The Odyssey Unit Notes
Epic and Myth Epic Myth A long narrative poem that tells about the adventures of a great hero. Epics embody the values of the people who tell them. A traditional story rooted in a particular culture that usually explains a belief, ritual, or mysterious natural phenomenon.
Features of an Epic A. Tells the story of a hero; a figure of great power or importance. B. The hero has many adventures in a war or on a long journey. C. Often begins in the middle of a story. D. The setting covers a large area of land, sometimes a sea. E. Gods get involved in the hero’s life, sometimes helping or creating difficulties.
Examples of Modern Epics The Hobbit The Wizard of Oz Star Wars Forrest Gump Shreck Lord of the Rings
Homer Author of The Iliad and The Odyssey Minstrel—Traveling singer/storyteller Some say he was blind
Homeric/Epic Simile An extended simile with elaborate descriptive details that continues over a number of lines.
The Iliad Told the story of the Greeks during the 10 year Trojan War before the Odyssey begins. Odysseus—Hero of the Trojan War; devised the wooden-horse plan.
The Odyssey An epic set in ancient Greece that tells the story of the 10 year journey of the hero Odysseus as he tries to return home from the Trojan War. In Medias Res—Means “in the middle.” The Odyssey begins after the Trojan War and continues for another 10 years.
Summarize Take 2 minutes to summarize what you have learned so far!
Odysseus The protagonist of The Odyssey. It was his idea to build the Trojan Horse, which brought an end to the war. Penelope—Odysseus’ loyal and faithful wife. Telemachus—Odysseus’ son. Was an infant when Odysseus left to go to war. Odysseus is a hero in trouble. He is challenged by difficult choices, unfair authority figures, and must work hard to achieve his goal.
Tragic Hero A protagonist who comes to a bad end as a result of his own behavior, usually caused by a specific personality disorder or flaw. Tragic Flaw—The single characteristic (usually negative) or personality disorder which causes the downfall of the protagonist. Pride, Arrogance, Selfishness, etc.
Summarize Take 2 minutes to summarize what you have learned so far!
People and Places Open to page 647 in your booklets. Choose one character and one place—define them on the back of your notes. Give two—Get two! Move around the room and give your description to at least two other people. You should receive two new facts for your notes as well.
Odyssey Part One Vocabulary Adversity Formidable Ravage Profusion Adversary Rancor Abominably Tumult Restitution
Adversity Word Splash Who faces adversity in the Odyssey? Does Odysseus have an adversary? Who? What are some synonyms of adversity? What adversity have you faced?
Formidable Word Splash What are some synonyms for formidable? What/Who in the Odyssey is formidable? Would you want to be called formidable? Why? What have you seen that is formidable? What kind of things are not formidable?
Ravage Word Splash What are some synonyms for ravage? Who from the Iliad and the Odyssey ravages? What are some antonyms for ravage?
Profusion Word Splash What are some synonyms for profusion? What are some antonyms for profusion? What is there a profusion of in the Odyssey?
Rancor Word Splash What are some synonyms of rancor? What are some antonyms of rancor? Who feels rancor for Odysseus? Why?
Abominably Word Splash What are some synonyms for abominably? What are some antonyms for abominably? What are some things that are abominable?
Ardor Word Splash What are some synonyms of ardor? What are some antonyms of ardor? What kind of things do you do arduously?
Tumult Word Splash What are some synonyms of tumult? What are some antonyms? Who does Odysseus have a tumultuous relationship with in The Odyssey?
Restitution Word Splash What are some synonyms for restitution? What are some antonyms of restitution? Who demands restitution from Zeus in The Odyssey? Why?