1. Introduction to The Odyssey by Homer

2. Myth
A traditional, typically ancient story, dealing with supernatural beings, heroes, and ancestors.
Myths are stories that shape the psychology, customs, or ideals of society

3. The Traditional Epic
The Epic Hero is superhuman – braver and stronger than ordinary people
There is some all-knowing or wise person who helps the protagonist (hero)
The story starts in the middle of the action in medias res and earlier events are introduced later on

4. Epics

5. The Traditional Epic (continued)
The setting is vast in scope – sometimes worldwide and even beyond
The hero is on a quest for something of great value to him or his people
The action of the epic involves heroic deeds and battle, often including a long journey or war

6. Epics

7. The Traditional Epic (continued)
The villains that try to keep the hero from his quest are uglier, more evil and more cunning than anything in ordinary life
The gods or other supernatural beings take an active role in the story
This means that they intervene and interact with the human characters

8. Epics

9. Archetype An image, pattern, or character type that occurs frequently
Found in current movies, books and songs
Recognizable in many times and cultures

10. The Epic Hero

11. The Epic Hero Great stature – larger than life
Possesses the character traits most valued by society (i.e. determination, courage, wit, wisdom)

12. The Epic Hero (continued)
Pursues his goal in the face of many setbacks
Has human traits and failings that make him seem like a real person (i.e. too curious, foolish, angry)

13. Epithets
Brief descriptive phrases
Characterizes a person or thing
Sometimes set off by commas
Used to help the person delivering the poem & listener better remember details
Task: Create an epithet for your own name. Consider what you like to do, who your parents are and what you are best known for.
Examples:
Ms. Heath, the teacher of children
Blue-eyed Ms. Heath
Ms. Heath, sarcastic of wit and avid reader

14. Epithets (continued) Examples of Epithets: The Strategist, Odysseus
Odysseus, master mariner
Grey-eyed Athena
Muse, daughter of Zeus
The ocean, the winedark sea
Rosy-fingered dawn

15. TASK:
Create an epithet for your own name. Consider what you like to do, who your parents are and what you are best known for.
Examples:
Ms. Flanagan, the teacher of children
Blue-eyed Ms. Flanagan
Ms. Flanagan, brown of hair and tall of stature

16. Epic Similes Also known as the Homeric Simile Uses like or as
Comparison between two things
An elaborate version of a regular simile

17. Epic Similes (continued)
Homer uses these similes for emphasis
Example: “Athena prevented an arrow from striking Menelaus. She brushed it away from her skin as lightly as when a mother brushes a fly away from her child who is lying in sweet sleep.”
What two things are being compared?

18. Epic Similes (continued)
Example: “And Odysseus let the bright molten tears run down his cheeks, weeping the way a wife mourns for her lord on the lost field where he has gone down fighting.” – Book 8
What two things are being compared?

19. Foreshadowing
When the story hints at something that could happen but the reader or audience doesn’t know for sure
In the Odyssey:
Circe’s warnings about the sirens, Scylla and Charibdys and the cattle of Helios
Check out the foreshadowing in this scene from Batman Begins! -

20. Dramatic Irony
When the reader or audience knows something that the characters don’t
In the Odyssey:
We know in Part I that Odysseus’s men will all die
Check out the dramatic irony in this scene from The Dark Knight!-