The Odyssey What is it besides being a Rollicking Great Story?

Myth, Folktale and Fable Fable :short tale to teach a moral lesson, often with animal s or inanimate objects as characters –The Tortoise and the Hare; Aesop's fables. Myth: a traditional story, esp. one concerning the early history of a people or explaining some natural phenomenon, and typically involving supernatural beings or events. –Echo and Narcissus; Greek Myth Folk Tale: a tale or legend originating and traditional among a people or folk, especially one forming part of the oral tradition of the common people –Paul Bunyan; American Folk Tale

What is this Odyssey you speak of? “Written down sometime between 800 and 600 BCE, the Odyssey is of the best known and most stupendously awesome works of ancient literature—make that any literature. Composed (maybe) by a poet named Homer (maybe), it tells the story of a man trying to make his way home from war. But not just any man, and not just any war. Its hero is Odysseus, who is basically the James Franco of Ancient Greece: smart, strong, attractive, brave, beloved by the gods, and way cooler than you are” (Shmoop.com). BTW – Odysseus is NOT cooler than you are, because you rock! But, he was pretty epic.

TheJourneyTheJourney

The Gods and Goddesses of Greek Mythology

The Odyssey’s Construction The Odyssey begins in medias res –the action begins in the middle of the plot –prior events are described through flashbacks or storytelling. Nearly all modern editions and translations of the Odyssey are divided into 24 books. –This division is handy but it is not original; it was developed by Alexandrian editors of the 3rd century BC. We will excerpts from the Odyssey, but not the entire work

Double Negatives Revise these sentences: Example: Many scholars cannot hardly believe that the Odyssey was written by Homer. Many scholars can hardly believe tat the Odyssey was written by Homer 1.These scholars cannot help not thinking that many poets contributed to the epic. 2.Scholars have no historical facts about Homer’s life; they have not but a few legends.

Themes in The Odyssey The Power of Cunning over Strength –Homer wrote the Iliad (which tells the story of the Trojan War) about strength. His sequel, the Odyssey, is about cunning (brain over brawn.) –Odysseus faces bigger, stronger foes Uses trickery Exploits stupidity –Penelope, Odysseus’s wife tricks the suitors, while waiting for her husband’s return. *Remember theme: lesson learned, implied main idea

Themes (Cont.) The Pitfalls of Temptation –Disobedience to the gods –Moral weakness leads to bad choices –Lack of self-control –Odysseus and the members of his crew: tempted by hunger to slaughter sacred animals tempted by the lotus eaters tempted by the Sirens –How will they fare, do you think?

Symbols Food: –Hospitality – welcome and eat! –Feasts are often the scenes for storytelling –Also Negative association: excessive eating represents lack of self-control, total absence of humanity Wedding Bed: –the constancy of Penelope and Odysseus’s marriage *Remember a Symbol is something that stands for something else

Motifs Storytelling: –Odysseus tells his story to his host –Telemachus, Odysseus’s son, hears stories of his father from heroes of the Trojan War Disguises: –From the first line of the epic, Homer explains that his story is about a “man of twists and turns” (1.1). –Quick, clever, and calculating, Odysseus is a natural master of disguise Seductresses/Enchantresses: –Circe and Calypso keep Odysseus from returning home –These women gain power through their charm *Remember Motifs are reoccurring symbols

Journal What trials must a hero go through to achieve their goal? What can happen on their journey to derail them? How would you welcome home a hero who had been on a journey? When finished, open your books to The Cyclops pg.

The Cyclops – Plot Diagram Conflict: Man vs. ______ Theme:

TOD What is the Cyclops like? Why is Odysseus able to beat the Cyclops? Questions/Comments

Parallel Structure Revise these sentences: Example: Of all the writings of ancient Greece, the Odyssey was probably the most popular, imaginative, and exerted the most influence. Of all the writings of ancient Greece, the Odyssey was probably the most popular, imaginative, and influential. 1.The story begins with Odysseus’ imprisonment by Calypso, switches back to the scene at his palace in Ithaca, finally returning to his adventure-filled wanderings. 2.The story combines realistic accounts of life in ancient Greece, fairy tales about imaginary lands, and includes elements of historical events.

Plot Freytag’s Pyramid  Foreshadowing: an advance sign or warning of what is to come in the future Flashback: a scene set in a time earlier than the main story

Foreshadowing or Flashback?

The Cyclops: Oh Brother, Where Art Thou? /watch?v=IZocpwWLsyEhttps:// /watch?v=IZocpwWLsyE BookMovie

Quick Write Using your venn diagram, write 3-5 sentences summing up the differences and similarities in the movie and the book. Which version do you prefer? Why? When you are finished, turn to The Sirens in your book pg.

The Sirens

Scylla and Charybdis

TOD Who are the Sirens? Who are Scylla and Charybdis? What is the difference between a flashback and foreshadowing? Comments/Questions

Quick Write Write the definition of an archetype in your own words. Why is an archetype universal? When you are done, turn to The Cattle of the Sun God in your book pg.

TOD Why does Helios get angry with Odysseus’s men? Use 2 of your vocab words in 1 sentence about the Odyssey. Comments/Questions

Quick Write An allusion is a reference to a seminal work, such as the Bible or Shakespeare’s plays. Why would someone choose to make these references? What references do you make when talking to people?

The Cave HYa6Ihttps:// HYa6I

TOD What is an allusion? What do you still need to work on for the Mythology project (rule book, board, literary terms, research)? Questions/Comments HW: Study guide for 9 weeks exam!

Quick Write Penelope is a faithful wife to Odysseus, although he has been gone for 20 years. Can you think of anything you would wait 20 years for? Is Penelope crazy for hoping for her husband’s return after so long? When you are finished, turn to your textbook (green) pg “An Ancient Gesture”

Penelope Odysseus’ Faithful Wife

Penelope Background Crafty like Odysseus, her husband 108 suitors want to marry her and take over Odysseus’s lands (well, he’s been gone 20 years!) Weaves a burial shroud for Laertes (Odysseus’s father) every day and unravels it at night. “Oh! I can’t pick a suitor until this burial shroud is finished!”

Compare/Contrast Guiding Questions What is the structure of each poem? (sentence length, rhyme, punctuation, etc.) What kind of wife is Penelope in each poem? What is her role? What is her main job? What is the tone in each poem?

Characterization Foldables ProtagonistMain CharacterPicture/example AntagonistOpposing ForcePicture/example FlatOne characteristic Picture/example RoundMany characteristics Picture/example StaticDoes not changePicture/example DynamicChangesPicture/example

TOD What is the difference between a static and dynamic character? What is the difference between a flat and round character? Is the protagonist usually flat or round? Is the protagonist usually static or dynamic? HW: Read the Odyssey up to book 16 (Odysseus meets his son, Telemachus, and they return home) Activity to replace tomorrow’s test.

Odysseus Returns 108 Suitors - he’s a bit outnumbered Again uses his craftiness –Athena disguises him as a beggar Penelope suspects –Arranges a test

Argus Odysseus’ Faithful Dog

Argos and Odysseus His dog knows him, even in beggar’s clothes. Odysseus passes by, but sheds a tear.

How’s it going to end? Can Odysseus win back his wife and his kingdom?

Quick Write –Compare the setting in the Odyssey to today’s setting. What is Odysseus’s world like? Compare it to the American South. What are some similarities and differences? –What are modern equivalencies for the Lotus Eaters? The Sirens? Argus? Etc. –When Finished, turn to “Ithaca” in the textbook pg. 1

TOD How does Odysseus get back to his home without anyone knowing it is him? How does Odysseus react to his loyal dog, Argus? What do these two things tell you about Odysseus’s character? HW: Mythology Game

TOD Cast your votes for the best game! HW: Study Vocab

Themes in More Depth Hospitality, Reputation, Revenge, Power

Sites Cited Farrington, Crystal. The Odyssey. 9 Oct Phillips, Brian and Hunter, James. SparkNote on The Odyssey. 9 Oct The Trojan War—An Illustrated Companion. 9 Oct