Introduction to Epic Poetry The Odyssey Written by Homer Translated by Robert Fitzgerald

What is an Epic? Epic: and extended narrative poem recounting actions, travels, adventures, and heroic episodes and written in a high style (with ennobled diction, for example). It may have twelve or twenty-four books (The Odyssey has twenty-four books—think of them as chapters). A story in poetry form!

The main character, or protagonist, is heroically larger than life, often the source and subject of legend or national hero and carries four traits: strong and courageous, clever and cunning, powerful in society, human weakness. The deeds of the hero are presented without favoritism, revealing his failings as well as his virtues. The action, often the battle, reveals the more- than-human strength of the heroes as they engage in acts of heroism and courage. Characteristics of the Classical Epic

Characteristics Continued The episodes, even though they may be fictional, provide an explanation for some of the circumstances or events in the history of a nation or people. The gods and lesser divinities play an active role in the outcome of actions. All of the various adventures form an organic whole, where each event relates in some way to the central theme(s). The setting covers several nations, the whole world, or even the universe.

Typical Epic Organization Invocation to the muse or other deity and stating a theme (“Sing in me, Muse, [tell] the story of that man skilled in all ways of contending…”). Story begins in medias res (in the middle of things). Contains Epithets: brief, descriptive phrases that helped to characterize a particular person or thing, and had the right meter or number of syllables to fill out a line. Epic simile (a long or extended simile where the image becomes an object of art in its own right as well as serving to clarify the subject). Journey to the underworld. These are all apparent in The Odyssey

The Author: Homer Sometimes referred to as the “Father of Epic Poetry” Wrote The Iliad, which is the introduction to The Odyssey Was born around 850 B.C. and it was believed that Homer was blind and nomadic (travels from place to place; not having a permanent home).

More About Homer Homer’s works are unique for their time because they were recorded. Did not present his poetry in written form. Rather, he (and others) recited it and handed it down from memory. Pisistratus, an Athenian ruler, was afraid Homer’s works would be lost and demanded they be written down.

Before The Odyssey… The Trojan War How It Got Started, Why It Was Fought, and How Everything Turned Out All Right…for Almost Everybody

Eris Goddess of Strife and Discord It All Started With One Little Apple… But this wasn’t just any apple. This was a Golden Apple! Eris was not invited to a party and decides to disrupt the festivities by throwing in a Golden Apple labeled “For the Fairest,” causing rivalry that leads to the Judgment of Paris. Paris must now judge a beauty contest between three goddesses…

Athena Goddess of Wisdom Aphrodite Goddess of Love Hera Queen of the Gods and Goddess of Marriage The Three Beautiful Goddesses

The Contest Paris is promised many things… Aphrodite promises him the most beautiful woman in the world as his bride… …Hera promises him the kingship of Europe and Asia… …and Athena promises him wisdom and victory over the Greeks in war. Hmmm…

Paris Makes A Decision… Aphrodite tells him of a beautiful woman, wife of the mighty King of Sparta, who shall be his. Her name is Helen. King Menelaus leaves for Crete, trusting Paris in his home with his treasures…and his wife. While Menelaus is away, Paris kidnaps Helen and carries her away to the high- walled city of Troy.

…and the Trojan War Begins. A thousand ships set sail for the four- walled city of Troy, led by Menelaus. The war lasted ten years.

Who Will Fight This Battle? Who is going to help win this battle for the Trojans? Prince Hector The Walls of Troy Who is going to help win this battle for the Greeks? Menelaos (husband of Helen) Agamemnon (Menelaos’ brother) Mighty Achilles Cunning Odysseus

He was the commander of armies. He stole Achilles’ prize maiden, Bryseis, for which the god Apollo caused the Greek camp to be stricken with a plague. Brother of Menelaus, son of Atreus When Agamemnon got home from the Trojan War, he was murdered in cold blood by his wife’s suitor, Aegisthus. We’ll meet Agamemnon in the Odyssey, too. Agamemnon, Lord of Men Agamemnon Whoops I’m in charge!! GRRR

MIGHTY ACHILLES Achilles had no desire to fight someone else’s war either and pretended he was a woman. Achilles was tricked into revealing his true identity by Odysseus! He then decided he was glad to join the army. No men here… just us girls!

Achilles’ Mind Changed When… After reaching the shore of Troy, Achilles refuses to help fight in the war because Agamemnon had stolen his prize lady… …So he stayed in his tent a long time, and refused to fight even when Agamemnon brought her back. Achilles’ best friend, Patroclus, decides to wears Achilles’ armor in the battle, in which he falls to the Trojan Hero Hector. However, It Changed Again When… Hector begins to celebrate thinking he has killed Achilles. He soon discovers it was Patroclus.

Angry Achilles Achilles dons his new armor, confronts Hector, and kills him. After stripping the armor off, he ties Hector’s body to the back of his chariot and drags it around the walls of Troy. This did not please the gods. Achilles hears about the death of Patroclus and wants revenge! His mother has new armor made for him…

Achilles, concluded Apollo then caused an arrow, shot by Paris himself, to fly at the only vulnerable spot on Achilles’ body, the heel, and kill him. Odysseus was given the mighty armor in remembrance of the mighty Achilles.

Master of the House The most formidable of all of the Argive captains was Odysseus, Son of Laertes and King of Ithaca. Wise beyond comparison, Odysseus was a master of disguise, of craftiness, of cunning, and of guile—no one could outwit this man skilled in all ways of contending.

CUNNING ODYSSEUS Odysseus had a beautiful wife and a young son. He had no desire to go fight someone else’s war. He pretended to be insane by planting salt but Agamemnon saw through this ruse. A sane man could not kill his child and so he went to war with Athena’s guidance.

The Master’s Plan The Wooden Horse Troy fell overnight. Where the Greeks hid… Rolled it inside the walls of Troy… …rollin’ rollin’ rollin’ Dear Trojans, We hereby offer this wooden horse as a gift from the gods. Please accept our surrender. Love, The Greeks Shhhh… Celebrate