1. The Odyssey By Homer

2. Homer True identity not know but it is believed that he lived in ancient Greece True identity not know but it is believed that he lived in ancient Greece Blind poet Blind poet Gathered stories about great wars, combined them together to make one epic story Gathered stories about great wars, combined them together to make one epic story – The Iliad & The Odyssey Stories were told orally Stories were told orally – Causes repetition

3. Epic Long narrative poem that tells the adventures of heroes who embody the values of a civilization Long narrative poem that tells the adventures of heroes who embody the values of a civilization supernatural powers interacting with hero supernatural powers interacting with hero Covers a vast area and time Covers a vast area and time The Iliad-primary model for the epic of war The Iliad-primary model for the epic of war The Odyssey-primary model for the epic long journey The Odyssey-primary model for the epic long journey

4. The Iliad 1 st epic poem that sets up the background for the Odyssey 1 st epic poem that sets up the background for the Odyssey Set during the 10 th /final year of the Trojan War Set during the 10 th /final year of the Trojan War

5. The Trojan War Greeks attacked Troy to avenge the insult suffered by Menelaus (King of Sparta) because his wife, Helen, ran off with Paris (prince of Troy) Greeks attacked Troy to avenge the insult suffered by Menelaus (King of Sparta) because his wife, Helen, ran off with Paris (prince of Troy) Greeks banned together under Agamemnon (Menelaus’ brother) & crossed the Aegean Sea Greeks banned together under Agamemnon (Menelaus’ brother) & crossed the Aegean Sea In an offer of peace, the Greeks gave the Trojans a gift of a large, wooden Trojan horse In an offer of peace, the Greeks gave the Trojans a gift of a large, wooden Trojan horse – The Greeks were secretly hiding in the horse, and once inside the walls of the city they attacked the unprepared Trojans – The city was destroyed and the war was over-Greeks win!

6. Odysseus-The Epic Hero King of Ithaca-fought for the Greeks in the Trojan War King of Ithaca-fought for the Greeks in the Trojan War Not the typical hero-he is not part god, feels lost in the world, has to work hard to get what he wants, has to cope with unfair authority figures Not the typical hero-he is not part god, feels lost in the world, has to work hard to get what he wants, has to cope with unfair authority figures – He is more like an ordinary,man He is a great but is not highly respected He is a great but is not highly respected Married to Penelope; has one son Telemachus Married to Penelope; has one son Telemachus

7. The Odyssey The story of Odysseus’ journey home to Ithaca after the Trojan War The story of Odysseus’ journey home to Ithaca after the Trojan War Poseidon, the sea god, is working against Odysseus Poseidon, the sea god, is working against Odysseus – Throws Odysseus off course and causes him and his crew to encounter many obstacles In Ithaca-suitors are trying to seduce Penelope and take over the thrown from Odysseus In Ithaca-suitors are trying to seduce Penelope and take over the thrown from Odysseus – Penelope believes her husband will return. Telemachus, irritated by suitors and eager for his father’s return, goes in search of his father by the urging of Athena

8. Characters-Odysseus Encounters Alcinous-King of Phaeacia (Odysseus tells him of his adventures) Alcinous-King of Phaeacia (Odysseus tells him of his adventures) Calypso-goddess who keeps Odysseus on her island for 7 years Calypso-goddess who keeps Odysseus on her island for 7 years Charybdis-female monster who sucks in water 3 times a day to form a deadly whirlpool Charybdis-female monster who sucks in water 3 times a day to form a deadly whirlpool Cicones-people living on southwest coast of Thrace (battle Odysseus and his men) Cicones-people living on southwest coast of Thrace (battle Odysseus and his men) Circe-witch goddess who turns Odysseus’ men into swine Circe-witch goddess who turns Odysseus’ men into swine Cyclops/Polyphemus-son of Poseidon, blinded by Odysseus, giant that lives as a shepherd Cyclops/Polyphemus-son of Poseidon, blinded by Odysseus, giant that lives as a shepherd Eurylochus-one of Odysseus’ loyal crew Eurylochus-one of Odysseus’ loyal crew Lotus Eaters-people who feed Odysseus’ men with lotus plants that make them forget Ithaca Lotus Eaters-people who feed Odysseus’ men with lotus plants that make them forget Ithaca Scylla-female monster with 6 serpent heads Scylla-female monster with 6 serpent heads Sirens-sea nymphs whose beautiful & mysterious music lures sailors to steer ships toward rocks Sirens-sea nymphs whose beautiful & mysterious music lures sailors to steer ships toward rocks Teiresias-famous blind prophet from Thebes. Odysseus meets him in the Land of the dead Teiresias-famous blind prophet from Thebes. Odysseus meets him in the Land of the dead

9. Places Aeaea-home of Circe Aeaea-home of Circe Erebus-dark area of the underworld where the dead reside Erebus-dark area of the underworld where the dead reside Ithaca-home of Odysseus Ithaca-home of Odysseus Phaeacia-island kingdom of ruled by Alcinous Phaeacia-island kingdom of ruled by Alcinous Thrinakia-island where the sun god Helios keeps his cattle Thrinakia-island where the sun god Helios keeps his cattle

10. People in Ithaca Antinous-one of Penelope’s leading suitors; an arrogant and mean young noble Antinous-one of Penelope’s leading suitors; an arrogant and mean young noble Eumaeus-swineherd, one of Odysseus’ loyal servants Eumaeus-swineherd, one of Odysseus’ loyal servants Eurycleia-Odysseus’ old nurse Eurycleia-Odysseus’ old nurse Eurymachus- one of Penelope’s suitors Eurymachus- one of Penelope’s suitors Eurynome-Penelope’s housekeeper Eurynome-Penelope’s housekeeper Penelope-Odysseus’ faithful wife Penelope-Odysseus’ faithful wife Philoetues-cowherd, one of Odysseus’ loyal servants Philoetues-cowherd, one of Odysseus’ loyal servants Telemachus-Odysseus’ son Telemachus-Odysseus’ son

11. The Gods Apollo-god of poetry, music, prophecy, medicine, and archery Apollo-god of poetry, music, prophecy, medicine, and archery Athena-favorite daughter of Zeus, goddess of wisdom, and arts of war and peace. Also called Pallas Athena Athena-favorite daughter of Zeus, goddess of wisdom, and arts of war and peace. Also called Pallas Athena Cronus-Titan (giant god) who ruled the universe until his son Zeus overthrew him Cronus-Titan (giant god) who ruled the universe until his son Zeus overthrew him Helios-sun god Helios-sun god Hephaestus-god of metalworking Hephaestus-god of metalworking Hermes-messenger god Hermes-messenger god Poseidon-god of the sea, brother of Zeus, enemy of Odysseus Poseidon-god of the sea, brother of Zeus, enemy of Odysseus Zeus-the most powerful god, home is Olympus Zeus-the most powerful god, home is Olympus

12. Structure of the story Divided into “books” not chapters Divided into “books” not chapters NOT told in chronological order NOT told in chronological order Books 1-4 Books 1-4 – Tell about Odysseus’ son Telemachus. Telemachus has been searching for his father who has never returned home from the ten-year Trojan War. In today’s times Odysseuss would be considered MIA In today’s times Odysseuss would be considered MIA Books 5-12 Books 5-12 – The reader finally meets Odysseus on Calypso’s island – Odysseus leaves the island and lands on Pheacians, where he tells his story. – This is a flashback! Books 13-22 Books 13-22 – Odysseus finally returns to Ithaca where he must regain his kingdom – This is in “real time”