The Odyssey and Literary Archetypes November 9, 2015

About The Odyssey Recited by Homer Composed around 1200 B.C A blind Greek poet who went town to town chanting his poetry to the accompanying lyre Composed around 1200 B.C Over 20 different translations Sequel to The Iliad (focused on the Trojan War and Achilles) Focuses on Odysseus’ journey back home from The Trojan War Ulysses a novel by James Joyce was influenced by it O Brother Where Art Thou? Is loosely based on it About The Odyssey

Classical Features of The Odyssey Simplicity of language Swift movement of narrative Creation of characters with uncomplicated motives Actions that are true to human nature Plots that blend the joys of living with the tragic sense of life Long, musical lines (in the original Greek or in a poetry translation) Classical Features of The Odyssey

Important Terms Epic Folk epic Simile A narrative poem that tells in elevated style the achievements and brave deeds of heroic characters. Miraculous events and supernatural beings often play a part. Folk epic A narrative loosely based on heroic legends Simile Literary comparison using like or as Important Terms

Important Terms Continued Epithet An adjective or descriptive term that points out some trait of the person or thing being considered “Gray-eyed Athena; Odysseus, canniest of men.” Repetition Repeating words or phrases for emphasis or for retention in memory Important Terms Continued

Epic Devices Stating the theme Invoking the muse Beginning in Medias res Medias res- in the middle of things Supplying the exposition gradually Greek gods and goddesses as plot devices Fatal Flaw Hubris- excessive pride Epic Devices

Literary Archetypes Heroic Archetypes and Archetypal Journeys

Carl Jung first applied the term archetype to literature Recognized they were universal regardless of culture or historical period Hypothesized that it had something to do with collective unconsciousness shared by all humans Joseph Campbell took this idea and applied it to the world of mythology George Lucas used Campbell’s writings and Jung’s theory to write the Star Wars Saga About Archetypes

Archetypes can Apply to Be expressed in An image A theme A symbol An idea A character type A plot pattern Myths Dreams Literature Religions Fantasies Folklore Archetypes can

Heroic Archetypes Hero as warrior (Odysseus) A near god-like hero faces physical challenges and external enemies Hero as lover (Prince Charming) A pure love motivates hero to complete his quest Hero as Scapegoat (Jesus) Hero suffers for the sake of others Transcendent Hero (Oedipus, Hamlet, Macbeth) The hero of a tragedy whose fatal flaw brings about his downfall Heroic Archetypes

Romantic/Gothic Hero (Batman/ Billy from The Departed) Hero/lover with a decidedly dark side Proto-Feminist Hero (Mulan, GI Jane) Female heroes Apocalyptic Hero (Elijah, The Book of Eli) Hero who faces the possible destruction of society Anti-Hero (Homer Simpson) A non-hero, given the vocation of failure, frequently humorous Defiant Anti-hero (Walter White) Hero who opposes of society’s definition of heroism/goodness

Unbalanced Hero (Sam, I am Sam) Protagonist who has (or must pretend to have) mental or emotional deficiencies The Other/ denied hero (Avatar) The protagonist whose status or essential otherness makes heroism possible The Super heroic (Superman/ Hercules) Exaggerates the normal proportions of humanity, frequently has divine or supernatural origins.

Archetypal Journeys The quest for identity The epic journey to find the promised land Quest for vengeance The warrior’s journey to save his people The search for love The journey in search of knowledge The tragic quest; penance or self-denial The fool’s errand The quest to rid the land of danger The grail quest (human perfection) Archetypal Journeys

Classification Précis Write a précis that explains how a popular character, movie, song, book, etc. meets the criteria for one of the archetypes For an example (my example don’t use it) Naruto from Naruto and Naruto Shippuden as the Denied hero He is a social outcast in his village due to being the host of the nine-tailed demon fox He cannot past the exam to become a ninja He has no real talent He uses the power from the nine-tailed fox demon to protect his friends and village Classification Précis