The Odyssey Homer A long time ago in

The Odyssey – Homer

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 The Odyssey

Homer A Man of Mystery

Who was HOMER? Homer was a blind minstrel (he told stories to entertain and to make his living); audiences had to listen carefully (this is “oral tradition” so there was a lot of repetition and improvisation used).

Other traveling poets (called rhapsodes) memorized and recited these epics in the banquet halls of kings and noble families.

• History is vague on Homer’s identity; some say he is just a legend, others say that a whole series of rhapsodes composed various parts of the epics. • The epics were not originally written. The Greek alphabet didn’t appear until 725 BC.

Cultural Capital common knowledge that a group of people from the same culture shares. Cultural Capital knowledge can come from: • Literature • Stories/History • Religion • Famous People • Media

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

GREEK VALUES It is important to understand some of the main Greek Values of the time because these values help explain characters’ motivations.

Greek Values (explains characters’ motivations) Reciprocity • Mutual exchange between two people. • You give to me, I give to you. • You help me now, and I have to help you later.

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 is controlled by the gods. • Humans need the gods (man, without the gods, is nothing) [Odysseus’s revelation]. • Humans should honor the gods through sacrifices, asking gods for help, and giving credit to the gods.

Epics and Heroes What is Hubris? Tony Stark (Iron Man) Hubris is extreme arrogance or self-pride. Often in Greek tragedies, hubris would be the fatal flaw of the main character, often resulting in their downfall. In Mythology, humans sometimes demonstrated hubris, which angered the gods.

MYTH AND EPIC A myth is a story that uses fantasy to express ideas about life not easily done in realistic terms (it also stresses the relationship of human beings to a higher, spiritual realm).

The Epic

Characteristics of the Epic: 1. Long, narrative poem 2. Reflects the values of a nation or culture. 3. Addresses universal concerns 4. Focuses on the adventures of a historical or legendary hero. 5. The supernatural plays an important role.

6. The story is set in many locations. 7. The hero is against the odds – strong and courageous. 8. The story is simple and written in formal language.

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. ” This is a reference to Helen of Troy from The Iliad. • You will find these allusions in other literature, movies, everyday conversations, and even in modern day advertising. • Examples – Percy Jackson series, Honda Odyssey van, Venus razors, Good Year tires with Hermes wings.

EPICS Things you will discover once you have read an Epic: The Hero’s Journey Pattern • Most epic heroes go on some sort of quest. • Look for examples of the Separation, Transformation, and Return. • Be able to chart Odysseus’s Hero’s Journey through the eight stages and apply the Hero’s Journey concepts to his journey. • How does Odysseus change?

Conventions of the Epic

Epithet -a brief descriptive phrase • characterizes a person, place, or thing • gives the story-teller a “breather” • helps with rhyming or meter Examples • rosy-fingered dawn • gray-eyed Athena • The blue-maned god who makes the islands tremble • Son of Laertes and gods of old, master mariner and soldier

Epic Simile compares epic events to everyday events Example – “…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 • 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 the tenth and final year of the Trojan War • Details Achilles’ role and eventual end

After The Iliad • Odysseus’s wooden horse trick. • Greeks defeat the Trojans. • Odysseus heads for home.

The Odyssey Tales of Odysseus

The Travels 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” is derived from the name Odysseus, the main character from The Odyssey (he is also referred to as Ulysses in classic literature)

The Odyssey Involves three Sets of Characters 1. 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 his crew.

The Odyssey A Story told in Three Stages

PART ONE A story of what happens in Ithaca to Odysseus’s wife (Penelope) and his son (Telemachus) as they await his return.

PART TWO A story of Odysseus’s 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 ten years to get home? Read and find out!

Meanwhile…there’s trouble at home! • In Ithaca, Odysseus is suspected to be dead. • Suitors have invaded the palace. • Penelope, Odysseus’s wife, is in an awkward position and must trick the men into leaving her alone. • Telemachus, Odysseus’ son, resents the imposing situation. And so the epic begins…