2. Background to The Odyssey Sing to me of the man, Muse, the man of twists and turns driven time and again off course, once he had plundered the hallowed heights of Troy.

3. Respond What is a hero? What traits should a hero embody? Who are some of your heroes?

4. Homer A. Wrote epics {The Iliad and The Odyssey}. Lived 3000 years ago B. A blind man who became the greatest Greek epic storyteller C. Profession- traveling minstrel *Rhapsodes- “singer of tales” *Travelled community to community singing of myths about heroes, gods, and goddesses. D. Question of his existence

5. The Epic Poem An Epic Poem is a long narrative poem about important events in history. It contains the following characteristics. A. The hero is a well-known character of high social position. [Epic Hero]  Qualities represent those valuable to society.  Struggles to overcome human weaknesses. B. Supernatural forces play an important role in plot. C. The action involves many great deeds and is set in many locations. Setting can be real or fictitious. http://www.irasov.com/odyssey_map.htm for map and description of adventure http://www.irasov.com/odyssey_map.htm D. Style is formal and grand, but it is easy to follow.

6. Format Opening invocation of a muse- prayer to or calling of the goddess of poetry. Episodes- each a brief story on its own as hero moves from one challenge to another. Mood is serious

7. The Iliad- the story of the Trojan War Cause of the war in troy  Apple of discord To the Fairest Three Goddesses  Helen of Sparta

8. Figures of the War Agamemnon Achilles Patroclus Hector Odysseus

9. Winning the War The Wooden Horse  Creator  How it worked  Sinon The Odyssey- The Journey home

10. Names to know Alcinous: king of the Phaeacians Alcinous: king of the Phaeacians Odysseus: king of Ithaca Odysseus: king of Ithaca Calypso: sea goddess who loved Odysseus Calypso: sea goddess who loved Odysseus Circe: enchantress who helped Odysseus Circe: enchantress who helped Odysseus Zeus: king of the gods Zeus: king of the gods

11. Names continued Apollo: god of music, poetry, prophecy, and medicine Apollo: god of music, poetry, prophecy, and medicine Agamemnon: king and leader of the Greek forces Agamemnon: king and leader of the Greek forces Poseidon: god of sea, earthquakes, horses, and storms at sea Poseidon: god of sea, earthquakes, horses, and storms at sea Athena: goddess of wisdom, skills, and warfare Athena: goddess of wisdom, skills, and warfare Plyphemus: the Cyclops who imprisoned Odysseus Plyphemus: the Cyclops who imprisoned Odysseus Laertes: Odysseus’ father Laertes: Odysseus’ father

12. Names continued Scylla: sea monster of gray rock Scylla: sea monster of gray rock Charybdis: enormous and dangerous whirlpool Charybdis: enormous and dangerous whirlpool Lampetia: nymph Lampetia: nymph Hermes: herald and messenger of the gods Hermes: herald and messenger of the gods Eumaeus: old swineherd and friend of Odysseus Eumaeus: old swineherd and friend of Odysseus

13. Names continued Antinous: leader among the suitors Antinous: leader among the suitors Eurynome: housekeeper for Penelope Eurynome: housekeeper for Penelope Penelope: Odysseus’ wife Penelope: Odysseus’ wife Eurymachus: suitor Eurymachus: suitor Amphinomus: suitor Amphinomus: suitor