The Odyssey by Homer A riveting tale of a hero’s triumph over supernatural creatures, nature and, ultimately, fate… CE Recognize a variety of literary genres and forms (e.g., poetry, drama, novels, short stories, autobiographies, biographies, multi-genre texts, satire, parody, allegory) and demonstrate an understanding of the way in which genre and form influence meaning. This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported License. To view a copy of this license, visit or send a letter to Creative Commons, 444 Castro Street, Suite 900, Mountain View, California, 94041, USA.

A timeless story of one man’s longing to reclaim his home and his family after a long absence…

Odysseus embraces his son Telemachus and his wife Penelope after his 20-year absence.

A masterpiece of world literature studied, pondered, and enjoyed by generations of scholars for centuries…

Characteristics and Conventions of Homer’s The Odyssey

FOLK EPIC: An oral, narrative poem An oral, narrative poem originally recited before audiences by rhapsodes. originally recited before audiences by rhapsodes. –1. One who uses extravagantly enthusiastic or impassioned language. –2. One who recited epic and other poetry, especially professionally, in ancient Greece.

CHARACTERISTICS OF A FOLK EPIC The hero has great historical or legendary significance.

The events take place in a vast setting – often both time and place.

3.The plot involves supernatural and valorous or heroic feats.

4. Supernatural forces such as angels, gods, or demons play a role.

Characteristics continued... Poetic, yet simple and direct style Epic poet objectively describes hero’s deeds “Poseidon has struck their well-rigged ship on the open sea with gale winds and crushing walls of waves, and only a few escape, swimming, struggling out of the frothing surf to reach the shore, their bodies crusted with salt but buoyed up with joy as they plant their feet on solid ground again, spared a deadly fate. So joyous now to her the sight of her husband, vivid in her gaze, that her white arms, embracing his neck would never for a moment let him go…” “Poseidon has struck their well-rigged ship on the open sea with gale winds and crushing walls of waves, and only a few escape, swimming, struggling out of the frothing surf to reach the shore, their bodies crusted with salt but buoyed up with joy as they plant their feet on solid ground again, spared a deadly fate. So joyous now to her the sight of her husband, vivid in her gaze, that her white arms, embracing his neck would never for a moment let him go…” (Book 23, Lines ) (Book 23, Lines )

FEATURES OF HOMER’S POETIC STYLE Invocation a short, introductory poem in which the poet asks a muse (goddess of inspiration) for guidance and states theme.

Additional features of Homer’s style Epithet an adjective or descriptive phrase used to characterize a person or thing (Odysseus, “wiliest of fighters,” “raider of cities”) Homeric simile- extended comparison of two actions or objects to develop suspense or excitement

“in medias res” - “in the middle of things” The story begins in the middle of the action. The story begins in the middle of the action. Repetition- repeating words or phrases for emphasis, memory retention “When dawn spread out fingertips of rose…”