2. THE ODYSSEY By, Homer Part 1: An Introduction Part 1: An Introduction Jeanette K. Lasko Jeanette K. Lasko

3. What is an epic? A long, narrative poem A long, narrative poem Tells the adventures of heroes Tells the adventures of heroes The heroes and characters reveal qualities about their civilization and time period The heroes and characters reveal qualities about their civilization and time period

4. Who was Homer? Possibly a blind minstrel Possibly a blind minstrel Minstrels were people who traveled from town to town singing about legendary events or about gods Minstrels were people who traveled from town to town singing about legendary events or about gods

5. HOMER He was possibly just a legend He was possibly just a legend Possibly a woman Possibly a woman

6. The People and Their Times Approximately 800 B.C. Approximately 800 B.C. Very violent culture  War and death were common Very violent culture  War and death were common

7. The People and Their Times People worshiped gods and goddesses People worshiped gods and goddesses People concerned about their relationship with gods since they controlled all things People concerned about their relationship with gods since they controlled all things People believed in myths People believed in myths

8. Example of a god This is the god Poseidon This is the god Poseidon He is the god of the sea He is the god of the sea Odysseus angers him Odysseus angers him Here we see Poseidon punish Odysseus Here we see Poseidon punish Odysseus

9. How The Story Was Told… The story was passed on by Oral Tradition The story was passed on by Oral Tradition This means by word of mouth This means by word of mouth

10. How The Story Was Told… Stories and historical events were not recorded; just told to generation after generation Stories and historical events were not recorded; just told to generation after generation Many people couldn’t read or write, so to be educated they had to listen Many people couldn’t read or write, so to be educated they had to listen

11. How The Story Was Told… Many words and parts were made up on the spot to fit the rhythm of the story Many words and parts were made up on the spot to fit the rhythm of the story There is much repetition  it gave the singer time to prepare and think ahead There is much repetition  it gave the singer time to prepare and think ahead The epic is divided into parts, and then into books The epic is divided into parts, and then into books

12. Important Terms Homeric Simile- compares epic events to everyday events Homeric Simile- compares epic events to everyday events –Helps people unfamiliar with war and heroes understand the events better

13. Important Terms The language used is Archaic The language used is Archaic This means some of it is old and outdated This means some of it is old and outdated Examples: Examples: –Beeves= cows –Combers= large waves

14. Credits Leeming, David A. (2003). The Odyssey: An Introduction by Leeming, David A. (2003). The Odyssey: An Introduction by David Adams Leeming. In Elements of Literature (pp.878-886). New York: Holt, Rinehart and Winston. David Adams Leeming. In Elements of Literature (pp.878-886). New York: Holt, Rinehart and Winston. Websites (used for images): Websites (used for images): –www.ensemblestudios.com www.ensemblestudios.com –www.library.thinkquest.org www.library.thinkquest.org –www.livius.org www.livius.org –www.legion-fourteen.org www.legion-fourteen.org –www.cumbavac.com www.cumbavac.com –www.artsales.com/artistory/ancient_ships www.artsales.com/artistory/ancient_ships