The Odyssey By Homer

Ionian Greeks Greeks of _______developed a tradition of heroic poetry through which they recalled their own history. Poetry centered on figures and events especially those surrounding the legendary figures and events of the ______ War (c. _____ BC)

The Fall of Troy by J.G. Trautmann

A New Age 700s beginning of “_____ period” Emergence of new activity in a variety of fields Growth in population and colonization/adventurers Greater contact of Hellenic communities—Oracle of Apollo, Olympic Games (founded 776 B.C.)

The ____ Games—776 B.C. Temple of Hera, _______ (Elis), Greece Discus Thrower

It’s Greek to me! Hellenic peoples traded with __________ Learned from them a system of writing with an alphabet Greek Linear __ writing This alphabet (combined Greek, Phoenician, and Etruscan) would become the Roman alphabet—adopted by other languages, including ______.

Greek Alphabet

Greek Literature Begins The new language spread and was put to use. _____ and Odyssey came into being Epic poetry

Who was ______? Greek literature’s two greatest epics are attributed to Homer. The works cannot be accurately dated. We know virtually nothing about Homer. The Greeks believed he was ______ because of the blind bard in the Odyssey.

Homer again Seven different cities claim to be his birthplace— all in _____ on the western coast of ____ Minor. Late 800s-700s B.C.

Definition of ____ A long _______ poem written in an elevated style that presents characters of high position in adventures—usually related to a central heroic figure and episodes important to the ______ of a race or nation

____ Epic Epics of known authorship The Aeneid by ______ is an example.

_____ Epic Epics without certain authorship are called folk epics. Homer’s Iliad and ______ are examples.

Characteristics of Epic epic hero: a figure of great, sometimes larger-than-life stature who possesses the ______ of the society in which he lives The setting is ____, covering great nations, the world, or the universe. The action consists of deeds of great valor or requiring superhuman _______.

Conventions continued Supernatural forces—gods, angels, demons—interest themselves in the action. A style of sustained elevation is used. The poet retains a measure of __________.

Common Epic Devices Poet states a theme Invokes _____ Opens “in _____ res” (in the middle of things) Includes catalogues of warriors, ships, armies, etc. Extended formal _______ by main characters Frequent use of epic ______ (elaborate comparisons—also called Homeric simile)

Epic Meter Dactylic ________—based on quantity of vowels/syllables _____ feet (measures) of dactyls Dactyl=One long syllable followed by two short syllables (-uu); e.g. dinosaur A line of dactylic hexameter scanned looks like this: -uu/-uu/-uu/-uu/-uu/-- Rhythms and structure helped make the poem easier to ________ and recite.

Epic terms Epic simile Epic _______ Repetition Metaphor Simile

The Odyssey Homer took oral tradition and reshaped into two poems Various pieces used to create poems: Myths about gods and heroes of old Myths about war with Troy Folk tales Set passages describing scenes of sacrifices, fighting, and funerals Descriptive phrases, epithets, about people and nature

The Odyssey Prime values of Greek culture included courage, strength, skill, intelligence, loyalty, respect for all forms of life and hospitality. Principal goals sought by Greek men were _____and _____.

Homeric Hero Homer’s heroes were aristocrats, born to be _______. Heroic values Hero faces death—concentrates on what he can control—_______ of life, nature of death—how he faces death, how heroic his adversaries are, how well he fights

Hero continued What others think of the hero is important Greatest insult to the hero is for others not to give the hero the ______ due him Everlasting _____/glory is the ultimate honor (see kleos on the next slide)

Important Greek ideas Nostos-______ _____-hospitality Kalokagathia-a literary tradition of equating beauty with ______ Kleos-glory, reputation Hubris-excessive pride; almost always leads to ________ “Nothing in excess.” “Know ______.”

Themes An _______—extended wandering with many changes in fortune Nostos—Odysseus’ goal is to _____ Xenia—Odyssey is an extended lesson in decorum and hospitality. Gods—reflect the forces of _____; cosmic ____—the idea that that gods toy with human emotions for fun

Themes cont’d Gods—reflect the forces of nature e.g. Poseidon (the antagonist of Odysseus) symbolizes passion, emotion, and the forces of nature (especially ______ and ______) Gods—also reflect the forces of _____ --e.g. Athena (the patron of Odysseus) symbolizes reason and civilization.

Big choices Immortality or __________(episode where Calypso offers him immortality) Hero as survivor—not a paragon of virtue Fate vs. ____ will

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