1. Heroes, Mythology, The Trojan War, and Homer
Background information for The Odyssey

3. What is a HERO? What are some of the qualities of a hero?
Who are well-known heroes of our culture?
Who are some well-known heroes from history? Literature?
What is the difference between a hero and a role model?

4. What do you know about myths?
What is a Myth?
What do you know about myths?
What myths do you know?
Why do you know?
From where?

5. The Epic Hero Epic Hero Larger-than-life figure
An epic is a long poem about the deeds or adventures of gods or heroes.
Epic Hero
Larger-than-life figure
Undertakes a dangerous voyage
Demonstrates traits valued by society of epic (loyalty, honor, courage, etc.)
Balance of physical and intellectual abilities

6. What is an ODYSSEY?
Odyssey - a long wandering or voyage usually marked by many changes of fortune
The Odyssey comes to us from 1,000 years B.C.
The Odyssey and The Iliad form Western Literature’s first action adventure story

7. The Trojan War The Trojan War occurred around 1200 B.C.
In a beauty contest between Hera, Athena, and Aphrodite (three goddesses), Paris, Prince of Troy, judged Aphrodite the most fair after she promised him the love of the most beautiful woman in the world.

8. The Trojan War Continued…
Helen, wife of Menelaus of Sparta, was the one Paris had his eyes set on.
Paris “abducted” Helen and they were married in Troy.
As a result, Menelaus summoned a number of Greek generals to conquer Troy and get Helen back.
Two leaders, Odysseus and Achilles, were reluctant to go.

9. Odysseus was warned by an oracle that he would be gone for twenty years if he went to fight.
He feigned madness, but eventually went to fight for Greece.
Achilles, practically invulnerable as a fighter, was warned that he would gain great glory, but would die young. He also eventually consented to fight.

10. Homer’s The Iliad
The Iliad begins after the ninth year of the Trojan War. It tells the story of the the fall of Troy.

11. The Story Continues…
The Odyssey continues after the Trojan War and follows the Greek hero Odysseus on his way home.
The voyage should have taken two weeks, but instead took ten years.

12. Mythology
Myth: A fictional tale that explains the actions of gods or the causes of natural (unexplainable) phenomenon.
Elements of Myths:
Explain a certain phenomenon (Creation)
Lesson to be learned
Use of animals and other forms of nature to represent gods or the supernatural
Evidence can still be seen today
Based of beliefs, not facts

13. Mythology Continued… Origins of mythology:
Efforts of early people to explain the world about them
A form of history or science
Gods, or deities, of Mount Olympus represent:
Forces of nature (fire, water)
Nature of man (desire, ambition, jealousy)
All that is human is represented in the gods

14. The Impact
Homer’s works are the template of Western Literary tradition.
The Iliad - tragic drama
The Odyssey - the novel
The action adventure hero is still prevalent today!