The Odyssey Plot Structure Plot Structure l l

The Odyssey Plot Structure

Plot Structure l l I. The Telemachy: Books I-IV—establishes the first large subject of the epic—a boy’s growth into manhood—an initiation story, an archetypal tale of adolescence and maturity. II. The absent king: Books V-VIII; Odysseus’s parallel situation to that of Telemachus—longing for reunion, restoration of the family, legitimate authority, and justice.

Plot Structure l l III. The supernatural adventures of Odysseus—the flashbacks of Books IX-XII. IV. The return of the king; the return of the prince— recognition and reunion—Books XIII-XVI V. Preparation for the slaughter of the suitors— Books XVII-XX. VI. Defeat of the suitors, restoration of the family, and peace at last: Books XXI-XXIV.

Literary Terms l l 1. Invocation of the Muse—the traditional appeal to the goddesses who rule over poetry for help in performing to great task of celebrating the adventures of the epic hero. 2. Epithet—in Homer often a compound adjective—examples—”swift-footed Achilles, ” “grey-eyed Athena, ” “clear-headed Telemachus”

Literary Terms l l 3. epic simile—an elaborate figure of speech with much detail in the vehicle describing the tenor. 4. epic hero—a larger-than-life figure who embodies the values of his culture in high adventure depicted in grand or elevated language. 5. Nostos=home 6. Nostalgia—the pain of home--homesickness

Meaning of Some Key Names l l l 1. Odysseus—”son of pain” 2. Telemachus—”far-away fighter” 3. Antinous—”anti-mind” 4. Eurymachus—”wide fighter” 5. Alcinous=“mighty mind” 6. Arete=moral perfection, the moral ideal.