Homer’s Odyssey

An Introduction to the Epic & the Epic Hero

EPIC: a long narrative poem that tells the adventures of heroes who embody the values of

their particular civilizations.

The Epic Hero

Strengths:   Courage   Physical Strength   Cunning Intelligence   Unfailing Loyalty   Devotion to Duty   Champion of Freedom and

Justice

The Epic Hero

Flaws -Love of Glory

(pride) -> HUBRIS -Susceptible to Temptation/Doubt

The Hero’s Journey The Beginning 1. THE CALL TO ADVENTURE  2. REFUSAL OF THE CALL 3. MEETING WITH THE MENTOR  4. TESTS, ALLIES AND ENEMIES  Midway Through  1. THE ORDEAL 2. THE REWARD 3. THE ROAD BACK The Climax 1. THE RESURRECTION—the climax

Epics are

  Filled with action   Written in verse

(originally chanted or sung)

  Contain supernatural and noble characters

Epic Conventions

  Appeal to the muse   In medias res (in the middle of the action)   Elaborate (Homeric) similes   Extended formal speeches   Epithets: adj. or adj. phrase describing a

person; the art of a name

Homer

  Considered first known poet of Western Literature

  Blind   Could not read or write

(sang)   Composed The Iliad (750

B.C.) and The Odyssey (720 B.C.)

Homer’s Epics

Odyssey   24 books   Double Plot: Telemachus’s

search for his father; Odysseus’s

adventures in the 10 year journey

from the war

Iliad   Recounts the battles in

the last year of the 10 year war between the Greeks and the Trojans

  Heroes: Hector & Achilles

The Greek Gods

  Anthropomorphic   Interfere in human affairs

(take sides)   Disguise themselves as

humans to help, test, or hurt humans

  Actions more governed by emotions than morality

Zeus

  Ruler of the gods and goddesses of Mt. Olympus

Poseidon

  God of the Sea   Enemy to Odysseus;

tries to keep him from reaching home

Hermes

  The Messenger of the Gods

Athena

  Goddess of Wisdom and War

  Loves and helps Odysseus

Odysseus’s Journey