1. The Odyssey
Homer

2. What is an Epic A long, narrative poem about a legendary hero
Epic heroes have superhuman qualities that enable them to perform extraordinary acts
Examples:
Beowulf
Daedalus
Heracules

3. Homer Homer was a poet who lived around 1200 BC
He was thought to have been blind, but describes events as though he saw them in person
Wrote the Iliad and the Odyssey
These are stories about the war between the Trojans and the Greeks which happened between 900 and 700 BC

4. The Odyssey
The Odyssey is the story of the journey of Ulysses and his men trying to get home after the Trojan War
The Odyssey spans a time period of 10 years
The Odyssey is an epic about humans on the journey of life and overcoming temptations along the way

5. Character Overview Odysseus Family of Odysseus
Fought in the Trojan War
Sacked the island of Ismarus
Blown to the land of Lotus-eaters
Visited the Land of the Cyclops
Visited Hades to speak to the ghosts of the dead
Family of Odysseus
Laertes-Father
Penelope-wife
Telemachus-Son

6. Character Overview Monsters
Circe-A goddess and enchantress who turned men into swine
Scylla-A monster with 12 feet and 6 heads with 3 rows of teeth.
Sirens-Beauties who seduce men with their singing
Polyphemus-A giant Cyclops who is blinded by Odysseus
Charybdis-A whirlpool that sinks ships

7. Character Overview Gods and Goddesses
Zeus-King of the gods, and ruler of the sky
Poseidon-King of the sea; brother of Zeus
Hades-Ruler of the house of the dead (Hell)
Athena-Daughter of Zeus; goddess of intelligence, art and war
Hermes-Messenger of the gods

8. Character Overview Lesser Gods
Calypso-An island nymph on Ogygian who holds Odysseus prisoner
Circe-Daughter of the sun; goddess of the wild
Aeolus-Keeper of the winds