1. An Epic Poem written by Homer
THE ODYSSEY
An Epic Poem written by Homer

2. Origins One of the most famous epic poems ever written
Written between B.C.
Describes legendary events that can be traced back to real battles

3. Epic: A definition
A long, narrative poem that tells of the adventures of heroes who represent values of their civilizations.
Usually passed down orally

4. Characteristics of an epic:
Physically impressive hero of historic importance
Setting involving known world and underworld
Actions such as a quest or journey
Evidence of supernatural forces

5. Conventional formula for an epic:
Poet states the theme, invokes a Muse, begins in medias res
Poet lists warriors, ships, armies, etc.
Extended formal speeches by main characters

6. In Medias Res The Odyssey begins “in the middle of things”
In the middle of Telemachus‘s life
He is 20 and powerful men are threatening to take his inheritance and mother.
In the middle of Odysseus’s life:
He is stuck on an island having a “mid-life crisis”

7. What is an odyssey?
An odyssey is a long series of adventures, especially when filled with memorable experiences, hardships, etc.

8. Conventions of an odyssey:
Personal journey transformed into a cultural journey
Call to adventure
Supernatural forces that help or cause problems to hero
A series of tasks or trials
A victorious or defeated hero
A homecoming

9. Modern Day Odysseys The Incredible Journey The Hobbit Forrest Gump
The Lion King
The Wizard of Oz
Star Wars

10. The War-Story Background
Homer’s audience knew the stories of the Trojan War and the important role Odysseus played in it.

11. The War-Story Background, cont.
Eris’s Golden Apple “for the fairest”
Prince Paris of Troy was forced to decide which goddess should be named the “fairest”: Hera, Aphrodite, or Athena.

12. Gifts Offered Hera offered power Athena offered victory in battle
Aphrodite offered the most beautiful mortal woman

13. Helen of Troy Paris liked women, so he chose Aphrodite’s offer
Unfortunately, Helen was already married to Menelaus
Paris kidnapped Helen and stole treasure
This action was a major insult to xenia—Greek hospitality
Because Helen was so beautiful, there had been much competition to be her husband. It was agreed by all the potential suitors that when she did choose, they would protect her marriage. Many Greek heroes and leaders banded together to fight the Trojans because of this pledge. 13

14. The Trojan War Greeks sailed across the sea in 1,000 ships
Important Greeks: Achilles, Agamemnon, Odysseus, Hera, and Athena
Important Trojans: Hektor, Paris, Priam, Aphrodite
The Iliad focuses on the two best fighters – Hector and Achilles. Gods are important in stories. They have form and human behavior; they fall in and out of love, are jealous, cruel, angry, and manipulative 14

15. Achilles Achilles: fiercest warrior of the Greek army
defeated Prince Hektor, the best warrior on the Trojan side
was killed toward the end of the war when Paris, guided by Apollo, shot an arrow into his heel—his one and only weakness

16. Agamemnon Agamemnon was he brother of Menelaus
He was a great hero in the war and leader of the army

17. Heroes Heroes are thought to be between gods and humans
Heroes are usually sure of themselves and feel “on top of the world”
Heroes were aristocrats. We relate to Odysseus because he has to cope with unfair authority figures and work to get what we want. People at home (island of Ithaca) feel that he was a great hero once, so they say, but times have changed. They have more important things to worry about than his war record. 17

18. What Odysseus left behind…
His beautiful, faithful, and strong wife, Penelope
Telemachus, his son, a toddler
When Agamemnon and Menelaus came to get Odysseus, he pretended to be insane. He dressed as a peasant and began plowing the field with salt. They threw Telemachus in front of the plow. Odysseus revealed his sanity when he quickly turned the plow aside to avoid running over his son. 18

19. Odysseus and the Trojan Horse
10 years at war
Wooden horse with Greeks hidden inside
Trojans thought it was a peace offering and brought it into the city walls
Greeks jumped out and won the war