1. An Introduction to The Odyssey

2. What are the essential questions for this unit?
What is an epic? What are the characteristics of an epic?
How can the Hero Journey Archetype be used to analyze The Odyssey?
How does The Odyssey connect to the real world or to our lives?
How does the journey prepare Odysseus to return home?

3. What is an epic?

4. What is an epic?
An epic is
1. A long narrative poem

5. What is an epic? An epic is . . . . 1. A long narrative poem
2. Using elevated or dignified language

6. What is an epic? An epic is . . . . 1. A long narrative poem
2. Using elevated or dignified language
3. Focused on a hero and the hero’s adventures

7. What is an epic? An epic is . . . . 1. A long narrative poem
2. Using elevated or dignified language
3. Focused on a hero and the hero’s adventures
4. The outcome of the adventures is important to the history of a people or nation.

8. What is usually true of an epic?
Setting is vast
Supernatural forces are involved
Hero is of imposing stature; actions require superhuman courage and valor

9. The Odyssey An epic from Ancient Greece
Passed down through oral tradition
Homer wrote it down probably around
1200 BC (400 years after the fall of Troy) .
Intended to teach (manners and customs)
Teaches about Greek hospitality, proper courting, and role models

10. The epic hero Odysseus .

11. The epic hero Odysseus
Strong brave warrior

12. The epic hero Odyssey
Strong brave warrior
King of Ithaka

13. The epic hero Odyssey Strong brave warrior King of Ithaka
Cunning; intelligent

14. The epic hero Odyssey Strong brave warrior King of Ithaka
Cunning; intelligent
Character Flaw=Hubris

15. The epic hero Odyssey Strong brave warrior King of Ithaka
Cunning; intelligent
Character Flaw=Hubris
Hubris- excessive pride;
thinking one is greater than the gods.

16. Key Elements Begins with the invocation of the muse
In media res- starts “in the middle of things” and then flashback to fill in the whole story.
Epithets-descriptive phrases that point to a characteristic of a person; becomes part of the person’s name in the epic.
Homeric similes
Repetition- lots of it

17. The Iliad and The Odyssey
The Iliad and The Odyssey were passed down orally
Homer wrote these two stories down
The Iliad is the prequel to The Odyssey; it focuses on the Trojan War and the great hero Achilles
Before we begin The Odyssey, you need to understand what happens before

18. Themes and Motifs Themes The hero and the hero journey
Civility versus savagery
Home
Good versus evil
Loyalty

19. Themes and Motifs cont. Motifs Father /son relationships Disguise
Greek Hospitality

20. The Structure Books 1-4 – “The Wanderings of Telemakhos”
Books 5-13 – “The Wanderings of Odysseus”
Books – “Odysseus’ Return to Ithaka”