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The Odyssey

The Odyssey. Everything You Need to Know to Take on the Big Book. The Odyssey. What is it? An epic poem (epic = BIG) Tells the story of a heroic soldier and his journey home (odyssey = journey) Originally recited out loud to audiences for hours on end! Who composed it? Homer. Homer.

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The Odyssey

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  1. The Odyssey Everything You Need to Know to Take on the Big Book

  2. The Odyssey What is it? • Anepic poem(epic = BIG) • Tells the story of a heroic soldier and his journey home (odyssey = journey) • Originally recited out loud to audiences for hours on end! • Who composed it? Homer

  3. Homer • Homer’s epic poems have been recited, studied, and memorized countless times since their creation 2,700 years ago! • We know almost nothing about the poet himself. • It was probably not Homer, but one of his listeners who preserved his poems by writing them down. • Homer was also blind.

  4. The story of homer (Learn 360 streaming video)

  5. How Did Homer Write? • Homer based the Odyssey on ancient Greek myths(more on this later!) • He began the Odyssey with an Invocation:an opening prayer to the muse (goddess of inspiration), asking for help to tell his story. • He told his story in medias res:“in the middle of things”; the reader is plunked down in the middle of the action, and the poet catches you up on what happened before. • We meet Odysseus in the middle of his voyage, and then we hear about what happened at the start of his voyage later.

  6. How Did Homer Write? • He uses Homeric Epithets: descriptions of characters or places that are used over and over again.They made the poem easier to understand back in the day when it was recited out loud. • He used epic similes: a LONG comparison between 2 things that seem unalike; uses the words “like” or “as.”

  7. Imagination + Real life = Greek Mythology • The Greeks believed that for every human activity and natural event, there was a god-force in charge; thus, keeping the gods happy was very important! • Amythexplained a basic truth about life and nature, using gods and goddesses as characters.

  8. The Olympians • A group of 12 ruling gods/goddesses • Named after their dwelling place, Mount Olympus

  9. Zeus • Chief ruler of the gods • In charge of thunder, lightning, and the weather • Woman-crazy; easily angered • Carried a thunderbolt wherever he went

  10. Hera • Zeus’ wife, queen of the universe • She protected women, but could also be extremely jealous • The word “hera” is the feminine form of the word for “hero.”

  11. Hestia • Zeus’ sister • Goddess of the hearth (home) • Present wherever there was fire • Stayed out of the other gods’ quarrels; instead, she concentrated on helping people in their homes.

  12. Poseidon • Zeus’ brother • God of the sea and earthquakes • Carried a trident (a spear with 3 prongs) • Proud and vain; could create a brutal storm at sea—which he did when anyone slighted him!

  13. Hades • Zeus’ brother • God of the underworld • Guarded the dead, never allowing them back on Earth • Owned the world’s most precious gems and metals

  14. Ares • Son of Zeus • God of war • Not well-liked or trusted by the ancient Greeks • Little to no myths about him exist

  15. Apollo • God of the sun, light, truth, archery, music AND healing • Carried a bow and arrow • Wise, reasonable, talented and intelligent

  16. artemis • Apollo’s twin sister • Goddess of the moon, the hunt, and witchcraft • Also carried a bow and arrow

  17. Aphrodite • Goddess of feminine beauty • Symbols include a seashell, dove, or swan • Emotional and romantic • Son was Cupid

  18. Demeter • Goddess of plants and the harvest • Devoted and loyal, hardworking and sensible

  19. Hermes • Zeus’ nephew • A jokester • Fast-talking and fast-moving • The messenger of the gods • Wore winged sandals • Often stood up for mortals when they were in trouble

  20. Athena • Zeus’ daughter; in fact, she was born full-grown out of Zeus’ head! • Goddess of wisdom, law, and war • Intelligent, reasonable, and level-headed • She helped the Greeks win the Trojan War by offering comfort and guidance to the Greek soldiers • Plays an important role in the Odyssey

  21. The Muses • 9 daughters of Zeus • The word “muse” means to inspire • In charge of different sciences and arts, including music, poetry, history, etc.

  22. The Odyssey Setting: Ithaca, Greece --Odysseus’ hometown --considered one of the safest and most beautiful harbors in all of Greece

  23. The Illiad: Homer’s first epic poem, about a war between the Trojans and the Greeks. According to legend, this war began after Paris, a prince of Troy, kidnapped Helen—the most beautiful woman in the world—from her husband, Menelaus, the king of Sparta. Menelaus then recruited kings and soldiers from all over Greece to help him avenge his honor and recover his wife. Odysseus, the king of the island of Ithaca, was one of many Greeks who sailed to Troy and besieged the walled city. The Story

  24. The STORY • For ten long years the Greeks battled the Trojans without succeeding in conquering them. Luckily, Odysseus (“the master strategist”), thought of a plan to the deceive the Trojans into thinking that the Greeks had abandoned the struggle. • Odysseus ordered that a giant wooden horse be built and left at the gates of Troy at night. • The Trojans, waking to find it there—and not a Greek in sight—assumed that their enemy had fled and left them a peace offering. • They took the horse inside the city, only to discover, too late, thatit was filled with Greek soldiers and that Troy was DOOMED.

  25. The Trojan Horse

  26. Characters: Odysseus • Greek hero—the wiliest (most clever) of Greek heroes • King of Ithaca • Son of Laertes • Inventor of the Trojan Horse • Good looking, strong, and smart

  27. Characters: Penelope • Wife of Odysseus • Queen of Ithaca • Object of desire for every nobleman of the land (the suitors) • Strong and intelligent (by ancient Greek standards)

  28. Characters: Athena • Remember: goddess of wisdom • She helps Odysseus do everything from winning favors to devising plans to not dying to looking good!

  29. Calypso King Alcinous Circe Zeus The Cicones The Lotus Eaters The Cyclops (a.k.a. Polyphemus) Apollo Poseidon Antinous Eurymachus Telemachus Aeolus The Laestrygones Eurylochus Hermes Persephone Tiresias The Sirens Scylla Charybdis Helios Eumaeus Philoetius Eurycleia Other characters

  30. Theme #1: There’s no place like home. • Odysseus’ journey is a tale of going home again. He needs to get home before the suitors claim his wife and his wealth. • It has taken him 10 years to get through the Trojan War, and 10 years to make it back to Ithaca.

  31. Theme #2: perseverance can bring great rewards. • Determination is a virtue in all the major, admirable characters in the epic and takes form in different ways, from physical endurance to emotional steadfastness.

  32. Theme #3: Pride can be both destructive and constructive. • If Odysseus has one flaw, it is his pride. The hero can’t take an insult lying down and insists on flaunting his victories even once challenges or battles have passed. • Odysseus is often justified in showing his pride because he has the goods – muscle, courage, and an honorable name – to back it up.

  33. The End

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