by Homer
What is an Odyssey? Definition: A long voyage with many changes in fortune. This means a lot of bad stuff is going to happen to the main character!
What is The Odyssey? A long narrative poem, called an epic poem. It contains 11, 300 lines of verse. It is an adventure story about the fall and eventual return of Odysseus, the King of Ithaca. Written by Homer, a famous Greek poet. His first epic poem was called The Iliad and was about the Trojan war.
The Main Character: Odysseus Who is he? The king of Ithaca The hero of the Trojan War. Had the idea to build the Trojan Horse that allowed the Greeks to enter and defeat the city.
The Main Character: Odysseus What is he like? A great solider. An intelligent thinker and problem solver An effective leader and king A loyal (but not necessarily faithful) husband. Arrogant and too proud of his own abilities. (FLAW!)
Characteristics of Epic Poetry A long, narrative poem Tells about the adventures of a physically impressive hero, his heroic deeds and trials (problems) – usually goes on a journey or quest. Reflects the values and ideals of a culture/nation. Uses a vast setting and portrays the past or imaginary past Involves gods and other supernatural beings that take part in the action.
Questions to Consider! What examples from the story can I use to prove that The Odyssey is an epic poem? What ideals and values of the Greeks does Odysseus, our hero, represent? In other words, what characteristics did the Greeks value in their men?
Characteristics of an Epic Hero Is a larger-than-life, great person who embodies the ideals of a culture. He is their perfect example. Goes on long, dangerous adventures that require courage and superhuman strength. Possesses a TRAGIC FLAW that causes him trouble. It will cause him to lose his once high status.
Questions to Consider! What is Odysseus’ tragic flaw? What problems does he experience because of his flaw? How does he overcome his flaw?
Why is The Odyssey Important? The Odyssey becomes the basis of the modern novel. In ancient times, there were no novels. There were only poems. The long, narrative poem eventually leads to the long, narrative story – The novel.
Why are epic poems important? Reason 1: Epics like The Iliad and The Odyssey would have been used in Greek schools to teach students things like… How to act = bravery, intelligence, leadership, hospitality, loyalty to home and family, etc. What to believe in = nationalism, faith in Gods, destiny,
Why are epic poems important? Reason 2 Epics poems were a great achievement of artistic expression for a culture/country. A culture needed a sophisticated and expressive language and a time of prosperity and peace in order to make such an undertaking possible.
If your country was great, powerful, and cultured, then you wanted an epic to celebrate and demonstrate that greatness.
Other great epic poems The Aeneid – Rome The Song of Roland – France The Divine Comedy – Italy Mahabharata and Ramayana – India Leaves of Grass – United States
The influence of The Odyssey is all around us! Movies and Novels King Arthur and the Quest for the Holy Grail The Lord of the Rings Star Wars The Lion King The Wizard of Oz Indiana Jones Forest Gump O’Brother Where Art Thou? Huckleberry Finn