Homer’sHomer’sThe OdysseyThe Odyssey

What do we already know about What do we already know about the Odyssey?the Odyssey?

What do we want to learn about the What do we want to learn about the Odyssey?Odyssey?

What is an Odyssey?What is an Odyssey?

Your notes…Your notes…

Hero’s Journey

Cultural Myths Gods/Goddesses

The Epic (purpose and form)

Homer

The Odyssey

Who was Homer?Who was Homer?

No…not this one!No…not this one!

Who was Homer? Who was Homer? This one!This one!

HomerHomer Blind poet?Blind poet? Recited the poems, Recited the poems,

• taught others taught others • eventually recordedeventually recorded

Man?Man? What did he contribute to literature?What did he contribute to literature?

• original plot structureoriginal plot structure• realistic (human) charactersrealistic (human) characters• set on earthset on earth• dialogue and detaildialogue and detail• tales of monsterstales of monsters• used immortals; gave them human qualities, but remained used immortals; gave them human qualities, but remained

respectful respectful theme: respect for gods is essential to survivaltheme: respect for gods is essential to survival

What is an epic?What is an epic? EpicEpic

a long narrative poem written on great and serious a long narrative poem written on great and serious subjectsubject

describes values of a culturedescribes values of a culture CharacteristicsCharacteristics

Hero: national or cosmic importanceHero: national or cosmic importance Setting: ample in scale—over countries or globalSetting: ample in scale—over countries or global Action: based on action, often involves superhuman Action: based on action, often involves superhuman

deeds or battle deeds or battle Gods: Supernatural beings take interest or active Gods: Supernatural beings take interest or active

partpart Narration: uses formal speech to convey grandeur Narration: uses formal speech to convey grandeur

and formality of the heroic subjectand formality of the heroic subject

What is the purpose of the epic?What is the purpose of the epic?

DeliveryDelivery poems not written downpoems not written down

• memorized by rhapsodiesmemorized by rhapsodies both epics recited every 4 years at the festival of both epics recited every 4 years at the festival of

AthenaAthena Epics based on Greek educationEpics based on Greek education

PurposePurpose Students learnedStudents learned

• how to tell a storyhow to tell a story• portray a characterportray a character• give a speechgive a speech• express Greek ideals of thought and actionexpress Greek ideals of thought and action• models for later writersmodels for later writers

What happened before What happened before The The OdysseyOdyssey??

The Iliad:The Iliad: considered the first great work of Western considered the first great work of Western

LiteratureLiterature Achilles is the heroAchilles is the hero Written between 700-900 BCWritten between 700-900 BC

Trojan WarTrojan War Probable cause--economicProbable cause--economic Troy controlled all trade through the areaTroy controlled all trade through the area Greeks wanted to expand the routeGreeks wanted to expand the route Legendary cause—Helen of Troy, wife of King or Legendary cause—Helen of Troy, wife of King or

Sparta, was abducted by Paris; took years to Sparta, was abducted by Paris; took years to develop army; fight 10 years; Troy lostdevelop army; fight 10 years; Troy lost

What role did Gods and What role did Gods and Goddesses play?Goddesses play?

What is a Cultural Myth?What is a Cultural Myth?

What can we add to our notes?What can we add to our notes?

Let’s review: what should we Let’s review: what should we add to our notes?add to our notes?

Still need fate vs. free will clipStill need fate vs. free will clip

Works CitedWorks Cited

““Great Books: The Odyssey.” Great Books: The Odyssey.” Discovery Discovery

Channel SchoolChannel School. 1997. . 1997. unitedstreaming. unitedstreaming. 4 June 2007. 4 June 2007. http://www.unitedstreaming.com/http://www.unitedstreaming.com/..

““Great Books: Homer's Odyssey.” Great Books: Homer's Odyssey.” Discovery Discovery Channel School.Channel School. 2004. unitedstreaming. 4 2004. unitedstreaming. 4 June 2007. June 2007. http://www.unitedstreaming.com/http://www.unitedstreaming.com/. .