1. The Odyssey
Pre-reading Notes

2. Epic
A long, narrative poem that deals with the trials and achievements of a great hero/heroes
What is an odyssey?
Answer: a voyage or journey
The Odyssey is an epic poem about the journey of Odysseus. He leaves his home to fight in the Trojan War and is gone for 20 years.
It is considered a poem because it is written in meter and stanzas

3. Epic Hero
A person who seems to be able to conquer most problems he encounters although he does not have any “super powers”
The epic hero is not without flaws. In fact, his flaws sometimes get him into trouble
Odysseus is considered an epic hero in The Odyssey

4. Homer The poet of The Odyssey Personal info:
he composed 2 epics, which were originally passed down orally
birthplace is unknown but he is likely from the Western part of Asia Minor.
Some people believe he was blind because of his positive portrayal of blind character in his epics.

5. Homer’s epics The Iliad The Odyssey
The first “great work” of Western literature
Named for its setting Ilium (Troy)
Composed between 900 and 700 B.C. E.
Recounts the final weeks of the Trojan War
The Odyssey
The second “great work” of Western literature
Named for its hero, Odysseus
Tells the story of Odysseus’s 10-year trip home from the Trojan War

6. The Trojan War What Homer’s epics were based on
Occurred around 1200 B.C.E.; lasted about 10 years
Probable cause: economic. Troy’s location, in modern-day Turkey, enabled it to control all trade and shipping, limiting trade for Sparta and Ithaca (in Greece)
Legendary cause: Helen, King Menelaus of Sparta’s wife, was kidnapped by Paris, a young Trojan Prince. King Menelaus built an army to bring Helen back; Achilles and Odysseus joined.
Crash Course (watch until 3:33)

7. Greek Gods and Goddesses
Divine intervention: when Gods/Goddesses intervene in human affairs to protect or punish mortals
Homer gives them many human characteristics
They quarrel, love, get jealous of one another
Pervasive theme in epics is that respecting the Gods is essential to survival.
Be on the lookout for what happens to characters when they do/do not respect the Gods

8. The Odyssey Major Characters: Odysseus: King of Ithaca
Crucial to the fall of Troy in the last days of the Trojan War
The shrewdest of all Greeks; conceived a plan to hide in a huge wooden horse to sneak into the gates of Troy.
Angered the Gods who were sympathetic towards Troy.
Gods vowed to make his voyage home long and difficult.
Ends up having a 10-year voyage home from the war

9. The Odyssey Major Characters: Penelope: Odysseus’ wife
Known for her loyalty
Telemachus: Odysseus and Penelope’s son
Athena: Goddess of Wisdom
Helps Odysseus on his journey home and once he arrives back at Ithaca
Poseidon: God of the Sea. Very mad at Odysseus
Zeus: Father of Gods.

10. The Odyssey
Plot #1: The tale of Odysseus’ wanderings at sea, his obstacles and distractions
Plot #2: The story of what happens in Ithaca while Odysseus was away; Penelope and Telemachus try to hold down the fort and Telemachus’ coming of age story as he grows into a man
Plot #3: The return of Odysseus to Ithaca; he joins forces with his son to defeat their enemies

11. The Odyssey Some ways to interpret the story:
1. An exciting adventure story: emphasis on the characters and plot
2. The story of every human being: we all overcome obstacles and temptations in our journey through life in an effort to find peace

12. Cattle of the Sun God (Helios)
The Odyssey
Adventures:
Land of Cicones
Lotus Eaters
The Cyclops
Circe
Land of the Dead
The Sirens
Scylla & Charybdis
Cattle of the Sun God (Helios)
Calypso

13. Literary terms
Simile: a comparison of two unlike things/concepts using the words “like” or “as”
Epic simile: an extended simile, elaborated in great detail
Epithet: a term or phrase used to characterize the nature of a character, object, or event
Odysseus, son of Laertes
Sparkling-eyed Athena