An Introduction to The Odyssey by Homer Learning

An Introduction to The Odyssey by Homer

Learning Goal: Students will gain background knowledge to aid in the understanding of difficult text. (The Odyssey) 4 - I have a complete understanding of the background knowledge required to comprehend the text and could teach it to someone else. 3 - I have a complete understanding of the background knowledge required to comprehend the text and can remember without my notes. 2 - I have a partial understanding of the background knowledge required to comprehend the text, but will need my notes to remember some things. 1 - I have a limited understanding of the background knowledge required to comprehend the text and will need my notes to remember everything. 0 - Background knowledge? ? About what? Notes?

An Epic Poem How are they told? Epics were originally sung by people who couldn’t read and write The oral storyteller knew the basic story, but improvised the actual words on the spot. Poets like Homer would come to a city and tell the story over many days If time was limited, the poet would summarize some of the story and sing the rest in detail (pg. 891) Our version of the story is told like this, some parts are summarized and the rest is told in detail in the poem

The Illiad by Homer The Story of the Trojan War

How the War Began Eris, the goddess of discord, was upset because she wasn’t invited to Peleus’s wedding. To retaliate, she threw a golden apple labeled “for the fairest” into the wedding. Hera, Athena, and Aphrodite started fighting for the apple, so Zeus told Paris to decide who was the fairest. The goddesses each made a promise to Paris. Hera offered him power Athena offered him wisdom Aphrodite offered him the most beautiful woman in the world, Helen Paris chose Aphrodite, but the problem was Helen was already married to the King of Sparta Paris stole Helen from Sparta and brought her back to Troybeginning the war

About the War For 10 years, the Greeks battled against Troy, but they could not breach its walls. • Achilles was the main hero, but it was Odysseus who came up with idea of the Trojan Horse.

Odysseus and the Trojan Horse

Going Home It took Odysseus 10 years to get home

Athena & Poseidon The Friend & The Enemy

Penelope & Telemachus Wife & son

The Sirens Their sweet songs lured men to death

Polyphemus The Cyclops

Charybdis & Scylla The Whirlpool and 6 Headed Monster

Calypso Beautiful Nymph

Circe The Witch