The Odyssey

Freshman English

Name:___________________________

Period:____________

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The Hero’s JourneyDirections: Take notes from the power point about the Hero’s Journey. Keep this page to add information about Odysseus and his journey as you read The Odyssey.

The Hero’s Journey is a pattern of narrative identified by the American scholar _____________________ that appears

in drama, storytelling, myth, religious ritual, and psychological development. It describes the typical adventure of the

archetype known as ________________________, the person who goes out and

_________________________________________________ on behalf of a group, tribe, or civilization.

1. UNUSUAL BIRTH:

Odysseus ______________________________________________________________________________________2. THE ORDINARY WORLD:

Odysseus ______________________________________________________________________________________3. THE CALL TO ADVENTURE:

Odysseus ______________________________________________________________________________________4. SUPERNATURAL HELP:

Odysseus ______________________________________________________________________________________5. TALISMAN OR SPECIAL WEAPON:

Odysseus ______________________________________________________________________________________6. CROSSING THE THRESHOLD:

Odysseus ______________________________________________________________________________________7. TRIALS:

Odysseus ______________________________________________________________________________________8. ACHIEVEMENT OF GOALS:

Odysseus ______________________________________________________________________________________9. THE REWARD:

Odysseus ______________________________________________________________________________________10. RECONCILIATION WITH A FATHER FIGURE:

Odysseus ______________________________________________________________________________________11. RETURN HOME:

Odysseus ______________________________________________________________________________________

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What is an Epic Hero?

Mysterious Origins: The hero’s birth is often shrouded in mystery. Infant heroes are commonly ignorant of their true origins, having been exiled, abandoned, or adopted.

Super Powers: The hero, endowed at the moment of birth with extraordinary powers, may have his heroic properties revealed by supernatural means or through a crisis. This suggests a predestined heroism, a fulfilling or claiming of the hero’s destiny. These powers may be personal qualities or accouterments—a magic sword, cape, horn, etc.

Vulnerability or Tragic Flaw: The hero possesses a weakness or flaw, physical or psychological; the heroic figure is NOT a god.

Rite of Passage: The adventure the hero seeks is the claiming of his destiny. Through struggles, trials, and ordeals, the hero is tested and emerges a champion. *Struggle *Trials *Growth

Destiny: The hero is a boon to humanity, a savior, the glorification of the heroic ideal. His destiny may involve winning a maiden, a war, or a kingdom. Often the hero’s death causes a kind of immortality, the hope that he will reawaken in the “hour of destiny,” or belief that he still lives in another form among the people.

Think of a popular culture epic hero: _______________________________

What is his mysterious origin? _____________________________________

Super Power? __________________________________________________

Flaw? ________________________________________________________

Rite of Passage? ________________________________________________

Destiny? ______________________________________________________

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The Iliad: Greek EpicDirections: While watching the video(s) introducing The Iliad, answer the following questions.

1. What is the oldest surviving form of literature?

2. The fact that they (The Iliad and The Odyssey) are _______________ tells us that people were meant to recite them from memory.

The Iliad is about two things:1. ________________________________ the Greek concept of hospitality to strangers.

2. _____________ ___________________ _______ ________________________.

3. Explain Xenia in detail:

4. What was Paris planning to take from Menelaus?

5. What is special about Helen?

6. Why did Paris think he should (or could) take Helen?

7. What are the first words of the epic, The Iliad?

8. Why is Achilles so angry?

9. Given the choice between a long life of no note, and a short one of eternal glory, Achilles chooses to

fight. He does not fear _______________________. He fears being ______________________________.

10. _________________________________________________ chases Hector around the walls of Troy.

11. The Iliad ends with the funeral of ______________________________________________________.

12. This ending reflects what basic Greek sentiment?

13. Who is the only rotten apple among the Trojans?

14. Who shot the arrow that killed Achilles? _____________Where did it strike him? _______________

15. Because of Achilles’ wrath, he made the people of Troy pay the penalty for their prince's violation of

___________________.

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The Odyssey

16. If The Iliad is all about the wrath of Achilles, The Odyssey is all about the ____________of Odysseus.

17. Who competes for Achilles' fabulous armor, and, symbolically, the role as the new champion of the Greeks?

18. Because he is a better speaker, not necessarily a better warrior, ____________________ wins.

19. The Greeks, at this point, don’t need another Achilles. They don't need another proud killing

machine. They need a brilliant _______________________ and clever ________________________.

They need Odysseus.

20. What is Odysseus’ goal?

21. How does Odysseus use the Trojan Horse to win the war?

22. What is the basic pattern for most of Odysseus' problems?

Helen, the face that launched a thousand ships

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Introduction to the OdysseyDirections: Answer the following questions using pages 876-886 in your textbook.

What is an Epic? (page 878)

What types of epics are the Iliad and the Odyssey? (page 878) Iliad-

Odyssey-

What are examples of modern day epics? (page 879)

How were heroes characterized in Homer’s day? (page 880)

How is Odysseus different from other heroes? (page 880)

Why did Odysseus object to the Trojan War? (page 880)

What is a myth? (page 882)

What is an alter ego? (page 882)

How were the epics told? (page 883)

What is an Homeric or heroic simile? (page 884)

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The Odyssey People and Places

Directions: Using the pages listed below, define or identify each of the following characters and places found in The Odyssey. Write the complete definition found in your book.

The Wanderings: Characters and Places: (page 885)Achaeans or Argives

Aeaea

Alcinous

Calypso

Charybdis

Cicones

Circe

Cyclops (Poluphemus)

Erebus

Eurylochus

Lotus Eaters

Phaeacia

Scylla

Sirens

Teiresias

Thrinakia

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Ithaca: People at Home: (page 886)Antinous

Eumaeus

Eurycleia

Eurymachus

Eurynome

Penelope

Philoeteus

Telemachus

The Gods: (page 886)Athena

Apollo

Cronus

Helios

Hephaestus

Hermes

Poseidon

Zeus

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Directions: Using a dictionary, write the complete definition of each of the following vocabulary words. The Dictionary I Used is: _____________________________________

Hospitality-

Odyssey-

Stratagem-

Strife-

Heroism-

Guile-

Epithet-

Epic Simile-

Oral Tradition-

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Writing about The OdysseyBook 9 – Problem-Solution Paragraph with “The Cyclops” Instructions:

1. Begin by identifying the problem.2. Discuss its causes and effects, as well as implications and importance.3. Examine the solution(s) and their consequences.4. Do this for 3 – 5 problems in the story (section) and 1-2 solutions in the story (section).

Prepare:Use the following organizer to jot down examples and details for your list paragraphTransition Word Obstacles / Problems Explanation/Description

Early on, the Cyclops imprisons Odysseus and his men in a cave

Transition Word Solutions Explanation/Description

Paragraph:Use your notes in the graphic organizer above to write a well developed “problem-solution paragraph.” In your paragraph, please provide examples of the major obstacles Odysseus and his men face while on the Cyclops’ island (pages 899 – 909). Additionally, you will include the solution(s) that Odysseus finds to resolve this obstacle. Be sure to include all of the information listed above, as well as descriptions, and transition words.

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Odyssey Captain’s Time Line

As we study Homer’s epic poem The Odyssey, you will record Odysseus’ travel, plotting each stop Odysseus makes on a time line to help you track the unusual action of the story.

*On pages 15-16, you will plot the location of Odysseus in his journey:

*Name the location visited. (We will assume a start at Troy and end at Ithaca)

*State how long Odysseus and his men were there.

*State how many men were lost (killed).

*Write 2-3 details explaining what action took place.

*State the types of challenges Odysseus faces (mental, physical, intellectual).

*The first one has been done for you as an example.

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