Odyssey Lecture Notes Odyssey Lecture Notes

Myths  Myths are stories that use fantasy to express ideas about life that cannot be expressed easily in realistic terms.  Myths are essentially religious because they are concerned with the relationship between human beings and the unknown or spiritual realm.  In these stories, a god can be an alter ego, a reflection of a hero’s best or worst qualities.  Myths are stories that use fantasy to express ideas about life that cannot be expressed easily in realistic terms.  Myths are essentially religious because they are concerned with the relationship between human beings and the unknown or spiritual realm.  In these stories, a god can be an alter ego, a reflection of a hero’s best or worst qualities.

Epic  Definition: long narrative poems that tell of the adventures of heroes who in some way embody the values of their civilizations.  Examples from popular entertainment of men and women that are worthy of being a hero/superhero: Superman, Wonder Woman, James Bond, Charlie’s Angels  Definition: long narrative poems that tell of the adventures of heroes who in some way embody the values of their civilizations.  Examples from popular entertainment of men and women that are worthy of being a hero/superhero: Superman, Wonder Woman, James Bond, Charlie’s Angels

Qualities of a Hero / Superhero  Strength  Integrity  Courage  Cunning  Strength  Integrity  Courage  Cunning

Supernatural Powers  Outside or beyond the known laws of nature

Epics and Epic Heroes  Usually represent the concerns and ideals of countries or geographic areas  First epics were passed on through the centuries by oral tradition, or word of mouth before they were written down  Musical techniques make the narrative easier to remember.  Usually represent the concerns and ideals of countries or geographic areas  First epics were passed on through the centuries by oral tradition, or word of mouth before they were written down  Musical techniques make the narrative easier to remember.

Homer  Greek minstrels - traveling poets and song writers whose stories were written down to become the Iliad and the Odyssey.  Credit for this work has generally gone to a minstrel named Homer.  Little is known about Homer, but we do know that he lived around 800 B.C. and that he may have been blind.  Greek minstrels - traveling poets and song writers whose stories were written down to become the Iliad and the Odyssey.  Credit for this work has generally gone to a minstrel named Homer.  Little is known about Homer, but we do know that he lived around 800 B.C. and that he may have been blind.

Oral Storytelling  Iliad and Odyssey represent a monumental artistic achievement in storytelling.  They contain round characters - complex characters that show varied and sometimes contradictory traits; they sometimes surprise us with an action or statement. They are more like real people than flat characters.  Flat characters - reveal only one trait, or aspect of their personality.  Iliad and Odyssey represent a monumental artistic achievement in storytelling.  They contain round characters - complex characters that show varied and sometimes contradictory traits; they sometimes surprise us with an action or statement. They are more like real people than flat characters.  Flat characters - reveal only one trait, or aspect of their personality.

Homeric Poems  Became the basis for Greek education and culture  Every Greek who learned to read would read Homer.  Epics achieved classic status in 400 B.C.  The Greek Philosophers Plato and Aristotle referred to them, and the Greek playwrights Sophocles and Euripides based their dramas on the characters and events set down by Homer.  Homer’s influence spread throughout the world.  Became the basis for Greek education and culture  Every Greek who learned to read would read Homer.  Epics achieved classic status in 400 B.C.  The Greek Philosophers Plato and Aristotle referred to them, and the Greek playwrights Sophocles and Euripides based their dramas on the characters and events set down by Homer.  Homer’s influence spread throughout the world.

Plot of the Iliad  Both epics are based on events that happened around 1200 B.C.  The name Iliad comes from Ilion, another name for Troy, an ancient city located in what is now Turkey.  Iliad tells the story of the Trojan War, and it sets the stage for the Odyssey.  Both epics are based on events that happened around 1200 B.C.  The name Iliad comes from Ilion, another name for Troy, an ancient city located in what is now Turkey.  Iliad tells the story of the Trojan War, and it sets the stage for the Odyssey.

Paris  A prince of Troy, kidnaps the lovely Helen, the queen of the Greek city of Sparta.

Helen  Known as “the face that launched a thousand ships” because the Greeks sail to avenge (to get revenge for) the insult and to bring her back to Sparta.

The Greeks  Rage war against Troy for ten long years.  Though each side loses many men, a stalemate (a deadlock because both sides are equally strong) results as the Greeks cannot penetrate the walled city of Troy, and the Trojans cannot destroy the Greek ships and fortifications.  Rage war against Troy for ten long years.  Though each side loses many men, a stalemate (a deadlock because both sides are equally strong) results as the Greeks cannot penetrate the walled city of Troy, and the Trojans cannot destroy the Greek ships and fortifications.

The Gods  During this conflict, a second war is raging on Mount Olympus, the traditional home of the gods.  The gods who favor the Greeks struggle against the gods who favor the Trojans.  Acting with surprisingly human emotions, the gods push the tide of war back and forth with their interfering.  They decide that Odysseus will not return to his home on the island of Ithaca, where he is king, but will wander the seas for ten more years, suffering great hardships.  During this conflict, a second war is raging on Mount Olympus, the traditional home of the gods.  The gods who favor the Greeks struggle against the gods who favor the Trojans.  Acting with surprisingly human emotions, the gods push the tide of war back and forth with their interfering.  They decide that Odysseus will not return to his home on the island of Ithaca, where he is king, but will wander the seas for ten more years, suffering great hardships.

The Plot of the Odyssey  When The Odyssey begins, ten years have passed since the fall of Troy.  Odysseus has been wandering in search of home and has been kept from of his goal by the gods’ decree.  When The Odyssey begins, ten years have passed since the fall of Troy.  Odysseus has been wandering in search of home and has been kept from of his goal by the gods’ decree.

At Home on Ithaca  His wife and son are faced with troubles of their own.  Their troubles represent a second plot in the Odyssey.  Dozens of suitors (men who seek to marry Penelope and take over Odysseus’ kingdom) try to convince Penelope that Odysseus is dead.  The suitors take over Odysseus’ house and refuse to leave until Penelope chooses one of them as her new husband.  His wife and son are faced with troubles of their own.  Their troubles represent a second plot in the Odyssey.  Dozens of suitors (men who seek to marry Penelope and take over Odysseus’ kingdom) try to convince Penelope that Odysseus is dead.  The suitors take over Odysseus’ house and refuse to leave until Penelope chooses one of them as her new husband.

Third Plot  The two plots meet to form a third when Odysseus returns home and must seek revenge against the suitors.

Themes  The virtues that are prized in the Odyssey are love of home, loyalty to family, and hospitality - as well as the courage and cunning that motivate the heroes of the Iliad.

Odysseus vs. ???  Odysseus battles against:  Natural  Human  Superhuman foe  Odysseus battles against:  Natural  Human  Superhuman foe

Internal and External Obstacles  The Odyssey is the story of people who look for peace and place to belong but who must overcome a series of external and internal obstacles to reach that contentment.

Topics  Wandering  The sea  Interference by the gods  Home and family  Characteristics of the epic hero  Wandering  The sea  Interference by the gods  Home and family  Characteristics of the epic hero