A long time ago in a place far

A long time ago in a place far, far away… There was a man named Homer…

…and his epic called the Odyssey

An Introduction to Homer’s Odyssey

Homer: Ancient Man of Mystery

• History is vague on Homer’s identity; some say he is just a legend • The epics were not originally written-the Greek alphabet didn’t appear until 725 BC

Why do we read The Odyssey? • The Odyssey is part of our cultural capital as Westerners • Birthplace of Western civilization: Greece- Rome- Europe Americas • Great adventure story! • Has stood the test of time—a classic! • Follows the Hero’s Journey pattern!

GREEK VALUES Important to understand some of the main Greek values of the time because…. These values help explain characters’ motivations

Greek Values (explains characters’ motivations) Hospitality: • Treat all guests with respect • Be nice first, ask questions later • A stranger could be a god in disguise! Be our guest, be our guest, put our service to the test. . .

Greek Values (explains characters’ motivations) Arete: • Greek idea of excellence, an ideal of human perfection • Intelligence (be smart and cunning) • Strength • Courage • Duty

Greek Values (explains characters’ motivations) Religion: • Actions should please the gods • Fate controlled by the gods • Humans need the gods: man, without the gods, is nothing • Humans should honor gods through sacrifices, asking gods for help, and giving credit to gods

The Epic

EPICS Things you will discover once you have read an Epic: Classical Allusions: references to mythology Example: She had the face that launched a thousand ships—Refers to Helen of Troy from Homer’s Illiad. • You will find these allusions in other literature, movies, everyday conversations, and even in modern day advertising. • Example: Percy Jackson series, Honda Odyssey van, Venus razors, Goodyear tires or Red Bull with Hermes’ wings, etc.

Conventions of the Epic

Epithet A brief descriptive phrase • Characterizes person, place or thing • Gives storyteller a “breather” • Helps with rhyming or meter Examples: Dawn with fingers of rose Gray-eyed Athena The blue-maned god who makes the islands tremble Son of Laertes and gods of old, master mariner and soldier

Homeric Simile Compares epic events to everyday events “…in one stride he clutched at my companions and caught two in his hands like squirming puppies to beat their brains out, spattering the floor. ”

In Medias Res in the middle In Medias Res: literary technique in which the plot sequence is out of order Latin for “in the middle, ” the story begins in the middle of the action, flashes back to the beginning to catch up, then skips to the end Example: Forrest Gump

Homer’s Epics (composed between 900 & 700 BC!) First there was… The Iliad

The Iliad • Primary model for the epic of war • Set in 10 th and final year of the Trojan War • Focus: Achilles’ role and eventual end

After The Iliad (Aeneid by Virgil ) • Odysseus’ wooden horse trick • Greeks defeat the Trojans • Odysseus heads for home

The Odyssey Tales of Odysseus

The Odyssey Primary model for the epic of the long journey home

THE ODYSSEY • Meaning: a long journey with many adventures or a spiritual or intellectual quest • The word “odyssey” derives from the name Odysseus, the main character from the Odyssey

The Odyssey Involves 3 Sets of Characters: 1. The Greek GODS 2. Humans 3. Supernatural monsters and creatures

Post-War Trauma • Long, exhausting, brutal war (10 years) • Odysseus heads for home with nothing but ships and crew

The Odyssey A story told in 3 stages

PART ONE A story of what happens in Ithaca to Odysseus’ wife (Penelope) and son (Telemachus) as they await his return; he is a soldier MIA

PART TWO A story of Odysseus’ wanderings after the Trojan War—The war lasted 10 years and his wanderings lasted another 10 years.

PART THREE A story of how Odysseus returns home to Ithaca and joins forces with his son to destroy his enemies.

Why does it take Odysseus 10 years to get home? Let’s read and find out!