Exploring Homer's The Odyssey: Epic Journey of Odysseus

1. The Odyssey Homer and the Epic: An Introduction

2. Homer • Exact date of birth not known, but is estimated to be about 850 BCE • Greek poet and writer of The Iliad and The Odyssey • Traditionally believed to have been blind • Some scholars believe that Homer was not one person, but rather a group of writers

3. The Iliad • Tells the story of the Trojan War • Takes place over 10 years • War between Troy and Greece over the kidnapping (or elopement) of Helen, wife of Menelaus (Menelaos) of Greece, by Paris, king of Troy • Legendary event believed to have taken place (if it did) around 1200 BCE • Central character is the legendary hero Achilles (Akhilleus)

4. The Odyssey • Tells the story of Odysseus’ trip back home from the Trojan War • Takes place over 10 years • Central character is Odysseus, king of Ithaka

5. Robert Fitzgerald • Comes closest to matching Homer in rhythm and epic scope • Poet and professor at Harvard until his death • Sought to preserve Greek spellings

6. Characters • Odysseus—our hero • Penelope—his wife • Telemakhos—his son • Athena—Greek goddess of wisdom and guide to Odysseus • Poseidon—Greek god of the sea and angered by Odysseus • The suitors—a group of men who try to get Penelope to marry them in Odysseus’ absence • Kirke—enchantress who imprisons Odysseus and his men • Polyphemos—the infamous Kyklops who tangles with Odysseus and his crew

7. Aiolos=Aeolus Akhaians=Achaeans Akhillieus=Achilles Alkinoos=Alcinous Antinoos=Antinous Ithaka=Ithaca Kalypso=Calypso Kharybdis=Charybdis Kikones=Cicones Kirke=Circe Kyklopes/Kyklops=Cyclopes/Cyclops Menelaos=Menelaus Polyphemos=Polyphemus Seirenes=Sirens Telemakhos=Telemachus Fitzgeraldian spellings

8. Allusions • An odyssey is a term used to describe a difficult or lengthy journey • James Joyce’s novel Ulysses (the Roman name for Odysseus) • O Brother, Where Art Thou • Music by Cream (“Tales of Brave Ulysses”), the Police (or Sting) (“Wrapped Around Your Finger”)

9. Why Read it? • At approximately 2800 years old, it’s one of the earliest works of literature. • It is so ingrained in our culture and literature that it is necessary to be familiar with it. • It’s a great introduction to epic poetry. • It’s one of the greatest adventure stories ever written.