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The Odyssey. An epic poem by Homer. The Odyssey. Epic poem composed by the Greek poet Homer between 900-700 B.C. (B.C.E.) Main hero is Odysseus (Latin name Ulysses) Adventure story about Odysseus’s voyage home after the Trojan War Sequel to The Iliad , an epic poem also by Homer. - PowerPoint PPT Presentation
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An epic poem by Homer
The Odyssey Epic poem composed by the Greek poet Homer between 900-700 B.C. (B.C.E.)Main hero is Odysseus (Latin name Ulysses)Adventure story about Odysseus’s voyage home after the Trojan War Sequel to The Iliad, an epic poem also by Homer
Who was Homer?No one knowsSupposedly a blind, illiterate storytellerRhapsode: a person who recited the epic poems of ancient Greece from memory
What is an epic poem? A long narrative poem that
tells the bold deeds of a great hero, which tells the story of a people at the same time.
Often contains supernatural events, long time periods, distant journeys, and struggles between good and evil.
Characteristics of an epic poem:Begins with an “Invocation to a Muse”The Muses were 9 goddesses in charge of literature & artDaughters of Zeus who inspired poets, musicians, & artists
Epic poems contain . . .
Epic similesa.k.a. Homeric similesElaborate comparisons of unlike subjects
Example from The Odyssey:
“Think of a catch that fishermen haul in to a half-moon bay
In a fine-meshed net from the whitecaps of the sea:
How all are poured out on the sand, in throes for the salt sea,
Twitching their cold lives away in Helios’ fiery air:
So lay the suitors heaped on one another”
Epic poems contain . . .Epithets
Adjectives or descriptive phrases expressing a characteristic of a person or thing
Examples from The Odyssey:“gray-eyed Athena” for Athena, goddess of wisdom“Laertes’ son” for Odysseus“The Wanderer” for Odysseus“Penelope’s true son” for Telemachus
What is an epic hero?A main character w/ supernatural abilities or qualities (god-like)Possesses traits that embody the ideals of his people (strength, wisdom, courage)Undertakes a dangerous voyage or quest, during which he encounters many supernatural beingsOften visits a supernatural world where regular mortals cannot go
OdysseusKing of IthacaTrojan War veteranMember of Achaean (Greek) armyDevoted husband to PenelopeFather to TelemachusFamous for his cleverness & cunningWins the war against Troy with the Trojan Horse Strategy.
Characters in The Odyssey
Deities(gods & goddesses)
ZeusRuler of the godsGod of thunder, rain, & lightningHusband of Hera (his sister)Fathered many immortals & mortals
AthenaVirgin goddess of wisdom & warfareBorn from the head of ZeusSupported the Achaeans in the Trojan WarPatron of Odysseus
PoseidonGod of the sea, earthquakes, & horsesBrother of ZeusHates Odysseus for blinding his son, the Cyclops Polyphemus
HermesMessenger to the godsSon of Zeus and MaiaGod of fertility & guide for souls to the Underworld
Supernatural beings encountered by Odysseus
Polyphemus Circe
Scylla the Sirens Calypso
Odysseus’ familyWife Penelope, who has been waiting 20 years for Odysseus to returnSon Telemachus, who was a baby when Odysseus left
Vocabulary from The Odyssey Part 1
Din: a loud, continuous noise
Disperse: to scatter or spread
Lucid: clear & easy to understand
Broach: to raise (a sensitive or difficult subject) for discussion
Pine: to long for something or someone
Insolence: state of being rude or impertinent
Lavished: gave in a generous way
Prudent: wise & cautious
Pondered: considered carefully
Harmonious: agreeing in a friendly way; having a pleasing sound