Homer’s Odyssey

1. Homer’s Odyssey An Epic

2. What is an Epic? • An epic is a long narrative poem that tells of the adventures of heroes who in some way embody the values of their civilization.

3. Characteristics of an Epic • Epics usually include: • A physically impressive hero of national or historical importance, otherwise known as an epic hero • A vast setting involving much of the known physical world and sometimes the land of the dead as well • Action such as a quest or journey taken in search of something of value • Evidence of supernatural forces at work • Glorification of the hero at the end • A rootedness in a specific culture and society

4. The Iliad and The Odyssey • The background for The Odyssey is found in the Iliad. • Both epic poems, written by Homer, surround the Trojan War that took place as early as 1200 B.C. • The Iliad tells of a ten year war fought outside the city of Troy, over a woman-- Helen. • The Odyssey tells of one man’s long journey home from the Trojan War.

5. The Iliad • Tells of the Trojan War- fought between the people of Troy and an alliance of Greek kings. • The war was caused by jealousy: Helen of Troy, the world’s most beautiful woman, abandoned her husband, Menalaus, a Greek king, and ran off with Paris, a Prince of Troy.

6. The Odyssey • The Odyssey is about one man’s journey home to Ithaca from the Trojan war– Odysseus. • Odysseus, king of Ithaca, left home, after much persuasion, to fight with the Greeks in the Trojan War. • According to Homer, the epics’ alleged author, it was Odysseus who thought up the Trojan horse trick. • The Odyssey is about all of the things Odysseus encounters trying to get home from the war, after having been gone for 20 years.

7. Characters • Telemachus- Odysseus’ son was just a baby when Odysseus left for war. • Penelope- Odysseus’ wife has had to defend her home against would-be suitors who want to marry her and plunder Odysseus’ kingdom. • Circe- a witch

8. Greek Mythology in The Odyssey • Zeus- god of all gods • Poseidon- sea god • Polyphemus- cyclops, son of Poseidon • Calypso- a sea nymph • Hermes- messenger god • Athena- goddess of wisdom, protector of Odysseus

9. Odysseus: Epic Hero or Ego Trip? • Odysseus has many qualities of an epic hero. However, some people believe he was simply a man on an ego trip. • On his journey home, Odysseus lost all of his men and all of his ships– often through a mistake of his own. • Historians and scholars say that the trip home, from Troy to Ithaca, should have only lasted two weeks instead, it lasted 10 years.

10. Odysseus’ Journey