Homer’s The Odyssey Background Notes

Who is Homer?

No, not Homer Simpson…

An Ancient blind poet The “bard” who composed the Iliad and the Odyssey between 900 and 700 B.C.

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. 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

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

Heroes During Homer’s Time Heroes were a special class of aristocrats, in between gods and ordinary human beings. No matter what pain they may have experienced, they always displayed CONFIDENCE .

The Iliad Setting: 10th year of the Trojan War Greeks vs. Trojans Theme: War 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)

The Odyssey Setting: 10 years after the end of the Trojan War Theme: A Long Journey 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

“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.