Homer’s The Odyssey

An Ancient blind poet— Which is amazing! Who is Homer? An Ancient blind poet— Which is amazing! The man is credited for who composing the Iliad and the Odyssey between 900 and 700 B.C.

Editors, not Homer himself, organized the epics in 24 books. Homer did not compose each epic all at once: he told them in a series of short episodes that could be recited in an evening Amazing given that the original Greek version was over 12,000 lines Editors, not Homer himself, organized the epics in 24 books.

What exactly is an Epic?

The Epic… A long narrative poem that tells the adventures of a hero Used to teach virtues of a civilization or people—or even the basis of their creation!

Characteristics of an Epic A physically impressive hero (usually famous) A quest or journey A vast setting involving much of the known physical world Descent of the hero into the underworld Supernatural Forces Glorification of the hero at the end

Famous Epics from Around the World Iliad and Odyssey Greece Gilgamesh Sumeria Aeneid Rome Song of Roland France Divine Comedy Italy Mahabharata, Ramayana India Sundiata Mali

The Homeric Simile An embellishment using like or as The typical Homeric simile makes a comparison to some kind of event, in the form "like a ____ when it ______. Ex. But the man skilled in all ways of contending satisfied by the great bow's look and heft, like a musician, like a harper, when with quiet hand upon his instrument he draws between his thumb and forefinger a sweet new string upon a peg so effortlessly Odysseus in one motion strung the bow. Then slid his right hand down the word and plucked it, so the taut gut vibrating hummed and sang a swallow's note.

Heroes During Homer’s Time Heroes were a special class of people, in between gods and ordinary human beings. Some are actually part God A hero must exhibit both brains and brawn.

The Iliad Setting: 10th year of the Trojan War Greeks vs. Trojans during the final siege of the walls of Troy. Theme: War, Arete, Hubris http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zGFVTYn8Yvk Important Characters: Helen, the “face that launched a thousand ships.” Menelaus, Helen’s Greek Husband Paris, the prince of Troy Climax: Trojan Horse (Odysseus’s idea) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YbiR6IMf5KQ

The Odyssey Setting: 10 years after the end of the Trojan War Theme: The Long Journey Home, Temptation A Hero In trouble: Odysseus, a Greek soldier trying to find his way home to Ithaca People of Ithaca have forgotten about him His war-hero status is not important anymore— too much time has passed His son (Telemachus) and wife (Penelope) trying to fend off suitors—Also Heroes

The Role of the Gods The Gods are physical manifestations who interact with people Oftentimes they are manifestations of human traits or physical earthly phenomenon Athena—Goddess of Wisdom Poseiden—God of the sea and earthquakes Gods and Goddesses can either favor and help our heroes or they feel that they need to punish our hero http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2_5ayprT6LM

“In Medias Res” Means: “In the middle of a sequence of events” The Odyssey does not begin at the beginning; it starts with Telemachus at 20 years old trying to figure out what to do about his missing dad.