1. Homer’s The Odyssey

2. What do we already know about the Odyssey?

3. What do we want to learn about the Odyssey?

4. What is an Odyssey?

5. Your notes…

6. Who was Homer?
No…not this one!

7. Who was Homer? This one! Homer What did he contribute to literature?
Blind poet?
Recited the poems,
taught others
eventually recorded
Man?
What did he contribute to literature?
original plot structure
realistic (human) characters
set on earth
dialogue and detail
tales of monsters
used immortals; gave them human qualities, but remained respectful
theme: respect for gods is essential to survival

8. What is an epic? Epic Characteristics
a long narrative poem written on great and serious subject
describes values of a culture
Characteristics
Hero: national or cosmic importance
Setting: ample in scale—over countries or global
Action: based on action, often involves superhuman deeds or battle
Gods: Supernatural beings take interest or active part
Narration: uses formal speech to convey grandeur and formality of the heroic subject

9. What is the purpose of the epic?
Delivery
poems not written down
memorized by rhapsodies
both epics recited every 4 years at the festival of Athena
Epics based on Greek education
Purpose
Students learned
how to tell a story
portray a character
give a speech
express Greek ideals of thought and action
models for later writers

10. What is a Cultural Myth?

11. What can we add to our notes?

12. What role did Gods and Goddesses play?

13. Let’s review: what should we add to our notes?

14. Before we start reading… What happened before The Odyssey?
The Iliad:
considered the first great work of Western Literature
Achilles is the hero
Written between BC
Trojan War
Probable cause--economic
Troy controlled all trade through the area
Greeks wanted to expand the route
Legendary cause—Helen of Troy, wife of King or Sparta, was abducted by Paris; took years to develop army; fight 10 years; Troy lost

15. Still need fate vs. free will clip

16. Works Cited “Great Books: The Odyssey.” Discovery
Channel School unitedstreaming. 4 June
“Great Books: Homer's Odyssey.” Discovery Channel School unitedstreaming. 4 June