1. December 4 – 13, 2013 Unit Test: December 13, 2013
The Odyssey
December 4 – 13, 2013
Unit Test: December 13, 2013

2. I. Goals A. learn to follow activities of several characters at
the same time
B. Become comfortable with alien names and
settings
C. Relate to characters that seem to have little in
common with modern ideas
D. Put aside immediate need for answers to enjoy
the adventure

3. II. Background A. Homer 1. Greek minstrel – traveling story teller
2. blind
3. lived around 1000 B.C.E
4. considered by Greeks to be their
greatest poet

4. II. Background contd B. Sequel to Homer’s The Illiad –
Odysseys being recruited, leaving
home (Ithaca) to fight in Trojan Wars
Trojan War was fought over beautiful
Helen of Troy
Odysseus won the war by building the Trojan Horse

5. III. Epic - characteristics
A. long narrative poem
B. cannot be told in one sitting
C. complex story with several main
characters
D. story spans many years (more
than 10)

6. III. Epic - contd E. Journey or adventure story F. Has an epic hero
G. Contains characters with
superhuman powers/abilities
H. stories beyond belief

7. IV. Epic Hero problems B. Unending faith in family, county, god
A. Not superhuman but conquers most
problems
B. Unending faith in family, county, god
C. Brave, although often has fears he must overcome
D. Purpose is to defeat evil so that all good will prevail

8. F. Often guided, but not aided, by a higher force that has some
E. Intelligent – relies on brains to get
him out of trouble
F. Often guided, but not aided, by a
higher force that has some
supernatural abilities
G. has to overcome obstacles to achieve
success