The odyssey

1. The odyssey Background information

2. Who wrote The Odyssey? • Author- Homer, a blind minstrel or bad. • Wrote 2 epics- long, narrative poems • The Iliad: a war epic • The Odyssey: a long journey epic • Written about 800 B.C.- told about events that happened in 1200 B.C.

3. Homer • Minstrel: an entertainer who told stories and sang songs. Also called a bard, rhapsode, epic singer, or song stitcher. Both historian and entertainer. • Minstrels borrowed material from legends, epics, and myths already known.

4. Minstrel • Used descriptions and phrases were familiar to the audience called epithets(e.g. “wing’d words,” “rosy-fingered dawn,” “grey-eyed Athena”) • Made stories as uncomplicated as possible.

5. Minstrel • Stories were told repetitively • There was no written history • Minstrels traveled from place to place singing of recent events or of the stories of heroes or gods and goddesses • Audiences never tired of them.

6. Homer D. Homer outshone other minstrels of his day … • because of his originality of ideas • because of expression and the effect he had on his audience.

7. The Illiad • The Iliad tells of the war between Greece and Troy (located in Asia Minor or the present day country of Turkey). It provides the background for The Odyssey and background on Odysseus. • Lasted 10 long years.

8. The Illiad • Events of the Trojan War: • Possibly began because Greeks tried to control trade routes • According to myth: Paris, a prince of Troy, kidnapped Helen, queen of Sparta an wife of Menelaus, king of Sparta (a Greek city-state).

9. The Illiad • The Greek kings banded together and sent armies in 1,000 ships across the Aegean Sea to attack Troy. (Helen is known as “The face that launched a thousand ships”). • Gods and goddesses took sides in the war. • For nine years there was no victory. • Finally, Odysseus devised a plan: the Trojan Horse

10. About The Illiad • The Greeks conquered Troy; the Trojans were slaughtered and the city was destroyed. • The Greeks set out for home in their ships. • Many gods and goddesses were offended when Greeks desecrated temples and did not make offerings.

11. The Odyssey • The Odyssey - Epic poem of the long journey. Greek audiences would have known the war story of TheIliad and been familiar with Odysseus as a hero from that story that came up with the idea that ended the war. • The Odyssey tells of many adventures of Odysseus trying to sail home (to Ithaca) after the Trojan War.

12. The Odyssey • It took 10 years for him to sail home. • Main characters: • Odysseus (Ulysses): super-human hero from Ithaca. • Penelope: Odysseus’ wife • Telemachus: Odysseus’ son

13. The Odyssey D. Primary gods and goddesses in the epic • Athena: goddess of wisdom • Poseidon: god of the sea • Zeus: king of the gods

14. The Odyssey • The epic • Oldest literary form or genre • Long story-poem involving the following: • A great hero having super-human qualities (but not “super powers”). • The gods and goddesses take an active part in helping or hindering (e.g. Poseidon is Odysseus’ enemy and Athena helps Odysseus).

15. Epic • The fate of an entire race of people is often at stake. • Heroes found their greatest glory in battle. • It involves a struggle that the culture of the hero values. • The hero embodies the values of their culture. • Greeks used The Iliad and The Odyssey to teach Greek culture and values.

16. Epic • Written in elevated style (formal) • Begins with an invocation (a prayer to the muse of poetry) a. Muses: 9 daughters of Zeus who were in charge of the arts. (Calliope was the muse of epic poetry.)

17. Intermission  • Today you will be assigned a group number and book number for the Odyssey project

18. Group 1 • Books 9: “Poseidon’s Son” • Pages 896-914 • Members: • n

19. Group 2 • Book 10: “The Grace of the Witch” • Pages 916-925 • Members: • n

20. Group 3 • Book 12: “Sea Perils and Defeat” • Pages 928-937 • Members: • n

21. Group 4 • Book 21: “The Homecoming” • Pages 944-954 • Members: • n

22. Group 5 • Book 22 & 23: “Death in the Great Hall” and “The Trunk of the Olive Tree” • Pages 955-964 • Members: • n

23. Day 2 The Odyssey Background information

24. Classical Mythology • Greek and Roman mythology • Polytheists: they believed in many gods • Gods had many human qualities • They were conniving • They were quarrelsome • Many of the gods lived on Mt. Olympus

25. Classical Mythology • Ambrosia: the food of the gods • Nectar: the drink of the gods • Gods interfered in human affairs • Gods were immortal: they lived forever

26. Classical Mythology • Greek values and beliefs • Greeks believed it was wrong for any man to have hubris • The character of a man was very important • One important quality to have was courage • Loyalty to both home and family was the most important

27. Classical Mythology • Man was not master of his own destiny or fate, he was like a “pawn in a chess game.” • Man could not control his own fate, but he could control how he reacted to the gods’ interfering or meddling (how someone reacted was an important character quality).

28. The Bronze Age • Greek life during the Bronze Age (1200 B.C.) • It was an era ruled by tribal chiefs • It was a violent life in hard times • C. Greece consisted of small city-states • Ithaca: Odysseus’ home was an island city-state • Athens (named after Athena) was a larger city-state

29. The Epic Hero • The characteristics of an Hero are: A. He possesses supernatural abilities or qualities. • He is charged with a quest. • He is tested, often to prove the worthiness of himself and his quest. • He receives help by divine beings along the way.

30. The Epic Hero • He encounters numerous mythical beings, magical and helpful animals, and human helpers and companions. • His travels take him to a supernatural world, often one that normal human beings are barred from entering.

31. The Epic Hero • He reaches a low point where he nearly gives up his quest or appears defeated. • He gains restitution: this often takes the form of the hero regaining his rightful place.

32. Homework • Paste these pages into your interactive notebook. • Review these notes • Add questions to the left hand column. (minimum of 10)

33. Video Intro • View the video clips provided to gather background information in preparation for the reading • At the close of the viewing, be prepared to answer the following questions: • How does Homer’s epic story portray the human condition and timeless human challenges? • What does The Odyssey reveal about ancient Greek culture? http://player.discoveryeducation.com/index.cfm?guidAssetId=26EE7091-F098-4C84-AC54-10BA664C5704&blnFromSearch=1&productcode=US

34. Background • In the tenth year of the Trojan War, the Greeks tricked the enemy into bringing a colossal wooden horse within the walls of Troy. The Trojans had no idea that Greek soldiers were hidden inside, under the command of Odysseus. • That night they emerged and opened the city gates to the Greek army. Troy was destroyed. Now it was time for Odysseus and the other Greeks to return to their kingdoms across the sea. • Here begins the tale of the Odyssey, as sung by the blind minstrel Homer.

35. What makes a hero? • Get together with a partner to brainstorm a word web. On the left side, jot down qualities that you think would be helpful to a hero, such as physical strength. Then, on the right side, jot down qualities that you think might hinder a person from being an effective hero. Keep these qualities in mind as you read first part of the Odyssey.