Homer, HEROES, and The Odyssey

1. Homer, HEROES, and The Odyssey

2. Homer • Ancient Greek epic poet • No reliable biographical information about him • May have lived around the time of the Trojan War OR 3 centuries later • Believed that he was a court singer and storyteller • Author of The Iliad and The Odyssey

3. Homer

4. Types of Heroes • Situation Hero: • A person who “saves the day” by completing a heroic act. • This person’s hero status may be celebrated, but only for a short period of time. • Epic Hero: • A hero has some unusual qualities that separate him from the average person. • In Greek mythology, a hero was often of divine origin, being the progeny of a deity. • A hero can be defined as a person who acts in a way that benefits the greater good of his society.

5. OTHER TYPES OF HEROES • Heroes fall into one of (or sometimes a combination of) three main archetypes or categories: • the Warrior, • the Scholar, • and the Saint.

6. The Warrior Hero • The Warrior archetype are those who in some way base their sense of hero-hood on strength. • This could be strength of purpose, physical strength, will power, endurance, perseverance, or some other form of strength

7. The Scholar • The Scholar archetype bases their sense of hero-hood on being 'smart'. • This could be founded in formal education, street-smarts, skills and abilities.

8. The Saint • The Saints base their sense of hero-hood in a desire to be (or be seen as) good. • This could be played out through formal religion or through doing things that are generally seen as "good."

9. The Tragic Hero • Noble birth • Well-liked • Tragic flaw (hamartia) • Downfall

10. The Odyssey • An adventure story • Odysseus • Journey home from Troy • Survival • Divine justice

12. Characters in The Odyssey • Odysseus - son of Laertes, king of Ithaca, hero of Trojan War, master of strategies • Eurylochus - second in command to Odysseus • Calypso • Athena • Poseidon • Hermes

13. Characters in The Odyssey • Lotus-eaters • Polyphemus - son of Poseidon, a Cyclops • Aeolus - keeper of the winds • Circe

14. Characters in The Odyssey • In the Underworld: • Hades – god of the Underworld • Teiresias - blind prophet • Agamemnon – commander in the Trojan War • Achilles – central character of The Illiad • Ajax – hero in the Trojan War • Heracles – (Roman=Hercules) Greek hero; paragon of masculinity

15. Characters in The Odyssey • Back in Ithaca: • Penelope - wife of Odysseus • Telemachus - son of Odysseus and Penelope • Antinous - principal suitor

16. Terms/Techniques to look for • Epic - long narrative poem or story about a hero • Reflects customs, habits, aspirations of a people • Hero’s legendary travels, over a long period of time • Muses - goddesses of the arts • Called upon by the author to help tell the story • In medias res - in the middle of things • Story starts in the middle, at hero’s lowest point

17. Terms/Techniques to look for • Deeds of valor (great courage) • Hamartia • A fatal flaw leading to the downfall of a hero • Hubris • Excessive pride or self-confidence • Supernatural forces – i.e. the gods • Repetition • What stock phrases do you see used again and again?

18. Roles of the gods • Determine human misery • Punish humans • Provide aid to humans • Deus ex machina • God from the machinery • An unexpected power or event saving a seemingly hopeless situation

19. JOSEPH CAMPBELL’S HERO JOURNEY HOW TO BECOME AN EPIC HERO

20. The Hero’s Journey • A hero’s journey can be divided into steps. • The journey is a single process and an individual adventure towards growth and transformation. • The sequence of elements and the duration of the experiences will vary from one person to another. • Remember that the journey is a process of separation, transformation, and return. • Each stage must be completed successfully if the hero-candidate is to become Heroic.

21. The Hero Journey (overview) • Separation or Departure (from the known) -The Call to Adventure -Refusal of the Call -Supernatural Aid -Crossing the First Threshold • Initiation and Transformation -The Road of Trials -Meeting with the Goddess -Atonement with the Father -Apotheosis -Ultimate Boon • The Return (to the known world) -The Refusal of the Return -Rescue from Without -Magic Flight -Crossing of the Return Threshold -Master of Two Worlds -Freedom to Live

22. The Separation & Departure • The Call to Adventure • The hero-candidate is “called” or offered the opportunity to face the unknown and gain something of physical or spiritual value. • He may choose willingly to undertake the quest, or we may be dragged into it unwillingly. • The hero-candidate is summoned by a HERALD or messenger.

23. The Call continued • The hero-candidate’s call to adventure may be a blunder (unintended mistake) which reveals an unsuspected world, and that individual is drawn into a relationship with forces that are not rightly understood. • Within this range The Call can take many forms: • something taken from the hero-candidate, his family, or society; the quest is to reclaim it, • Something is lacking in the hero-candidate’s life, and he must find what is missing, • Wants to save or restore honor to one’s self own, family, or country. • Something is not permitted to members of his society, and he must win these rights for his people.

24. Supernatural Aid • In most stories, the hero will have a guide, someone who is wise in the ways of the world, and someone who will offer the hero guidance and wisdom as he/she progresses through the journey.