The OdysseyAn Epic Poem

What is an Epic Poem? Epic: a long narrative poem about a national or legendary hero.

HOMER Wrote The Iliad and The Odyssey

One of the best known Greek Poets He was possibly blind

What do these Epics focus on?

The Trojan War Fought when Paris kidnapped Helen from Sparta

The Iliad focuses on the war itself Named for the area in which it was fought, Ilium.

The Odyssey focuses on Odysseus’ trip home Focuses on both the gods and the mortalsNOT WRITTEN DOWN

Who is the hero? Odysseus (in Greek), also known as Ulysses (in Latin).

Odysseus Responsible for the fall of Troy

The Trojan Horse Angers the gods fighting on Troy’s side Takes him ten years to get home

The Odyssey11,300 lines long Three major plot strands

Story of Penelope, Odysseus’ wife, and Telemachus, his son

Story of Odysseus’ wanderings in his attempt to get home

Story of what happens when he does get home

Questions?