1. The Odyssey, Odysseus, and the Epic Poem English 1 CP

2. The Odyssey  Extended adventurous voyage or trip  Written by Homer  Told the story about most famous Greek event-Trojan War

3. Epic Poem  Long narrative poem about the feats of a hero (entertainment)  Hero reflects goals and values of society  Taught lessons to listeners/readers  Heroes were included so people would be like them  Historical fact, legend and truth  Incredible deeds and adventures  Gods/goddesses help and harass the hero  Iliad, Odyssey, Beowulf

4. Homer  Wrote Iliad and Odyssey (Iliad was story of war, Odyssey takes place after)  Blind  Collected stories in 800 B.C. Stories had been sung by Greek minstrelsStories had been sung by Greek minstrels Some took DAYS to tellSome took DAYS to tell Set to musicSet to music So stories were told and listened to more than they were readSo stories were told and listened to more than they were read

5. Epic Hero  Central figure of an epic (Odysseus)  Better than everyone (strength, courage, endurance)  Important  Legend or fact based  Reflects society  Pride in reputation  Love for family/homeland  Forceful leader  Life is precious  kingly

6. The Odyssey  In media res –in the middle of things Twenty years after Odysseus has left homeTwenty years after Odysseus has left home  Trojan War started because Helen was kidnapped by Paris-Helen’s husband is Menelaus  Three Stories Telemachus-Odysseus’ sonTelemachus-Odysseus’ son Travels and adventure of OdysseusTravels and adventure of Odysseus Odysseus’ return to IthacaOdysseus’ return to Ithaca

7. The Odyssey  Odysseus’ difficulties when trying to go home  Trojan War = Greeks vs. Troy  Achaean (Greek) heroes return home after ten years of fighting a bloody war  Ten years after end of war (20 yrs total) The Odyssey begins- no one has heard anything about Odysseus  When Odysseus is away, many men begin to vie for his wife, Penelope

8. The Odyssey  Telemachus (Odysseus’ son) is twenty years old… he decides to look for his dad  Why is Odysseus traveling so much? Poseidon (God of the Sea) has punished himPoseidon (God of the Sea) has punished him

9. Part One  Homer pleads for the muse of poetry to help him tell the story  What is a muse?  Odysseus leaves Calypso’s island  Goes to Phaeacia-ruler’s name is Alcinous  Alcinous offers Odysseus a ship if he talks about his adventures  SOOO-Odysseus is talking most of the time in Part One

10. Part Two  Odysseus returns to Ithaca

11. Map of Odysseus’ Travels