Home learning task What do we mean by

Home learning task • What do we mean by Homer’s ‘Dark Ages’? • Why were stories important in Homer’s time?

Epic performance: repetition, rhythms and music

Homeric poetry • Poems • Music • Drama •

Homer’s instrument the herald, placed a silver-embossed chair in the midst of them all, with its back against a high pillar, and hung the ringing lyre on a peg above his head, and showed him how to find it with his hands. And he set a handsome table by his side, with a basket of bread, and a cup of wine to drink if he was so minded. Then they all stretched out their hands to the fine feast spread before them. When they had satisfied their need for food and drink, the Muse inspired her bard to sing of the heroes’ glorious deeds, part of that tale whose fame had risen to high heaven, Phorminx 5 th century BC kylix

Ancient Greek music • How could music enhance the performance by Homer? • https: //youtu. be/_6 Yc. LLU 80 Bg

Epithets and formula • Phrases which describe characteristics of people or nature • Odysseus is πολυτροπον- man of many tricks/wiles

Homeric rhythm- dactylic hexameter • Ἀνδρα μοι ἐννεπε Μουσα πολυτροπον ος μαλα πολλα • sing to me, oh Muse, about a Man of many tricks who endured many things

Parallel scenes- repeated images and scenes Odysseus lands in Telepylos, land of the Laestrygonians I climbed a high rock to reconnoitre, but could see no sign neither of man nor cattle, only some smoke rising from the ground. So I sent two of my company with an attendant to find out what sort of people the inhabitants were. Odysseus lands in Aeaea, land of circe Climbing to the top of a high look-out I espied the smoke of Circe's house rising upwards amid a dense forest of trees, and when I saw this I doubted whether, having seen the smoke, I would not go on at once and find out more, but in the end I deemed it best to go back to the ship, give the men their dinners, and send some of them instead of going myself.

Aristotle on Direct speech in Homer Aristotle- Classical Greek philosopher ‘Homer, admirable in all respects, has the special merit of being the only poet who rightly appreciates the part he should take himself. The poet should speak as little as possible in his own person, for it is not this that makes him an imitator. Other poets appear themselves upon the scene throughout, and imitate but little and rarely. Homer, after a few prefatory words, at once brings in a man, or woman, or other personage; none of them wanting in characteristic qualities, but each with a character of his own. ’

Penelope and Odysseus • ‘I’ll swear it on oath as well. Zeus, the greatest and best of gods, be my witness, and peerless Odysseus’ hearth to which I have come: all I have said shall truly come to pass. Odysseus will be here this month, between this moon’s wane and next moon’s waxing. ’ • How I wish your words might prove true! Then you would have kindness and many a gift from me, so that everyone you meet would call you blessed. But my heart is filled with foreboding. ’ • https: //youtu. be/N 1 WIHMW 2 wl 8

Concluding questions • Are epithets more important for rhythms than characterisation? • To what extent can we reconstruct the sounds of Homer’s music? • To what extent was Homeric oral poetry like Ancient Greek theatre? • To what extent was Ancient Greek poetry like hip hop/rap music?

Home learning task: • Research the ancient phorminx • Materials • Tone • Read Odyssey book 21, lines 359 -end. How could a bard use his instrument to bring this scene to life for his audience?

Half term assignment Who was Homer? What are the conclusions you have drawn about Homer. You may wish to consider: • Later sources • Possible locations and identities • Oral poetry- rhythmns and music • Possible influences from Epic of Gilgamesh • Possible purpose in writing- moral fable?