic.  She often appears in disguise as Mentor, an old friend of Odysseus  Apollo- Son of Zeus and god of the sun, music, poetry, prophecy & medicine

 Poseidon- the god of the sea, earthquakes & horses. Brother of Zeus, father of Polyphemus  Polyphemus -the cyclops that battles Odysseus.

 Aeolus- the guardian of the winds  Eurylochus-a trusted officer of Odysseus  Persephone- wife of the ruler of the underworld- Hades

 Hermes, the messenger god, persuades Calypso to let Odysseus leave her island  Tiresias of Thebes- a blind prophet whose spirit visits Odysseus in the underworld

 Sirens- creatures, part woman and part bird whose songs lure sailors to their death  Scylla- 6-headed sea monster who eats sailors  Charybdis- a dangerous whirlpool personified as a female sea monster

 Helios- the sun god  Laestrygones- cannibals on a distant island

 Antinous- a suitor of Penelope  Eyrymachus- a suitor of Penelope

 Telemachus- Odysseus and Penelope’s son  Eumaeus- A servant in Odysseus’ house  Philoetius- A servant in Odysseus’ house  Eurycleai- an old female servant, loyal to Odysseus