1. I Need a Hero! Mrs. Larson

2. We will be reading one of the greatest masterpieces of epic poetry…. The Odyssey

3. THREE facts about The Odyssey: #1 It was composed in Greece around 750- 725 B.C.

4. #2 The Odyssey is credited to a blind poet named Homer Not this one

5. #3 The epic poem survived due to oral tradition- generations later it was written down Oral tradition: a way for a society to pass down stories across generations without a writing system

6. About the Author Scholars debate whether Homer really existed His epics became models for many later writers throughout English literature Homer’s poems have also influenced more modern work – O Brother, Where Art Thou? – Troy

7. Homer’s Life and Times 8 th and 7 th Century B.C. Greece Oral tradition of storytelling The “Iron Age” - a time when iron tools were invented as archeologists have determined

8. Epic Epic poem : a long narrative poem which tells about the deeds of a great hero and reflect the values of society from which it originated

9. Epic Poems Epic setting : – Includes fantastic or exotic lands – Involves more than one nation Epic theme topics: – Courage – Loyalty – Life and death – The fate of a nation

10. Epic Archetypes: characters, situations, and images that are recognizable in many times and cultures – Sea monster – Buried treasure – Epic hero – Wicked temptress – Loyal servant

11. Epic Plot Involves a long journey Filled with complications Strange creatures Divine interventions Large-scale events Treacherous weather

12. Odysseus is the EPIC HERO

13. What is an epic hero ? Larger than life character Has superhuman qualities such as amazing strength and stamina Is of noble birth Acts on behalf of his people Exhibits the values of his culture

14. The Trojan War The earliest accounts of The Trojan War are found in The Odyssey Odysseus, ruler of the island of Ithaca, helped to end the war by ordering a giant wooden horse to be taken to Troy The Trojans allowed the horse through their gates, unaware of the Greek soldiers hiding inside

15. The Trojan War The Trojans were people from ancient Troy (Turkey) The Trojan War was fought between the Trojans and the Greeks over the beautiful maiden Helen…

16. Odysseus’ Adventures The first passages we will read depict some of the wanderings of Odysseus after his departure from Troy Instead of battles with soldiers, Odysseus encounters… – Various monsters who try to devour him – Women that try to keep him from his wife. In the end, Odysseus goes home and reunites with his family

18. Roles of Gods and Goddesses Odysseus’ travels contain some notable instances of divine intervention – Athena is on his side and helps him – Gods that sided with Troy were displeased with him – He angers Gods during his adventures and is forced to suffer many hardships

19. Mt. Olympus The Gods and Goddesses of Greek mythology lived on Mt. Olympus above the city of Athens. They were immortal, and they all stood for something that existed in nature. (For example, Apollo is the God of the Sun) Many of the Gods had faults, illegitimate children with mortals, and affairs!

20. Roles of Monsters The Greeks believed in monsters and strange creatures, as well as Gods and Goddesses – Cyclops: one-eyed giant – Sirens: part bird and part woman creatures that would sing and lure sailors to their deaths