The Odyssey IntroductionThe Odyssey Introduction

The OdysseyThe OdysseyThe Odyssey is a MYTH.

What is a myth?A myth is a story created by a whole people or society over a period of time that embodies some of the wisdom and truth valued by that society.

Some explain why the natural world is the way it is.

Some attempt to answer philosophical issues.

Myths were created over a time span of roughly 800 years.

The OdysseyThe Odyssey• -Greek myths are all that’s left of the ancient Greek religion.•-The oldest myths can be traced back to 800 B.C.•-The Greek myths are our window into the distant past

of Greece.

 

• -Greek myths are all that’s left of the ancient Greek religion.•-The oldest myths can be traced back to 800 B.C.•-The Greek myths are our window into the distant past

of Greece.

 

Question:

Why is it important to know an author’s background before reading his or her work?

Homer…the man behind the story

The authorship of The Odyssey is not known for sure; the epic* poems were passed down through an oral tradition and Homer, a figure whose existence cannot be proven, is only the name the ancient Greeks themselves attached to the poems. Whether he was the primary author of the poems, the primary recorder of the oral tradition of the poems, or a figment of someone's imagination, may never be known.

Many of the Greek myths that we know today were first recorded by him.

Not to be confused with

Not to be confused with

Homer…the man behind the storyHomer…the man behind the story

• Author of the two epic poems entitled The Iliad and The Odyssey, -written down by someone else about 750 B.C.

-events in them occurred about1600-1200 B.C.• Scholars believe he was a blind man who lived in Greece

around 700 B.C. (Nobody is really sure!)• Some believe Homer is the embodiment of several different

men.• During the Homeric age, there were very few people who

could read or write, so stories were passed down orally (oral tradition). How do you think this might have caused stories to change?

• Stories were usually put into the form of poetry because rhyme is easy to remember. Look for repetition in The Odyssey that makes it easier to remember!

• Poet-performer (recited and sang stories)

• Author of the two epic poems entitled The Iliad and The Odyssey, -written down by someone else about 750 B.C.

-events in them occurred about1600-1200 B.C.• Scholars believe he was a blind man who lived in Greece

around 700 B.C. (Nobody is really sure!)• Some believe Homer is the embodiment of several different

men.• During the Homeric age, there were very few people who

could read or write, so stories were passed down orally (oral tradition). How do you think this might have caused stories to change?

• Stories were usually put into the form of poetry because rhyme is easy to remember. Look for repetition in The Odyssey that makes it easier to remember!

• Poet-performer (recited and sang stories)

The Trojan War• According to the legend, the war began after

Paris, Prince of Troy, kidnapped Helen-

the most beautiful woman in the world- from

Menelaus, the king of Sparta.• Menelaus assembled an army of Greeks to go and bring

Helen back.• Odysseus of Ithaca was one of the Greek soldiers.• The war/siege lasted ten years.• Odysseus devised the plan of the Trojan horse.

The Illiad• Story of the last year of the Trojan War• War lasted 10 years.• Troy was defeated when Odysseus (Ulysses) and

his men were able to get inside the walls of Troy concealed within the body of the Trojan horse.

The Odyssey• The story of the journey of Odysseus (Ulysses) and

his men trying to get home after the Trojan War.• 10 years• an epic about humans on the journey of life

overcoming temptations along the way.

Think, Pair, ShareThink, Pair, Share

1. Name a hero in your life and describe why you consider that person to be a hero.

2. What kinds of qualities does a hero have?

3. What kinds of obstacles do heroes of today have to try and overcome?

1. Name a hero in your life and describe why you consider that person to be a hero.

2. What kinds of qualities does a hero have?

3. What kinds of obstacles do heroes of today have to try and overcome?

What is an Epic?• Long narrative poem on a serious subject

• Told in formal style

• Centers on hero and characters whose actions depend on the fate of a group, a nation, and/or humankind

• Action reveals heroic deeds in battle, long, arduous journeys, or quests

• Gods and other supernatural beings take an interest and an active role in human affairs.

BASED ON WESTERN EPIC MODELS From M. H. Abrams, A Glossary of Literary Terms, 6th ed. (1993)

What is an EPIC HERO?• The central character is a larger-than-life figure from history

or legend. The hero undertakes a journey, quest or dangerous voyage,

demonstrating traits such as courage, loyalty, and honor. The hero is usually tested in some way to prove his/her

worthiness. Presence of numerous mythical beings, magical and helpful

animals, etc. Travels usually take hero to a supernatural world Cycle must reach a low point where hero nearly gives up or

appears defeated A resurrection – a metaphoric rebirth of the hero Restitution often takes the form of the hero regaining

rightful place on throne

*Notice the journey is like a cycle.

Can you think of any modern stories –books or movies- that fit the epic description?

Who are the epic heroes in these stories?

Day 2 - Annotations

Annotate- making notes directly onto a text

• Why annotate?– Helps you read actively instead of

passively

– all the information is together and inseparable, with notes very close to the text for easier understanding, and with fewer pieces to keep organized.

– You will need to produce evidence (CDs) that supports your knowledge or reading for tests and quizzes.

• Tools Needed: highlighter (preferably yellow), pen or pencil, text

The Annotating Process• Step 1: Highlight - While you read, highlight whatever

seems to be key information. At first, you will probably highlight too little or too much; with experience, you will choose more effectively which material to highlight.

• Step 2: Write Marginalia - While you read, use marginal notes to mark key material. Marginalia can include check marks, question marks, stars, arrows, brackets, and written words and phrases. Create your own system for marking what is important, interesting, quotable, questionable, and so forth.

*Never highlight a passage without adding marginalia to indicate why the passage is important.

The Annotating Process• Step 3: Write cover notes - Inside the front cover of your

book, keep an orderly, legible list of "key information" with page references. Key information in a novel might include themes; passages that relate to the book's title; characters' names; valuable quotes; important scenes, passages, and chapters; and maybe key definitions or vocabulary.

• Consider the following: – At the end of each chapter or section, briefly summarize

the material. – Title each chapter or section as soon as you finish it,

especially if the text does not provide headings for chapters or sections.

– Make a list of vocabulary words on a back page or the inside back cover.

While you are reading… you will be annotating the following symbols in your book

Symbols are objects, characters, figures, or colors used to represent abstract ideas or concepts. In other words, using one item to represent another or stand for another.

-Laertes’ shroud = Penelope’s cunning mind-Odysseus’s bow = a King’s superiority-the sea = the sea of life (the journey)-Ithaca = home-food = temptation and lack of discipline-the wedding bed = unshakable marriage

BE ON THE LOOKOUT FOR THESE THEMES- Take Notes!!!BE ON THE LOOKOUT FOR THESE THEMES- Take Notes!!!

THEME - an idea or insight about life conveyed by a work of literature. There can be multiple themes.

It’s easy to think of a theme as a main idea that teaches you something about life

You are expected to find and note multiple examples of each of the themes in order to succeed on your quizzes, essays, and exams. You may be asked at any time to provide examples of these themes.

THEME - an idea or insight about life conveyed by a work of literature. There can be multiple themes.

It’s easy to think of a theme as a main idea that teaches you something about life

You are expected to find and note multiple examples of each of the themes in order to succeed on your quizzes, essays, and exams. You may be asked at any time to provide examples of these themes.

THEME #1:The power of cunning and disguise over strength THEME #1:The power of cunning and disguise over strength

Odysseus’ (protagonist) most obvious characteristic is being cunning. Note his ability to get out of jams that seem impossible!

• Ex. Odysseus’ Trojan horse idea (This is cunning and disguise. The soldiers disguise themselves in the body of the horse)

• Odysseus’ takes on many disguises throughout The Odyssey. * Try to find as many as you can and keep notes on his disguises!

• Athena and her disguises• Even when possessing great strength, Odysseus relies

much more on mind than muscle.

Odysseus’ (protagonist) most obvious characteristic is being cunning. Note his ability to get out of jams that seem impossible!

• Ex. Odysseus’ Trojan horse idea (This is cunning and disguise. The soldiers disguise themselves in the body of the horse)

• Odysseus’ takes on many disguises throughout The Odyssey. * Try to find as many as you can and keep notes on his disguises!

• Athena and her disguises• Even when possessing great strength, Odysseus relies

much more on mind than muscle.

THEME #2: The pitfalls of temptation

THEME #2: The pitfalls of temptation

• Instances where Odysseus and his men are punished because they succumb to temptation and moral weakness

• Submission to temptation or recklessness has the power to anger the gods and/or distract the men from their journey.

• Instances where Odysseus and his men are punished because they succumb to temptation and moral weakness

• Submission to temptation or recklessness has the power to anger the gods and/or distract the men from their journey.

THEME #3: Women as predators* *acting with selfish motives

THEME #3: Women as predators* *acting with selfish motives

• Women are often presented as aggressors in The Odyssey.

• Note: Circe, Calypso, The Sirens, and Agamemnon’s wife

• Women are often presented as aggressors in The Odyssey.

• Note: Circe, Calypso, The Sirens, and Agamemnon’s wife

THEME #4: loyalty

THEME #4: loyalty

• Odysseus spends time with both Calypso and Circe (beautiful goddesses). During these times, he is unfaithful to his wife (Penelope).

• Odysseus fears that Penelope may be unfaithful to him because he is gone for so long (20 years!).

• Men, like Odysseus, have some freedom to “wander” sexually while they are away from home as long are ultimately faithful to their wives by returning home.

• Odysseus spends time with both Calypso and Circe (beautiful goddesses). During these times, he is unfaithful to his wife (Penelope).

• Odysseus fears that Penelope may be unfaithful to him because he is gone for so long (20 years!).

• Men, like Odysseus, have some freedom to “wander” sexually while they are away from home as long are ultimately faithful to their wives by returning home.

Theme #5: Character flaws Theme #5: Character flaws

• Prone to errors (temptation, etc.)• Dangerous pride• Foolish decisions

• Prone to errors (temptation, etc.)• Dangerous pride• Foolish decisions

Literary Devices - look for examples of these while readingLiterary Devices - look for examples of these while reading

EPITHET: a characterizing word or phrase accompanying or occurring in place of the name of a person or thing

(e.g., “rosy-fingered dawn,” “wise Odysseus,” and “bright-eyed Athena”)

*These were very easy to remember for actors who recited the poetry.

METAPHOR: a direct comparison between two things, where one thing becomes the other thing.

EPITHET: a characterizing word or phrase accompanying or occurring in place of the name of a person or thing

(e.g., “rosy-fingered dawn,” “wise Odysseus,” and “bright-eyed Athena”)

*These were very easy to remember for actors who recited the poetry.

METAPHOR: a direct comparison between two things, where one thing becomes the other thing.

More Literary Devices More Literary Devices

• Simile: A comparison of a subject, to something more easily visualized or more familiar to the audience. Always uses the words “like” or “as.”

• Personification: the act of giving inanimate objects human characteristics

• Formal Rhetoric: Long, formal speeches by characters. These can be found throughout The Odyssey and are used to better establish the character that is speaking.

• Simile: A comparison of a subject, to something more easily visualized or more familiar to the audience. Always uses the words “like” or “as.”

• Personification: the act of giving inanimate objects human characteristics

• Formal Rhetoric: Long, formal speeches by characters. These can be found throughout The Odyssey and are used to better establish the character that is speaking.