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Homer’s Odyssey

Homer’s Odyssey. Who was homer?. A Greek poet whose most famous works are the Iliad and the Odyssey He probably wrote these works during the 1100’s BC The life of Homer is a mystery Historians are not sure when or where he lived, or if he even existed

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Homer’s Odyssey

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  1. Homer’s Odyssey

  2. Who was homer? • A Greek poet whose most famous works are the Iliad and the Odyssey • He probably wrote these works during the 1100’s BC • The life of Homer is a mystery • Historians are not sure when or where he lived, or if he even existed • It could be that many people wrote these poems over generations and were collectedly called “Homer”

  3. The Odyssey Background • The Odyssey begins in medias res, or in the middle of things • The story begins with a sense of urgency • The Odyssey begins after the fall of Troy and takes one of the warriors and crafts the epic around his struggles • It tells the story of his journey home

  4. Epic poem a long narrative poem It contains adventure that includes extraordinary or super human deeds It has a central heroic figure (epic hero) The setting is vast - often covering the world Supernatural forces (Gods) are involved An elevated style is used (serious tone of voice) Purpose: to entertain, teach and inspire

  5. Qualities of an epic/epic hero - hero faces trials and enemies while struggling on an epic journey - the hero encounters “women as temptresses” who threaten his completion of the journey - at the end of the journey, the hero must complete a final task alone - after the final task is successfully accomplished, the hero returns home, a leader of his people

  6. What is a Myth? • Humanities earliest imaginative attempt to explain the universe, its creation, and working • A story created to portray values and to teach behavior • Usually involves supernatural or imaginary persons • It provides reassurance and meaning, and they are usually closely associated with religious beliefs • They explain the unexplainable

  7. The Purpose of cultural myths • Reveals the way of life and thought of that culture • Western civilization traces roots back to Greek culture • Where do we see myths today???

  8. The three fates controlled human destiny and life • Clotho – spins thread of life • sings of those that are • Lachesis – measures • sings of the things that were • Atropos – cuts the thread • sings about the things that will be • Fate=destiny

  9. mUSES – 9 daughters of Zeus & Mnemosyne • They inspired the arts • Clio • History • Euterpe • Lyric poetry & music • Thalia • Comedy • Melpomeme • Tragedy • Terpsichon • dance • Erato • love poetry • Polyhymnia • Sacred song & oratory • Calliope • Epic poetry • Urania • astronomy

  10. Athena Goddess of war and wisdom, arts and crafts Athena tried to solve everything peacefully (with wisdom) Her brother, Ares (god of war), son of Zeus & Hera, was the most hated of the gods Athena was Odysseus’ special protector. They were both a bit cunning.

  11. Hospitable – friendly and solicitous toward guests, new arrivals • VERY IMPORTANT TO THE GREEKS!!! • Zues demanded that strangers be treated graciously • One never knew when a god would come in disguise to visit • Violating or abusing the hospitality of a host was frowned upon Greek hospitality

  12. Definitions • nymph – minor female divinities beautiful, youthful spirits of nature • enchantress – a female who enchants (charms) by using magic • sorcerer/ess – magician, wizard • libation – drink offering to a god • odyssey – a long journey • epic – long, narrative poem with a hero • prophecy – prediction of the future • deity – another name for god/goddess

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