The Odyssey

Homer poet thought to be blind, but describes events as a seeing person lived around 1200 B.C.E

Homer Wrote the Illiad and the Odyssey - stories about the war between the Trojans and the Greeks which had happened between 900 and 700 B.C.E.

Background The Odyssey is a sequel (the second book in a series). It is the second of Homer’s two great epic poems. Part one is called The Iliad.

The Iliad The Iliad is the story of the Trojan War which might actually have taken place around 1250 B.C.

The gods and goddesses of Ancient Greece are important characters. They take sides in the war and help the human characters.

According to the myth, the war started this way: Paris was a prince in the city of Troy. Three goddesses asked him to judge who among them was the most beautiful. Aphrodite, the goddess of love, offered Paris a reward if he chose her. She said he could have Helen, the most beautiful woman in the world. However, Helen was married to Menelaus, the King of Sparta, a city in Greece. When Paris visited Sparta, Aphrodite made Helen fall in love with him. Helen ran away with Paris.

Menelaus and his brother, Agamemnon, led a Greek army against Troy to bring her back. The war that followed is called the Trojan War after the name Troy.

The Iliad takes place during the last months of the Trojan War. Its hero is Achilles, a mighty Greek warrior. The Iliad ends with the funeral of Hector, a Trojan hero who is killed by Achilles. The story tells of many heroes on both sides. Of the Greek heroes is named Odysseus.

The Trojan Horse

The Odyssey The Odyssey is named for Odysseus. Odysseus is the King of Ithaca, and island off the coast of Greece. According to the myth, Odysseus did not want to fight at Troy. He did not want to leave his wife, Penelope, and his baby son, Telemachus.

Odysseus had to be tricked into joining the Greek army. Once he was involved in the fighting, however, he proved to be brave and clever. In fact, Odysseus thought of the trick that finally won the war for the Greeks – Trojan Horse The Odyssey is mostly about Odysseus’ adventures after the Trojan War. In one adventure he makes an enemy of Poseidon, the Sea God – he blinds Poseidon’s son Cyclops Poseidon punishes him by making him wander the seas, never allowing him to reach home.

Characteristics of an epic The setting is vast, covering great nations, the world or the universe. The action consists of deeds of great valor or requiring superhuman courage. Supernatural forces—gods, angels, demons — interest themselves in the action.

Characteristics of Epic Hero Unique birth – the hero’s literal birth or familial origin is uncommon Origin is mysterious – the nature of how the hero became a hero is shrouded in mystery. Extraordinary powers – these do not have to be super powers. These are any ability that makes them extraordinary. Tragic flaw or weakness – every hero has limitations or something that makes them vulnerable. This may be a physical object, a principle, or a disposition. Rite of passage – every hero goes through tests and training to prove themselves. Has a nemesis – every hero has a main enemy. This villain is often a darker reflection of the hero. Achieves his/her destiny – the archetypal hero always finds success in the long run. In essence, the hero always wins in the end. A stand for good – the hero is morally and principally good character. S/he never embodies evil qualities beyond momentary weakness.