Introduction to the Odyssey English I Mrs. Groomer

Homer: The Epic Poet A blind poet Accredited with the story telling of The Iliad The Odyssey Scholar debated his actual existence

The Iliad & The Odyssey Common Elements The Trojan War Heroism of Odysseus Interference of the gods

The Trojan War Occurred around 1200 BC Paris, a Trojan prince, kidnapped the beautiful Helen from her husband, Menelaus, King of Sparta The Greeks fought Troy for ten years

The Heroism of Odysseus Odysseus has the Greeks build a giant wooden horse which is left at the gates of Troy as a peace offering The Trojans take the horse into the gates of the city At night, while the Trojans are asleep, hundred of Greek soldiers come out of the horse to defeat the Trojans

The Odyssey After the war, Odysseus and his men load their ships and make way for home. Along the way, they encounter numerous obstacles and adventures. Meanwhile, Penelope (Odysseus’ wife) is at home on Ithaca raising their son, Telemachus and trying to elude marriage to one of the many suitors.

The Intervention of Gods Athena Goddess of War and Wisdom Supported the Greeks in the Trojan War Guardian Goddess of Odysseus Poseidon Curses Odysseus to be lost at sea and return to bad things at home. Apollo Threatened to take the sun out of the sky Zeus Sent a bolt of lightening to destroy Odysseus’ crew and ship as revenge for Apollo after they ate Apollo’s cattle.

More Gods & Goddesses Hermes Brings a message to Calypso from Zeus to release Odysseus Calypso Holds Odysseus captive on her island for seven years Aeolus Guardian of the wind – gives Odysseus a bag of wind Circe Goddess of Aeaea – turns Odysseus’ men into pigs

Other Mythological Characters Sirens Creatures whose songs lure sailors to their death Scylla Six-headed sea monster who devours sailors Charybdis A dangerous personified whirlpool that sucks in ships Polyphemus Cyclops; son of Poseidon

Odysseus’ Journey

Terms to Know Epic Poem Epic Hero Epic Simile Epithet Allusion A long narrative poem usually about an heroic journey or adventure Epic Hero A larger-than-life figure who undergoes a great journey and possesses remarkable strength and cunning Epic Simile A simile that goes on for several lines Epithet A brief descriptive phrase used to characterize a particular person or thing (son of Laertes; raider of cities) Allusion A reference to a famous person, place, or event