1. The Odyssey
NINTH GRADE ENGLISH

2. The Illiad First epic Tells the story of the Trojan War
Helen of Sparta left her husband, Menelaus for Paris, Prince of Troy
Causes the war
About the ten year war between the Trojans and the Spartans
Odysseus thinks of Wooden Horse Trick to end the war

3. The Odyssey Follows Odysseus on his way home after the war
Lasts for ten years
Audience knows the stories

4. The Odyssey Written by Homer Is an epic
A long narrative poem that tells the adventures of a hero from a given civilization

5. The Odyssey
Myths---stories that use fantasy to express abstract ideas about life
Alter ego---spiritual or psychological reflection of a hero’s best qualities
Rhapsodes---singers of tales
Homeric or Heroic Similes---compares heroic or epic events to simple and easily understood everyday events

6. Characteristics of an Epic
Physically impressive hero of importance
Vast setting including most of the physical world and maybe the land of the dead
Action by the hero taken as a journey in search of something of value
Evidence of the supernatural
Glorification of the hero at the end
Rooted in a specific culture