In a brief paragraph, please list all that you learned about Homer, the Trojan War, and Homer’s The

Odyssey.

I will learn the historical context surrounding Homer’s The Odyssey by reading summaries of the Trojan War and presenting information from those summaries to the class.

““In Media Res” In Media Res” = “In the Middle of Things”

The IlliadBy Homer

• Epic poem describing the events of the Trojan War

• Written before The Odyssey

• Many causes of the events presented in The Odyssey begin during this war

The OdysseyBy Homer

• Epic poem describing the perilous travels of Odysseus, King of Ithaca after the end of Trojan War

• Written after the Illiad

• Many events occur as a direct result of the Trojan War

Jigsaw Activity: Jigsaw Activity: The Trojan WarThe Trojan War

• Each group will receive ONE of four parts summarizing the main events of the Trojan War

• Each group must work together to read, identify main events, create a chart of the events, and present the information to the class

• If any one student or group does not do their part, the class will miss out on the needed information

The Trojan WarThe Trojan WarPart One

• Eris sets the Apple of Discord amongst three goddesses as revenge

• Fighting amongst Athena, Hera, and Aphrodite begins

• The Bribery of Prince Paris

• Helen of Sparta, daughter of Zeus and most beautiful woman in the world

• Her step father makes all King suitors take an oath to support her husband in battle if their marriage is wronged

• Although promised to Paris by Aphrodite, Helen is married off to King Meneleus

• Aphrodite takes Paris to Sparta and makes Helen fall in love with him

The Trojan WarThe Trojan WarPart Two

• The oath is set into effect and hundreds of ships set sail for Troy

• The Trojan army is led by Prince Hector. Achilles is the star solider of the opposing army, they are destined to meet on the battlefield

• The Gods begin feuding due to the war

• Achilles loans his friend Patrocolus his armor.

• Patrocolus is killed by Hector who thinks he is fighting Achilles

• Achilles swears revenge on Hector

The Trojan WarThe Trojan WarPart Three

• Achilles seeks out Hector on the battlefield

• He kills Hector in battle and drags his body back to the Greek encampment refusing to release to the Trojan King for burial rites

• King Priam rides to the camp with a chariot full of treasure to buy back his son’s body

• Achilles’ attitude changes after Pratrocolus’ funeral and he agrees to return Hector’s body

The Trojan WarThe Trojan WarPart Four

• The Trojan War rages on for ten years

• Achilles is killed in battle and the idiom “Achilles’ Heel” is born

• The only way the Greeks can win now is to develop a plan = King Odysseus develops the Trojan Horse

• The city of Troy is burned and conquered by deceit and treachery

Exit ReflectionExit Reflection

In three sentences or less, summarize the Trojan War.

Then explain in your own words why the study of this war is important to the historical context of The Odyssey.

Jigsaw Activity: Jigsaw Activity: The Trojan WarThe Trojan War

1. Assign group roles (on the next slide)

2. Read summary and gather information

3. Create a chart representing the information gathered

4. Present to the class

Group Roles and Group Roles and InstructionsInstructions• Facilitator:

– Begin the summary reading and prompt all group members to read at least one paragraph aloud

– Read the final questions at the end to your group and begin by sharing the first possible answer

– Guide your group toward picking out main events and information from the summary– Make sure everyone reads and shares at least one thought or example

• Recorder:– Write each group member’s name at the top of a sheet of line paper and title the sheet– Take notes as group members share their ideas. (Handwriting must be neat and legible!)– Read and share ideas of your own with the group– Record finalized ideas in chronological order onto the chart paper

• Checker:– Make sure your group is on track and that everyone has a chance to share– Look at the timer or ask the teacher for periodic time checks– Read and share ideas of your own with the group– Make sure everyone is fulfilling their role and contributing, and make sure your group is

following the directions!

• Spokesperson:– Read and share ideas of your own with the group– Contribute to the creation of the chart– Make sure to create a script for your presentation containing the information you group

wants you to share on a separate sheet of paper (Title: Spokesperson’s Script)– You will present the information your group has gathered to the class

The Trojan WarThe Trojan War“The Apple of Discord” and

“Helen of Sparta”• Summary of main event #1

• Summary of main event #2

• Summary of main event #3

Exit ReflectionExit Reflection

In a brief paragraph, identify at least ONE of things you learned about the events of the Trojan War during today’s lesson and explain in your own words why the study of this war is important to the historical context of They Odyssey.