Introduction to

1. Introduction to The Odyssey

2. The story of the Odysseygrew out of Oral Tradition • Oral traditions explore universal themes such as: • The importance of heroism • The strength of loyalty • The power of love • The dangers of greed They also explore archetypes – recognizable people, situations, and images across different cultures and time.

3. Oral Traditions • The Hero’s quest – undergoes trials and tests • Struggle between protagonist and antagonist – often good versus evil • Monster – destroyed by the hero • Trickster – gets into trouble through his own actions • Historical/cultural setting – beliefs and customs that reflect time and place

4. How did Oral Traditions Spread? • Minstrel - both a historian and an entertainer. • Minstrels borrowed material from legends, epics, and myths already known by the people. • There was no written history, so stories were told repeatedly • Minstrels traveled from place to place singing of recent events or of the stories of heroes or gods & goddesses • Audiences never tired of the stories.

5. What is an Epic? • The oldest literary form or genre • A long story-poem involving: - larger-than-life heroes - a dangerous journey or quest -the fate of an entire race of people is often at stake - a struggle that the culture of the hero values - the gods and goddesses often take an active part in helping or hindering

6. Conventions of the Epic • Asks for the aid of a muse – one of the daughters of Zeus that inspires creativity • Uses epic similes – long comparisons, often several sentences • Elevated language, repetitive • Often begins in medias res (in the middle of things) – uses flashbacks to tell story • uses descriptions and phrases that were familiar to the audience called epithets, so that the speaker can catch his breath (e.g.“the great tactician” for Odysseus, and “the clear-eyed goddess” for Athena).

7. What is an Epic Hero? • Larger-than-life character • Possesses traits that are highly valued by his society • Represents a cause larger than himself • Traits revealed through his dialogue and actions

8. Who wrote The Odyssey? • The author was Homer. He was blind, and he was a minstrel. • He wrote 2 epics • 1. The Iliad - a war epic • 2. The Odyssey - a journey epic • They were written abut 800 B.C. and told about events that happened in 1200 B.C. • Homer outshone other minstrels of his day… • 1. Because of his originality of ideas • 2. Because of his expression and the effect he had on his audience.

9. The Illiad • Written between 900-700 B.C. • Covers the events of the Trojan War

10. The Trojan War (The Illiad) • Happened around 1200 b.c. – lasted 10 years • Legendary cause: romantic • Helen of Troy • True cause: economic • Trading routes

11. The Gods and The Trojan War • Gods and goddess intervened in the war • Respect for the gods was essential for survival • Gods and goddess wanted the Trojans to win • Odysseus: responsible for the fall of Troy  punished! (Trojan Horse Idea)

12. About The Odyssey • Odyssey = Epic Poem • It is one of the oldest and greatest works of literature • Tells the story of Odysseus’ trip back home from the Trojan War • Takes place over 10 years • Central character is Odysseus, king of Ithaca

13. What the heck is an “odyssey,” anyway?! • Odyssey • [od-uh-see] - • –noun • a long series of wanderings or adventures, esp. when filled with notable experiences, hardships, etc. • From dictionary.com

14. Setting • GREECE • 12th century b.c. (Bronze Age) why? • Aegean Sea and Ionian Islands • Journey from Troy to Ithaca

15. Begins in media res 3rd person omniscient narrator 24 books Non-linear plot (modern) Layout: The Telemachy Odysseus’ wanderings The Homecoming Structure of The Odyssey

16. Main Characters • Odysseus: A powerful and cunning warrior • Penelope: Odysseus’ faithful wife, smart and clever • Telemachus: the son of Penelope and Odysseus, grew up without his father

17. The Gods • Athena: the goddess of war and wisdom. She is Odysseus’s patron saint and watches over him and his son. • Poseidon: the god of the sea. He is Odysseus’ main immortal enemy because Oysseus’ men killed the god’s son. • Calypso: a minor goddess. She keeps Odysseus on her island and offers him immortality.

18. Other supernatural beings • Circe: a witch who turns Odysseus’ men into pigs. • Scylla and Charybdis: sailors have to sail through these two monsters, but to stay away from one you came close to another. • Polyphemus: a Cyclops that eats some of Odysseus’ crew

19. Other important characters • Antinous: one of Penelope’s suitors. He is very loud and the opposite of Odysseus. • Eumaeus: the helpful shepherd who shelters Odysseus when he returns. • Laertes: Odysseus’ father. He has been wasting away while Odysseus was gone, but regains his health when he returns. • Argus: Odysseus’ dog. He recognizes Odysseus upon his return.

20. Interpretation of The Odyssey • Can be read as a forerunner of the novel (emphasis on character and plot) • Can be read as every human’s struggle to overcome temptations and obstacles in their journey through life. • Taught to Greek youths in order to pass on cultural values and the beliefs of Greek society

21. Guidelines for reading an Epic • Become familiar with character and place names, but be aware that they may have different spellings depending on the translator. • Look for heroic characteristics; a hero is extraordinary and his adventures are grand! • Understand that Gods, goddesses, and other supernatural forces toy with the destiny of humans. They punish and reward human behavior.

22. More Guidelines for Reading an epic • Look for underlying cultural beliefs and values • Respect for deities • Code of hospitality • Notice EPIC CONVENTIONS: • Invocation • Lengthy speeches • Repetition • Epithets • Epic similes

23. "All journeys have secret destinations of which the traveler is unaware." — Martin Buber