The Odyssey By Homer Background The Odyssey is
The Odyssey By Homer
Background �The Odyssey is a sequel (the second book in a series). �It is the second of Homer’s two great epic poems. �Part one is called The Iliad.
The Iliad �The Iliad is the story of the Trojan War which might actually have taken place around 1250 B. C. �This poem is a tale of myth and magic, not history.
�The gods and goddesses of Ancient Greece are important characters. �They take sides in the war and help the human characters.
�According to the myth, the war started this way: Paris was a prince in the city of Troy. �Three goddesses asked him to judge who among them was the most beautiful. �Aphrodite, the goddess of love, offered Paris a reward if he chose her. �She said he could have Helen, the most beautiful woman in the world. �However, Helen was married to Menelaus, the King of Sparta, a city in Greece. �When Paris visited Sparta, Aphrodite made Helen fall in love with him. �Helen ran away with Paris.
�Menelaus and his brother, Agamemnon, led a Greek army against Troy to bring her back. �The war that followed is called the Trojan War after the name Troy.
�The Iliad takes place during the last months of the Trojan War. �Its hero is Achilles, a mighty Greek warrior. �The Iliad ends with the funeral of Hector, a Trojan hero who is killed by Achilles. �The story tells of many heroes on both sides. �Of the Greek heroes is named Odysseus.
The Odyssey �The Odyssey is named for Odysseus. �Odysseus is the King of Ithaca, and island off the coast of Greece. �According to the myth, Odysseus did not want to fight at Troy. �He did not want to leave his wife, Penelope, and his baby son, Telemachus.
�Odysseus had to be tricked into joining the Greek army. �Once he was involved in the fighting, however, he proved to be brave and clever. �In fact, Odysseus thought of the trick that finally won the war for the Greeks. �The Odyssey is mostly about Odysseus’ adventures after the Trojan War. �In one adventure he makes an enemy of Poseidon, the Sea God. �Poseidon punishes him by making him wander the seas, never allowing him to reach home.
Invocation to the Muse �An INVOCATION is a call for help or support. �In ancient times, poets or artists would call upon a MUSE to help them write or create. �A MUSE is a person or thing that inspires you to create. �Ancient poets, like Homer, would start their poems with an invocation to the Muse, or a call to help them create a great poem.
Epic Poem or Story �An Epic Poem or story is a larger than life story that contains many adventures or a long journey.
Characteristics of an epic �The setting is vast, covering great nations, the world or the universe. �The action consists of deeds of great valor or requiring superhuman courage. �Supernatural forces—gods, angels, demons — interest themselves in the action.
Characteristics of the Epic Hero �EPIC HERO - a larger-than-life hero who embodies the values of a particular society. Characteristics: � 1. An epic hero is superhuman. He is braver, stronger, smarter, and cleverer than an ordinary person is. � 2. The epic hero is on a quest for something of great value to him or his people. � 3. The villains that try to keep the hero from his quest are usually uglier, more evil, and more cunning than anyone we know in ordinary life. � 4. The epic hero is often of mixed divine and human birth and so possesses human weaknesses. � 5. The divine world (the gods) interferes with the human world.
Epithet �A phrase that describes a person and connects to their name. Often seen in Homer’s Epic Poems. �Epithets describe physical traits, lineage, or personality traits. �Example: � Odysseus, son of Laertes � Sparkling-eyed Athena (Homer 7) List the epithets for the following characters: � Odysseus (page 7) � Calypso (page 7) � Poseidon (page 7) � Athena (page 17) � Menaelus (page 18)
Create your own Epithet �Create your own epithet on a piece of paper. �Write your name and create three epithets for yourself according to the following criteria �A physical trait �A personality trait �Lineage � Illustrate each of the epithets in a way that symbolizes the phrase within the epithet.
Rubric for Grading the Epithet Project: �Epithet depicts physical trait 15 �Physical traits are illustrated in a symbolic way 10 �Epithet depicts personality trait 15 �Personality traits are illustrated symbolically 10 �Epithet depicts lineage 15 �Physical traits are illustrated in a symbolic way 10 �Name is creatively written on the paper 10 85 total
Terms used to talk about Epics �Poet opens by stating theme, invokes the Muse, and opens the narrative in medias res, giving necessary exposition later. �Poet includes catalogs of warriors, ships, armies, etc. �Extended formal speeches by the main characters. �Poet makes frequent use of the epic simile. �Epic simile: an elaborate comparison, involved and ornate. Also called the extended or Homeric simile.
The Greek Virtues �All Greeks were challenged to live by the virtues set by their culture. Breaking one of the Greek virtues meant angering the gods. The virtues are: �Loyalty �Hospitality �Respect for the gods and goddesses �Respect for all forms of life �Courage
Themes � Respect for the Gods Respect for the gods is shown through the numerous descriptions of sacrifices and offerings. Disrespect for the Gods inevitably leads to disaster; the Gods do not forget disrespect and are not easily appeased. (Poseidon, Athena, Helios. ) � The Importance of Lineage Almost every time we met someone significant the narration pauses and we learn of the lineage. Many "things" we see also have a lineage or history that we are given - note Odysseus scar and his bow. � Fate is preordained by a power beyond that of even the gods. Paradoxically, it does not seem "random. " A character's fate is tied up with his "character. "
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