The Odyssey “Written” by Homer (a blind poet) around 700 BC Passed down through generations Based on Greek mythology

What is an Epic? Has an original plot structure Characters are realistic but heroic and have flaws like regular men Includes fabulous monsters Epics are long but exciting

Homer’s Epics 1. Include The Iliad and The Odyssey 2. Tell a story 3. Express values of the Greek society

Before The Odyssey… There was The Iliad

The story of The Iliad The Trojan War Probable cause was economics $$$ Troy controlled all trade and shipping (everything was surrounded by water) Greeks couldn’t expand trade Declared war on Troy

The story of The Iliad Legendary cause of the Trojan War?

A Woman Helen of Troy: The face that launched a thousand ships

She was married to a Greek king

But was in love with a Trojan Prince Helen of Troy

The Trojan War Lasted 10 years Until…

The Trojan Horse Odysseus (our hero) had an idea to trick the Trojans into letting down their guard Troy

Film clip from Troy

The Odyssey Picks up where The Iliad left off Odysseus has angered the gods by making a false sacrifice The gods don’t like proud men who don’t give them credit They punish Odysseus by making his journey home last 10 years

Three Plot Strands in the Odyssey 1. Odysseus’ journey home to Ithaca after the Trojan War (20 years total) 2. What happens in Ithaca while Odysseus is away—his wife Penelope and his son Telemachus have been waiting for him 3. O’s return to Ithaca—his fight to keep his family and land

Creatures of The Odyssey The Cyclops

The Sirens

Scylla

Charybdis