1. Greek Mythology

2. Titans: Race of powerful deities that ruled the world before Olympian gods 12 (6 male, 6 female) Associated with primal concepts: ocean, wind, earth, etc. Overthrown by younger generation (Olympian gods, lead by Zeus) Imprisoned in the underworld Titans and Giants from Dante’s Divine Comedy

3. Olympian Gods 12 Olympians: Zeus, Hera, Poseidon, Demeter, Ares, Hermes, Hephaestus, Aphrodite, Athena, Apollo, Artemis, Hestia.ZeusHeraPoseidon DemeterAresHermesHephaestus AphroditeAthenaApolloArtemisHestia Family tree of the gods and other deities: http://ludios.org/greekgods/ http://ludios.org/greekgods/

4. Polyphemus One of the Cyclopes Member of primordial race of giants Son of Poseidon and Thoosa Cannibal Lives in a cave Famous incident with Odysseus

5. Calypso and Circe Calypso is a beautiful goddess who imprisoned Odysseus for 7 years on Ogygia Circe used magic to keep Odysseus on her island Aeaea Sometimes described as a queen, goddess, witch or nymph Daughter of Helios (the Titan said to represent the sun) Calyspo, painted by Bocklin, 1882

6. The Muses Most versions of The Odyssey begin with an invocation, or a call to the muses for inspiration An invocation indicates that the author or storyteller is working inside the traditional guidelines for epic poetry Muses: 9 spirits or goddesses who embody the arts Calliope: chief muse, inspired epic poetry

7. The Invocation "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." (Robert Fagles translation, 1996)Robert Fagles

8. Quiz: What role have you noticed the gods/goddesses playing in The Odyssey so far? How does this surprise you? List two gods or goddesses and the symbols associated with each What is one difference between Calypso and Circe? Who is Polyphemus? Rewrite the invocation in your own words.