1. Homer

2. Characteristics of the Epic  A long, narrative poem about a hero  Contains many books and episodes, all related to the adventures of the hero  Action is usually significant to the history of the people it is about  Usually involves battles and long journeys  The setting is vast and wide  Often includes gods and goddesses (also called deities)

3. More Characteristics of the Epic  Incorporates the characteristics of the myth, legend, and fable  Usually reflects the values of the culture and society about which it is written (Ex. Code of Hospitality)  Begins with an invocation (prayer) to the muse (9 daughters of Zeus who inspired the arts)  Begins in medias res (in the middle of things)

4. The Last Two Characteristics of the Epic  Makes use of the Homeric simile – compares something the audience might not understand to something so simple we still get it today Ex. [he] held the men like two squirming puppies  Makes use of the stock epithet - a descriptive adjective or phrase that is often used with or in place of a name Athena – the grey-eyed one Helen – the face that launched 1000 ships Odysseus – the wanderer Odysseus – son of Laertes

5. Create your own epithet!  Create your own epithet on a piece of paper.  Write your name and create three epithets for yourself according to the following criteria A physical trait A personality trait Lineage ○ Illustrate each of the epithets in a way that symbolizes the phrase within the epithet.

6. Characteristics of the Epic Hero  Figure of national / international importance  Displays superhuman strength from time to time  Typically intellectually gifted, clever, well-spoken, etc.  Displays areta: courage, dignity, nobility of deed – willing to sacrifice one for the good of many  May display hubris – excessive pride

7. Homer’s gods and goddesses  Actively intervene and show favoritism  Participate in celestial plotting  Transmogrify – to change or alter greatly  Anthropomorphic – taking human form Ungodlike weaknesses Swayed by their passions Continuously bicker  Immortal

8. Themes in The Odyssey  Search for identity Telemachus’ quest for manhood  The establishment of order Odysseus’ need to regain family and homeland as well as eliminate disharmony and re-establish order in his kingdom  Quest for revenge Odysseus and Telemachus

9. Background Info  Modern scholars believe the Iliad and the Odyssey are based on oral legends, but the epics are often attributed to a storyteller named Homer.  Homer likely composed The Iliad around 750 BC and The Odyssey around 720 BC

10. Background  The Iliad is the story of the Trojan War which might actually have taken place around 1250 B.C.  This poem is a tale of myth and magic, not history.  The war was likely fought for control of a waterways and not for the lost love of a beautiful woman.  The Iliad is Part I of the story, and The Odyssey is Part II.

11. More Background  According to the myth, the war started this way: Paris was a prince in the city of Troy.  Three goddesses asked him to judge who among them was the most beautiful.  Aphrodite, the goddess of love, offered Paris a reward if he chose her.  She said he could have Helen, the most beautiful woman in the world.  However, Helen was married to Menelaus, the King of Sparta, a city in Greece.  When Paris visited Sparta, Aphrodite made Helen fall in love with him.  Helen ran away with Paris.  Menelaus and his brother, Agamemnon, led a Greek army against Troy to bring her back.  The war that followed is called the Trojan War after the name Troy

12. Background, continued  The Iliad takes place during the last months of the Trojan War.  Its hero is Achilles, a mighty Greek warrior.  The Iliad ends with the funeral of Hector, a Trojan hero who is killed by Achilles.  The story tells of many heroes on both sides.  One of the Greek heroes is named Odysseus.

13. Odysseus  The Odyssey is named for Odysseus.  Odysseus is the King of Ithaca, and island off the coast of Greece.  According to the myth, Odysseus did not want to fight at Troy.  He did not want to leave his wife, Penelope, and his baby son, Telemachus.

14. Odysseus, continued  Odysseus had to be tricked into joining the Greek army.  Once he was involved in the fighting, however, he proved to be brave and clever.  In fact, Odysseus thought of the trick that finally won the war for the Greeks.  The Odyssey is mostly about Odysseus’ adventures after the Trojan War.  In one adventure he makes an enemy of Poseidon, the Sea God.  Poseidon punishes him by making him wander the seas, never allowing him to reach home.

15. Odysseus’ journey