By: Homer

A long time ago in a place far, far away… There was a man named Homer…

…and his epic called the Odyssey

An Introduction to Homer’s Odyssey

Homer: The Man of Mystery

Who was HOMER? Homer was a blind minstrel (he told stories to entertain and to make his living); audiences had to listen carefully (this is “oral tradition” so there was a lot of repetition) Minstrel: a medieval singer or musician, especially one who sang or recited lyric or heroic poetry to a musical accompaniment for the nobility.

Other traveling poets (called rhapsodes) memorized and recited these epics in the banquet halls of kings and noble families

Homer Although Homer was blind, it is believed that he once did have vision since his writings are so vivid and descriptive.

History is vague on Homer’s identity; some say he is just a legend, others say that a whole series of rhapsodes composed various parts of the epics The epics were not originally written--the Greek alphabet didn’t appear until 725 BC

Great Epics of Ancient Greece Homer used the Olympian Gods and Goddess in most of his poems He is most Famous for The Odyssey and The Iliad

Why do we read The Odyssey? The Odyssey is part of our cultural capital as Westerners   Birthplace of Western civilization: Greece-Rome-Europe-Americas Great adventure story! Has stood the test of time—a classic! Follows the Hero’s Journey pattern! AND because we have to

The Epic

Epic- a long narrative poem that relates the deeds of a hero

MYTH AND EPIC “Myth” is a story that uses fantasy to express ideas about life not easily done in realistic terms (it also stresses the relationship of human beings to a higher, spiritual realm)

An epic contains the following elements: 1. Hero- is child of a god Has a remarkable birth or childhood Possesses unusual strength or powers Has traits valued by society Conceals or does not know his identity

An epic contains the following elements : 2. Quest Journey taken search of something of value

An epic contains the following elements: 3. Challenges- Faced by the hero during the quest

An epic contains the following elements: 4. Assistance- To the hero in the form of friends, animals, gods, or magical objects

EPICS Things you will discover once you have read an Epic: Classical Allusions: references to mythology Example: She had the face that launched a thousand ships—Refers to Helen of Troy from The Illiad. You will find these allusions in other literature, movies, everyday conversations, and even in modern day advertising. Example: Percy Jackson series, Honda Odyssey van, Venus razors, Good Year tires with Hermes wings, etc.

(explains characters’ motivations) Greek Values (explains characters’ motivations) Hospitality: Treat all guests with respect Be nice first, ask questions later A stranger could be a god in disguise! Be our guest, be our guest, put our service to the test. . .

(explains characters’ motivations) Greek Values (explains characters’ motivations) Arete: Greek idea of excellence, an ideal of human perfection Intelligence (be smart and cunning) Strength Courage Duty Qualities as valor and virtue, making up good character

(explains characters’ motivations) Greek Values (explains characters’ motivations) Religion: Actions should please the gods Fate controlled by the god Humans need the gods (man, without the gods, is nothing) [Odysseus’ revelation] Humans should honor gods through sacrifices, asking gods for help, and giving credit to gods

The Iliad and Odyssey are based on the famous Trojan War

Trojan War Images may be subject to copyright.Send feedback                               Goddess Girls 6 Bk Pack: Athena the Brain | Persephone the Phony ... www.amazon.com260 × 237Search by image Goddess Girls 6 Bk Pack: Athena the Brain | Persephone the Phony | Aphrodite the Beauty | Artemis the Brave | Athena the Wise | Artemis the Loyal Related images: View more

For years Menelaus tried to assemble an army, but he was unsuccessful because Greece was not unified nation The war lasted for ten years and The Iliad begins with the last year of the Trojan War

Achilles is the greatest warrior of Greece and Agamemnon is the leader of the Greeks These two argue over Achilles love for a Trojan girl and Achilles withdraws from the war- without Achilles the Trojans have an advantage It is not until one of Achilles friends are killed that he decides to return to war

The man responsible for the fall of Troy is Odysseus, who left his pregnant wife, Penelope, to fight in the war

He had a plan to build a huge wooden horse filled with warriors and leave it outside the gates of Troy When the Trojans are off guard, the warriors climb out of the horse and defeat the Trojan army

Due to Odysseus being responsible for the destruction of Troy, the gods are angry. They are sympathetic to Troy and now he has a long and difficult journey home

This journey, which takes Odysseus ten years, is the story of The Odyssey

A brief descriptive phrase Epithet A brief descriptive phrase Characterizes a person, place or thing Gives story-teller a “breather” Helps with rhyming or meter Examples: rosy-fingered dawn gray-eyed Athena The blue-maned god who makes the islands tremble Son of Laertes and gods of old, master mariner and soldier Ep a that [ep-uh-thet]

Compares epic events to everyday events Homeric Simile Compares epic events to everyday events “…in one stride he clutched at my companions and caught two in his hands like squirming puppies to beat their brains out, spattering the floor.”

In Medias Res in the middle In Medias Res: literary technique in which the plot sequence is out of order; Latin for “in the middle,” the story begins in the middle of the action, flashes back to the beginning to catch up, then skips to the end Example: Forrest Gump Odysseus' Timeline

(composed between 900 & 700 BC!) Homer’s Epics (composed between 900 & 700 BC!) First there was… The Iliad

The Iliad Primary model for the epic of war Set in 10th and final year of the Trojan War Achilles’ role and eventual end

After The Iliad (Aneid by Virgil) Odysseus’ wooden horse trick Greeks defeat the Trojans Odysseus heads for home

The Odyssey Tales of Odysseus

The Travels of Odysseus

The Odyssey Primary model for the epic of the long journey home

THE ODYSSEY Meaning: a long journey with many adventures or a spiritual or intellectual quest The word “odyssey” derives from the name Odysseus, the main character from the Odyssey (he is also referred to as Ulysses in classic literature)

The Odyssey Involves 3 Sets of Characters: The Greek GODS Humans Supernatural monsters and creatures

Post War Trauma Long, exhausting, brutal war (10 years) Odysseus heads for home with nothing but ships and crew

The Odyssey A story told in 3 stages

PART ONE A story of what happens in Ithaca to Odysseus’ wife (Penelope) and son (Telemachus) as they await his return

PART TWO A story of Odysseus’ wanderings after the Trojan War (the war lasted 10 years and his wanderings lasted another 10 years!)

PART THREE A story of how Odysseus returns home to Ithaca and joins forces with his son to destroy his enemies

Why does it take Odysseus 10 years to get home? Read and find out!

And so the epic begins… Meanwhile…there’s trouble at home! In Ithaca, Odysseus is suspected to be dead Suitors have invaded the palace Penelope, Odysseus’ wife, is in an awkward position and must trick the men into leaving her alone Telemachus, Odysseus’ son, resents the imposing situation And so the epic begins…