1. The Odyssey “Written” by Homer (a blind poet) around 700 BC
Passed down through generations
Based on Greek mythology

2. What is an Epic? Has an original plot structure
Characters are realistic but heroic and have flaws like regular men
Includes fabulous monsters
Epics are long but exciting

3. Homer’s Epics 1. Include The Iliad and The Odyssey 2. Tell a story
3. Express values of the Greek society

4. Before The Odyssey…
There was The Iliad

5. The story of The Iliad The Trojan War Probable cause was economics $$$
Troy controlled all trade and shipping (everything was surrounded by water)
Greeks couldn’t expand trade
Declared war on Troy

6. The story of The Iliad
Legendary cause of the Trojan War?

7. A Woman
Helen of Troy: The face that launched a thousand ships

8. She was married to a Greek king

9. But was in love with a Trojan Prince
Helen of Troy

10. The Trojan War
Lasted 10 years
Until…

11. The Trojan Horse
Odysseus (our hero) had an idea to trick the Trojans into letting down their guard
Troy

12. Film clip from Troy

13. The Odyssey Picks up where The Iliad left off
Odysseus has angered the gods by making a false sacrifice
The gods don’t like proud men who don’t give them credit
They punish Odysseus by making his journey home last 10 years

14. Three Plot Strands in the Odyssey
1. Odysseus’ journey home to Ithaca after the Trojan War (20 years total)
2. What happens in Ithaca while Odysseus is away—his wife Penelope and his son Telemachus have been waiting for him
3. O’s return to Ithaca—his fight to keep his family and land

15. Creatures of The Odyssey
The Cyclops

16. The Sirens

17. Scylla

18. Charybdis