1. The Odyssey Epic Poetry Unit English I S. Ballard

2. Picking a fight… Gods and Goddesses throw party Gods and Goddesses throw party Eris (discord) not invited Eris (discord) not invited Rolls in golden apple for Hera (queen), Aphrodite (love), and Athena (wisdom) Rolls in golden apple for Hera (queen), Aphrodite (love), and Athena (wisdom)

3. Settling a dispute… Paris (prince of Troy) chose winner: Aphrodite Paris (prince of Troy) chose winner: Aphrodite Prize: Helen of Sparta Prize: Helen of Sparta

4. Another fight brewing… “The Face the Launched 1000 Ships” “The Face the Launched 1000 Ships” Agamemnon (king of all Greeks) Agamemnon (king of all Greeks) Sailed to Troy to wage war: Greeks v. Trojans Sailed to Troy to wage war: Greeks v. Trojans

5. Waging War… The Trojan War lasted for 10 years. The Trojan War lasted for 10 years. Greeks unable to penetrate city of Troy Greeks unable to penetrate city of Troy Odysseus comes up with great idea: Trojan Horse Odysseus comes up with great idea: Trojan Horse Homer’s The Iliad Homer’s The Iliad

6. Let’s Go Home… Odysseus angers Gods with Trojan Horse Odysseus angers Gods with Trojan Horse He journeys for 10 years to Ithaca He journeys for 10 years to Ithaca Homer’s The Odyssey Homer’s The Odyssey

7. Epic Poetry Epics have several main characteristics: Epics have several main characteristics: the hero is of imposing stature, of national or international importance, and of great historical or legendary significance (Epic Hero) the hero is of imposing stature, of national or international importance, and of great historical or legendary significance (Epic Hero) the setting is vast, covering many nations, the world, or the universe (journey) the setting is vast, covering many nations, the world, or the universe (journey) the action consists of deeds of great valor or requiring superhuman courage the action consists of deeds of great valor or requiring superhuman courage supernatural forces--gods, angels, demons--interest themselves in the action supernatural forces--gods, angels, demons--interest themselves in the action Begins in medias res Begins in medias res Invokes a muse -- inspiration Invokes a muse -- inspiration

8. Human Characters Odysseus – king of Ithaca Odysseus – king of Ithaca Penelope – Odysseus’ wife Penelope – Odysseus’ wife Telemachus – Odysseus’ son Telemachus – Odysseus’ son Alcinous – Phaeacian king Alcinous – Phaeacian king Antinous / Eurymachus – Penelope’s suitors Antinous / Eurymachus – Penelope’s suitors

9. Gods / Goddesses Zeus – king of gods Zeus – king of gods Poseidon – god of the sea Poseidon – god of the sea Athena – goddess of wisdom and war / Odysseus’ patron goddess Athena – goddess of wisdom and war / Odysseus’ patron goddess Aeolus – god of the wind Aeolus – god of the wind

10. More Supernatural Circe – sea witch who kidnaps Odysseus Circe – sea witch who kidnaps Odysseus Calypso – nymph who falls in love with Odysseus Calypso – nymph who falls in love with Odysseus Tiresias – prophet Odysseus meets in Hades Tiresias – prophet Odysseus meets in Hades

11. Monsters Polyphemus – Cyclops / son of Poseidon Polyphemus – Cyclops / son of Poseidon Scylla – 6-headed sea monster Scylla – 6-headed sea monster Charybdis – takes form of monstrous mouth Charybdis – takes form of monstrous mouth

12. Logistics Written by Homer 750 BCish Written by Homer 750 BCish – Wrote The Iliad, too! – Homer was blind – Some think he didn’t write them Action takes place 3200 years ago in Mediterranean Action takes place 3200 years ago in Mediterranean Based on actual history (think Titanic) Based on actual history (think Titanic)