1. An Introduction to Homer’s The Odyssey
Mythology
An Introduction to
Homer’s
The Odyssey

2. Mythology Mythology is the study of ancient myths.
A myth’s purpose is an attempt to explain something in nature.
Myths were created for two main reasons:
How anything and everything in the universe came into existence.
EX: men, animals, trees, flowers, stars
2. Why certain things occured
EX: earthquakes, volcano eruptions, storms, floods (Thunder and lightening = zeus hurled his lightning bolt in anger

3. Homer’s Background Lived from 850 to 800 B.C.
Homer's life is considered a bit of a mystery
No one is even sure of his birthplace and age
He was a wandering poet and minstrel
Most historians agree he was blind
He was the first to:
Combine isolated tales about various heroic exploits into a single, coherent whole, creating THE EPIC

4. Homer’s Contributions
Prior to the invention of the written language, the legends, myths, or epics were handed down by “rhapsodes” who were verbal storytellers.
Two Epic Poems
The Iliad
The Odyssey

5. Rhapsodes’ recited homer’s Epics
Every four years
In Athens
At the Festival of Athene

6. These Epics became…
The basis of Greek Education

7. Definition of Epic:
An extended narrative poem recounting actions, travels, adventures, and heroic episodes
handed down through the generations telling a people’s history, reflecting their culture, and teaching religion, morals, and ethics to the young

8. Epic Characteristics
The main character (protagonist) is the source and subject of legend or a national hero
Setting covers several nations, the whole world, or even the universe
Deeds of hero presented without favoritism, revealing failings and virtues on his journey
Actions of heroism and courage sometimes reveal superhuman powers
The Gods play an active role in the outcomes of actions

9. Epic Characteristics
Episodes, even though they may be fictional, provide an explanation for some of the circumstances or events in the history of a nation or people
All of the various adventures are essential; each event relates in some way to the central theme

10. Conventions Poem begins with a statement of the theme
Invocation (prayer) to muse or other deity
Story begins in medias res (in the middle of things) with the hero at a low point and previous episodes are later recounted
Histories and descriptions of significant items (who made a sword or shield, how it was decorated, who owned it from generation to generation)

11. Conventions
Use of patronymics (calling son by father's name): “Laertes' son” would be Odysseus
Frequent use of epithets or phrases to rename or describe characters
"Lord of the Clouds" would be Zeus

12. Homeric Similes Also known as Epic Similes
The Homeric simile compares something everyone would have been familiar with to help create an image of something fantastic that no one would have been able to see.
Often used to help develop characters and theme

13. Homeric Similes
A. COMPARE - something familiar to the common man (lions, storms, deer, rivers) or everyday activities (fishing, herding) WITH something fantastical or abstract (slaying of a dragon, hope, peace)
B. Example: "Just as an angler poised on a jutting rock
flings his treacherous bait in the offshore swell,
whips his long rod—hook sheathed in an oxhorn lure—
and whisks up little fish he flips on the beach-break,
writhing, gasping out their lives so now they
writhed, gasping as Scylla swung them up her cliff and there at her cavern’s mouth she bolted them down raw— screaming out, flinging their arms down toward me, lost in that mortal struggle . . .

14. Epic Terms
anthropomorphism- a literary device that gives human form/attributes to a non-human being, such as a god or spirit
archetype- a recurring image, character, story, symbol, situation, or pattern in human thought and expression and part of the collective unconscious
arête- excellence as a virtue; striving to achieve one’s highest human potential
deity- a supernatural, Supreme Being, god, or goddess

15. Epic Terms
deus ex machina- Some Greek playwrights like Euripides used to end the play by having a god lowered onto the stage by ropes and mechanical apparatus. Then he would make his commands and judgments and solve the problems for the humans--like Zeus at the end of the book. The phrase is now used for any forced or improbable device an author uses to resolve his plot.
hubris- excessive pride.
in medias res- a Latin term literally meaning “in the midst of things”; a technique used in most epics when a story begins in the middle of the action
Invocation of the Muse- a technique used in most epics in which the poet pleads with one of the muses (nine goddesses of the creative arts) to help him compose or tell his story
xenia- the ancient Greeks’ belief in the importance of treating guests with kindness, generosity, respect, sometimes offering luxurious gifts

16. Epic Hero A larger than life hero from history or legend
Is a main character who represents his people and nation
Usually favored by or descended from deities
Characterized as noble, virtuous, larger than life, and good looking
Participates in a cyclical journey or quest

17. Epic Hero Cycle
The hero is charged with a quest or a call to adventure
The hero is tested, to prove his worthiness of himself and his quest
Presences of mythical beings, magical and helpful animals, and human helpers and companions

18. Epic Hero Cycle
The hero’s travels take him to a supernatural world, often one where human beings are barred like the underworld
The cycle reaches a low point and the hero nearly gives up his quest or appears defeated or dead
A resurrection occurs; helps comes to him in this dire hour of need
Restitution--the hero often regains his place on the throne

19. Modern Epics & Their Heros
Star Wars
Luke Skywalker
Lord of the Rings
Frodo Baggins
Harry Potter
Brave heart
William Wallace
The Lion King
Simba