1. The Odyssey
An Introduction…

2. Homer
The blind poet Homer is credited with bringing Greek stories of war and adventure together into the epics the Iliad and the Odyssey.

3. Characteristics of an Epic:
A physically impressive hero of national or historical importance
A vast setting including the known physical world and sometimes the land of the dead
A quest or journey undertaken in search of something of value
The involvement of supernatural forces
Glorification of the hero
A basis in a specific culture or society

4. The Iliad: The Trojan War
At the wedding feast of Peleus and Thetis, Eris (God of Strife) threw a golden apple into the midst of the goddesses with the words “for the fairest” inscribed on it.
Zeus elected Paris, a prince of Troy, to judge who was fairest.
Paris

5. The Iliad: The Trojan War
Hera promised to make him a wealthy king.
Athena offered him wisdom and valor.
Aphrodite promised him the love of the most beautiful woman in the world, Helen. (PS. She won)
“Helen of Troy”:
The face that launched
1000 ships

6. Claiming his prize, Paris stole Helen from her husband, King Menelaus of Sparta. Menelaus summoned the leaders of Greece to conquer Troy and recover Helen.
Greek heroes included Odysseus, Achilles, Agamemnon, and Ajax.
The gods Hera, Athena, Poseidon, Hermes, and Hephaestus aided the Greeks.
Trojan heroes included Hector and Aeneas.
They were aided by the gods Apollo, Artemis, Ares, and Aphrodite.

7. The war lasted ten years and brought about many casualties.
The Greeks finally won by using Odysseus’ Trojan Horse. The Trojans thought it was a gift, but Greek soldiers were hiding inside.

8. The Odyssey
The Odyssey is the story of the journey of Odysseus as he tries to return home to Ithaca, where his wife Penelope and his son Telemachus are waiting for him.
Odysseus angers the god Poseidon, so the journey lasts ten years.

9. The Odyssey movie