The Odyssey Homer

No one knows who he is for sure Thought to be a blind minstrel from the island of Chios Some scholars think he is just a legend.

Epic The Odyssey is an epic poem. An epic –a long narrative poem –tells about the adventures of a hero –hero reflects the ideals and values of a nation or race –Setting was on a large scale (worldwide) –Supernatural beings took interest in events

Spreading of tales Epics were often told by rhapsodes or minstrels –These were people who traveled and sang tales –Tales were often of legendary events or figures –This was a form of entertainment and information –Stories were often told over a period of days

Retelling of tales The wording of many epics varied as each minstrel would make up the words on the spot. Minstrels used formulas to help the audience remember and to give them time to think of what to say next. –The formulas make some passages seem repetitive to modern day readers

Formulas There were formulas for such things as the arrival of guests, eating meals, taking baths. Homeric similes = comparison between a heroic or epic event to an everyday event

Homeric Simile When Athena prevents an arrow from striking Menelaus in the Illiad, the goddess’ actions are described as follows: –She brushed it away from his skin as lightly as when a mother / –Brushes a fly away from her child who is lying in sweet sleep

Ancient world At the time of the Odyssey, travelers and strangers were always treated kindly for it was always possible that it could be a god or goddess in disguise. The seats of honor were those closest to the host/ hostess One was to pay tribute to the gods before eating, drinking, going on a trip, etc.

Setting Supposedly written between 900 &700 B.C. Set in 1200 B.C Set after the Trojan War –Odysseus has still not gotten home from the war Audience would’ve been familiar with the details of the Trojan War

In the beginning The first line of the poem invokes the gods. Even the minstrels would still do such a thing. –Sing in me, Muse, and through me tell the story –Of that man skilled in all ways of contending... The nine Muses were daughters of Zeus who were said to inspire the arts including poetry, music, and dance.

While you read: Take notes –Names, places, major events Fill in the Names to Know –Put a page number and chapter to help you look back at when you 1 st met the char. Make a timeline –Story is not chronological