A long time ago in a place far, far away… There was a man named Homer…

2. A long time ago in a place far, far away… There was a man named Homer…

3. …and his epic called the Odyssey

4. An Introduction to Homer’s Odyssey

5. Homer: The Man of Mystery

6. Who was HOMER? Homer was a blind minstrel (he told stories to entertain and to make his living); audiences had to listen carefully (this is “oral tradition” so there was a lot of repetition and improvisation used)

7. Other traveling poets (called rhapsodes) memorized and recited these epics in the banquet halls of kings and noble families

8. History is vague on Homer’s identity; some say he is just a legend, others say that a whole series of rhapsodes composed various parts of the epics • The epics were not originally written--the Greek alphabet didn’t appear until 725 BC

9. MYTH AND EPIC “Myth” is a story that uses fantasy to express ideas about life not easily done in realistic terms (it also stresses the relationship of human beings to a higher, spiritual realm)

10. The Epic

11. Characteristics of the Epic: • Long, narrative poem • Reflects values of a nation or race • Addresses universal concerns • Focuses on the adventures of a historical or legendary hero

12. 5. The supernatural plays an important role 6. Story is set in many locations 7. Hero against the odds – strong and courageous 8. Story is simple and written in formal language

13. Conventions of the Epic

14. Epithet • A brief descriptive phrase • Characterizes a person, place or thing • Gives story-teller a “breather” • Helps with rhyming or meter Examples: rosy-fingered dawn gray-eyed Athena The blue-maned god who makes the islands tremble Son of Laertes and gods of old, master mariner and soldier

15. Homeric Simile Compares epic events to everyday events So wand in hand he paced into the air, shot …down to sea level…A gull patrolling between the wave crests of the desolate sea will dip to catch a fish, and douse his wings

16. In Medias Res in the middle Odysseus' Timeline

17. Homer’s Epics (composed between 900 & 700 BC!) First there was… The Iliad

18. The Iliad • Primary model for the epic of war • Set in 10th and final year of the Trojan War • Achilles’ role and eventual end

19. After The Iliad (Aneidby Virgil) • Odysseus’ wooden horse trick • Greeks defeat the Trojans • Odysseus heads for home

20. The Odyssey Tales of Odysseus

21. The Travels of Odysseus

22. The Odyssey • Primary model for the epic of the long journey home

23. THE ODYSSEY • Meaning: a long journey with many adventures or a spiritual or intellectual quest • The word “odyssey” derives from the name Odysseus, the main character from the Odyssey (he is also referred to as Ulysses in classic literature)

24. The Odyssey Involves 3 Sets of Characters: • The Greek GODS • Humans • Supernatural monsters and creatures

25. Post War Trauma • Long, exhausting, brutal war • (10 years) • Odysseus heads for home with • nothing but ships and crew

26. The Odyssey A story told in 3 stages

27. PART ONE A story of what happens in Ithaca to Odysseus’ wife (Penelope) and son (Telemachus) as they await his return

28. PART TWO A story of Odysseus’ wanderings after the Trojan War (the war lasted 10 years and his wanderings lasted another 10 years!)

29. PART THREE A story of how Odysseus returns home to Ithaca and joins forces with his son to destroy his enemies

30. Why does it take Odysseus 10 years to get home? Read and find out!

31. Meanwhile…there’s trouble at home! • In Ithaca, Odysseus is suspected to be dead • Suitors have invaded the palace • Penelope, Odysseus’ wife, is in an awkward position and must trick the men into leaving her alone • Telemachus, Odysseus’ son, resents the imposing situation And so the epic begins…

38. Works Cited Althouse. 3/3/06. <www.althouse.blogspot.com> Auburn University. 3/4/06 .<www.auburn.edu> Clipart.com. 3/4/06. <http://schools.clipart.com/>