2. An epic poem by Homer

3. The Odyssey Epic poem composed by the Greek poet Homer between 900-700 B.C. (B.C.E.) Main hero is Odysseus (Latin name Ulysses) Adventure story about Odysseus’s voyage home after the Trojan War Sequel to The Iliad, an epic poem also by Homer

4. Homer?

5. Who the heck was Homer? No one knows Supposedly a blind, illiterate storyteller Rhapsode: a person who recited the epic poems of ancient Greece from memory

6. What the heck is an epic poem?  A long narrative poem that tells the bold deeds of a great hero  Contains supernatural events, long time periods, distant journeys, & struggles between good & evil

7. Characteristics of an epic poem: Begins with an “Invocation to a Muse” The Muses were 9 goddesses in charge of literature & art Daughters of Zeus who inspired poets, musicians, & artists

8. Epic poems contain... Epic similes a.k.a. Homeric similes Elaborate comparisons of unlike subjects Example from The Odyssey: “Think of a catch that fishermen haul in to a half-moon bay In a fine-meshed net from the whitecaps of the sea: How all are poured out on the sand, in throes for the salt sea, Twitching their cold lives away in Helios’ fiery air: So lay the suitors heaped on one another”

9. Epic poems contain... Epithets Adjectives or descriptive phrases expressing a characteristic of a person or thing Examples from The Odyssey: “gray-eyed Athena” for Athena, goddess of wisdom “Laertes’ son” for Odysseus “The Wanderer” for Odysseus “Penelope’s true son” for Telemachus

10. What is an epic hero? A main character w/ supernatural abilities or qualities (god-like) Possesses traits that embody the ideals of his people (strength, wisdom, courage) Undertakes a dangerous voyage or quest, during which he encounters many supernatural beings Often visits a supernatural world where regular mortals cannot go

11. Odysseus King of Ithaca Trojan War veteran Member of Achaean (Greek) army Devoted husband to Penelope Father to Telemachus Famous for his cleverness & cunning

12. The Trojan Horse

14. Characters in The Odyssey Deities (gods & goddesses)

15. Zeus Ruler of the gods God of thunder, rain, & lightning Husband of Hera (his sister) Fathered many immortals & mortals

16. Athena Virgin goddess of wisdom & warfare Born from the head of Zeus Supported the Achaeans in the Trojan War

18. Poseidon God of the sea, earthquakes, & horses Brother of Zeus Hates Odysseus for blinding his son, the Cyclops Polyphemus

19. Hermes Messenger to the gods Son of Zeus and Maia God of fertility & guide for souls to the Underworld

20. Supernatural beings encountered by Odysseus Polyphemus Circe Scyllathe SirensCalypso

21. Odysseus’ family Wife Penelope, who has been waiting 20 years for Odysseus to return Son Telemachus, who was a baby when Odysseus left