1. Before history books… Ancient Greeks turned to poets to hear stories of the past. These poets traveled from city to city singing or reciting long poetic epics in front of crowds These were partly memorized and partly improvised

2. 2 Epic Poems written in 725 B.C. by Homer, a blind poet The Iliad First written record of Greece Describes the events of 51 days during the last year of the war when Achilles kills Hector The Odyssey Describes the 10-year journey of Odysseus as he tries to go home to Ithaca after the Trojan War He and his men face monsters, giants, cannibals, temptation, and death

3. What is an epic??? Told orally, not written, recited from memory by minstrels (traveling entertainers) Long narrative poem Usually serious and formal based on history or legend Provide a portrait of a culture (beliefs, values, laws, and way of life)

4. What is an epic??? Takes place not here not now Supernatural forces usually involved Focuses on adventures and achievements of an epic hero

5. Epic Hero Represents values of a culture

6. Epic Hero Undertakes a difficult journey or quest

7. Epic Hero Has an unusual origin “You’re a wizard Harry!” “Even the smallest person can change the course of the future.” “Luke…I am your father.”

8. Epic Hero Has a special ability or weapon

9. Epic Hero Has friends and advisors to help him along the way

10. Epic Heroes Has a foil (antagonist who is both similar and different to the hero at the same time)

11. The Hero’s Journey 1.Departure: The Call to Adventure Refusal of the Call Supernatural Aid The Crossing of the Threshold The Belly of the Whale

12. The Hero’s Journey 2. Initiation The Road of Trials The Meeting with the Goddess Woman as the Temptress Atonement with the Father Apotheosis The Ultimate Boon

13. The Hero’s Journey 3.Return: Refusal of the Return The Magic Flight Rescue from Without The Crossing of the Return Threshold Master of the Two Worlds The Freedom to Live

14. Epic Conventions Invocation of the Muse: a plea to the Muse, goddess of poetry, for inspiration Noble subject: Subject of importance Apostrophe: turning aside from telling the story to comment; address to an absent or imaginary person Homeric/Epic Simile: long similes that compare extreme adventure with everyday events, usually many lines long

15. Epic Conventions In medias res: in the middle of things/action Action on three planes: heavens, earth, & underworld Epithet: nickname Deus ex machina: intervention by the gods/machinery Inflated forms of address: long speeches

16. Epic Conventions Heroes: embody the values of civilization and what the culture is Catalogues: long lists Processes: instruction manuals

17. Vocabulary Myths: traditional stories rooted in particular cultures that explain religious beliefs/values and explain natural occurrences Archetype: story, character, topic, or theme that represents a familiar pattern repeated throughout literature

18. Our Hero... ODYESSUES He is the king of Ithaca His wife is Penelope; his son is Telemachus His greatest supporter is Athena He was drafted to the war and was the brains behind the Trojan Horse Now that the war is over, it is time for him to return to Ithaca Here is where our adventure begins…

19. General Rundown Odysseus will take 10 years to sail from Troy to his home in Ithaca

20. He will face many creatures and gods that will make his journey difficult

21. His biggest problem is that he has made an enemy of the sea god, Poseidon He is traveling with hundreds of his men yet he will be the only survivor

22. Awaiting him in Ithaca… the beginning of the story. He has been gone 20 years His son, who was only a newborn when he left, is overrun by over 100 suitors that want to marry his mother They are eating through his livestock, ordering around the servants, and refusing to leave Athena arrives in disguise and convinces him to go look for information about his father