The Odyssey By Homer

Homer Biography Greek Blind Bard (Poet) Sang or recited orally Around 600 – 700 B.C.E

Epic A long poem, narrative in form that surrounds the fictional account of a hero on an incredible adventure. Originally sung Poet often played a Lyre Tells the tales of history, culture, religion Gave a peek at those things that terrified the people (monsters, death, storms, etc.)

Epic Characteristics Supernatural forces are perpetually at work throughout the epic. The story opens in media res, invokes a Muse ( a goddess who inspires creativity), and uses heavy repetition. Begins with a statement of the theme. Often features the tragic hero's descent into the Underworld or hell.

Epic Plot Vast geographical distances, including many oceans, nations, and worlds. Primary epics seem generated by periods of upheaval, of struggle and adventure Epic Setting Features heroes that embody the values of the civilization. Epic Theme

Cross out everything except Archetypes In literature, an archetype is a typical character, an action or a situation that seems to represent such universal patterns of human nature.

Other Terms to Know … An extended simile (remember what similes use ) that often covers multiple lines in an epic poem. Epic Simile Allusion Epithet A term used to characterize a person or thing, such as rosy- fingered in rosy-fingered dawn or the Great in Catherine the Great. A brief, usually indirect reference to a person, place, or event.

Let’s talk about more examples makes a comparison to some kind of event, in the form "like a ____ when it ______." The object of the comparison is usually something strange or unfamiliar to something ordinary and familiar Epic Simile Allusion Epithet Alexander the Great. Master of the war-cry, glorious, excellent, fair-haired, warrior, red-haired, and son of Atreus for Menelaus. Biblical allusions PLL ( To Kill a Mockingbird, The Bad Seed, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, Great Expectations, 1984, Lolita, Harry Potter, Lord of the Flies, Brave New World, Something Wicked This Way Comes, Macbeth, The Bell Jar, The Lottery, and Grapes of Wrath.)