3. A long time ago in a place far, far away… There was a man named Homer…

4. …and his epic called the Odyssey

5. An Introduction to Homer’s Odyssey

6. Homer: Ancient Man of Mystery

7. History is vague on Homer’s identity; some say he is just a legend The epics were not originally written-- the Greek alphabet didn’t appear until 725 BC

8. Why do we read The Odyssey? The Odyssey is part of our cultural capital as Westerners Birthplace of Western civilization: Greece-  Rome-  Europe-  Americas Great adventure story! Has stood the test of time—a classic! Follows the Hero’s Journey pattern!

9. GREEK VALUES Important to understand some of the main Greek values of the time because…. These values help explain characters’ motivations

10. Greek Values (explains characters’ motivations) Hospitality: Treat all guests with respect Be nice first, ask questions later A stranger could be a god in disguise! Be our guest, be our guest, put our service to the test...

11. Greek Values (explains characters’ motivations) Arete: Greek idea of excellence, an ideal of human perfection Intelligence (be smart and cunning) Strength Courage Duty

12. Greek Values (explains characters’ motivations) Religion: Actions should please the gods Fate controlled by the gods Humans need the gods: man, without the gods, is nothing Humans should honor gods through sacrifices, asking gods for help, and giving credit to gods

13. The Epic

14. EPICS Things you will discover once you have read an Epic: Classical Allusions: references to mythology Example: She had the face that launched a thousand ships—Refers to Helen of Troy from Homer’s Illiad. You will find these allusions in other literature, movies, everyday conversations, and even in modern day advertising. Example: Percy Jackson series, Honda Odyssey van, Venus razors, Goodyear tires or Red Bull with Hermes’ wings, etc.

15. Conventions of the Epic

16. Epithet A brief descriptive phrase Characterizes person, place or thing Gives storyteller a “breather” Helps with rhyming or meter Examples: Dawn with fingers of rose Gray-eyed Athena The blue-maned god who makes the islands tremble Son of Laertes and gods of old, master mariner and soldier

17. Homeric Simile Compares epic events to everyday events “…in one stride he clutched at my companions and caught two in his hands like squirming puppies to beat their brains out, spattering the floor.”

18. In Medias Res in the middle In Medias Res: literary technique in which the plot sequence is out of order Latin for “in the middle,” the story begins in the middle of the action, flashes back to the beginning to catch up, then skips to the end Example: Forrest Gump

19. Homer’s Epics (composed between 900 & 700 BC!) First there was… The Iliad

20. Primary model for the epic of war Set in 10 th and final year of the Trojan War Focus: Achilles’ role and eventual end

21. After The Iliad (Aeneid by Virgil )Aeneid by Virgil ) Odysseus’ wooden horse trick Greeks defeat the Trojans Odysseus heads for home

22. The Odyssey Tales of Odysseus

23. The Odyssey Primary model for the epic of the long journey home

24. THE ODYSSEY Meaning: a long journey with many adventures or a spiritual or intellectual quest The word “odyssey” derives from the name Odysseus, the main character from the Odyssey

25. The Odyssey Involves 3 Sets of Characters: 1.The Greek GODS 2.Humans 3.Supernatural monsters and creatures

26. Post-War Trauma Long, exhausting, brutal war (10 years) Odysseus heads for home with nothing but ships and crew

27. The Odyssey A story told in 3 stages

28. PART ONE A story of what happens in Ithaca to Odysseus’ wife (Penelope) and son (Telemachus) as they await his return; he is a soldier MIA

29. PART TWO A story of Odysseus’ wanderings after the Trojan War—The war lasted 10 years and his wanderings lasted another 10 years.

30. PART THREE A story of how Odysseus returns home to Ithaca and joins forces with his son to destroy his enemies.

31. Why does it take Odysseus 10 years to get home? Let’s read and find out!