The Odyssey

1. The Odyssey Homer

2. The Epic Poem • Lengthy continuous narrative of the life and works of a hero, real or mythical • Hero: Fulfills what is good and noble with a willingness to sacrifice self for the greater good. • In literature, heroes may have tragic flaws that lead to their downfall.

3. The Odyssey • A Greek epic poem attributed to Homer • Written about 800-600 BC • Tells about the travels of the hero Odysseus after the fall of Troy • After the Trojan war, it takes Odysseus 10 years to return home

4. The Character of Odysseus • Cunningly intelligent • Ability to judge people and situations • Filled with wanderlust?

5. Major Players Achaeans: • Odysseus • Achilles • Ajax • Menelaus • Helen • Penelope • Telemachus • Agamemnon Trojans: • Paris • Hector • Priam • Hecuba

6. Judgment of Paris • Peleus and Thetis (parents of Achilles) were forced into marriage. • Eris , the goddess of discontent, was not invited to the ceremony. • Eris went anyway but did not bring a wedding gift. When she was stopped at the door by Hermes, she became outraged and threw a golden apple in the room.

7. “To the Fairest” • The golden apple was inscribed, “to the fairest.” • Hera, Athena, and Aphrodite all claimed the apple. • Zeus made Paris decide who would get the apple. • The goddesses all tried to bribe him. • Paris gave the apple to Aphrodite who offered him the love of the world’s most beautiful woman.

8. Paris Aided by Aphrodite • Paris chose love over wisdom, skill in battle, and political power. • He awarded the apple to Aphrodite. • When on a diplomatic mission to Sparta, he met and fell in love with Helen, the most beautiful woman alive.

9. Helen: The Face That Launched a Thousand Ships • A.k.a. Helen of Troy • Father: Zeus, king of the gods • Mother: Leda, mortal woman • Odysseus was one of many suitors, but she chose Menelaus • Odysseus may not have been as interested since he did not bring gifts.

10. Trojan War 101 • Waged against the city of Troy in Asia Minor, now Turkey • Paris, son of Priam and Hecuba of Troy, kidnapped Helen • People of Agamemnon—the Achaeans of Sparta—wage the war over Helen • Helen was wife of Menelaus, king of Sparta

11. The Kidnapping—War Begins • Aphrodite made Helen fall in love with Paris. • Menelaus received Paris as a guest of court • Paris violated the important law of hospitality by kidnapping Helen • Menelaus led troops to Troy where they fought for 10 years.

12. The Trojan Horse • Troy fell due to the trickery of the Trojan Horse filled with the Achaean warriors, led by Odysseus. • After sacking Troy, many Achaeans never returned to Ithica.

13. The War Lasts 10 Years • After the deaths of many Achaean (Ithica) heroes: Achilles and Ajax . . . • And after the deaths of many Trojan heroes: Hector and Paris . . .

14. The Odyssey: Odysseus’s Travels • Of all the gods, only Poseidon is angry with Odysseus • After being held captive for 7 years, Calypso finally releases Odysseus • His raft is wrecked, and he washes up on an island. • He is found by Nausicaa where he relates the story of leaving Troy

15. Upon Leaving Troy . . . • Odysseus and his 12 ships raided the Cicones • Visited the Lotus Eaters • Captured by the Cyclops Polyphemus

16. After the Cyclops . . . • All but one ship destroyed by the giant cannibals, the Laestrygonians • Visit Circe’s island—men turned to swine • Stayed here for a year

17. Circe Advised the Men . . . • How to avoid the Sirens • How to avoid Scylla • How to avoid Charybdis

18. On the Island Thrinacia • Odysseus’s men do not listen to the advice of Circe and kill the cattle of the sun god Helios. • They were punished by being shipwrecked. • Everyone died except Odysseus, who washed up on Calypso’s island.

19. Back at Home • Phaeacians help Odysseus back to Ithica • He pretends to be a beggar • Reunites with Telemachus • Tests Penelope • Penelope has a contest— stringing Odysseus’s bow • Suitors all killed by Odysseus • Odysseus reveals himself to Penelope