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Homer
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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)
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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)
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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
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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.
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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.
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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
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Odysseus’ journey
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