December 4 – 13, 2013 Unit Test: December 13, 2013 The Odyssey December 4 – 13, 2013 Unit Test: December 13, 2013

I. Goals A. learn to follow activities of several characters at the same time B. Become comfortable with alien names and settings C. Relate to characters that seem to have little in common with modern ideas D. Put aside immediate need for answers to enjoy the adventure

II. Background A. Homer 1. Greek minstrel – traveling story teller 2. blind 3. lived around 1000 B.C.E 4. considered by Greeks to be their greatest poet

II. Background contd B. Sequel to Homer’s The Illiad – Odysseys being recruited, leaving home (Ithaca) to fight in Trojan Wars Trojan War was fought over beautiful Helen of Troy Odysseus won the war by building the Trojan Horse

III. Epic - characteristics A. long narrative poem B. cannot be told in one sitting C. complex story with several main characters D. story spans many years (more than 10)

III. Epic - contd E. Journey or adventure story F. Has an epic hero G. Contains characters with superhuman powers/abilities H. stories beyond belief

IV. Epic Hero problems B. Unending faith in family, county, god A. Not superhuman but conquers most problems B. Unending faith in family, county, god C. Brave, although often has fears he must overcome D. Purpose is to defeat evil so that all good will prevail

F. Often guided, but not aided, by a higher force that has some E. Intelligent – relies on brains to get him out of trouble F. Often guided, but not aided, by a higher force that has some supernatural abilities G. has to overcome obstacles to achieve success