The Odyssey
Homer and the Epic:
An Introduction
Homer
• Exact date of birth not
known, but is estimated
to be about 850 BCE
• Greek poet and writer of
The Iliad and The
Odyssey
• Traditionally believed to
have been blind
• Some scholars believe
that Homer was not one
person, but rather a
group of writers
The Iliad
• Tells the story of the Trojan
War
• Takes place over 10 years
• War between Troy and Greece
over the kidnapping (or
elopement) of Helen, wife of
Menelaus (Menelaos) of
Greece, by Paris, king of Troy
• Legendary event believed to
have taken place (if it did)
around 1200 BCE
• Central character is the
legendary hero Achilles
(Akhilleus)
The Odyssey
• Tells the story of
Odysseus’ trip back
home from the Trojan
War
• Takes place over 10
years
• Central character is
Odysseus, king of
Ithaka
Robert Fitzgerald
• Comes closest to
matching Homer in
rhythm and epic
scope
• Poet and professor at
Harvard until his
death
• Sought to preserve
Greek spellings
Characters
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Odysseus—our hero
Penelope—his wife
Telemakhos—his son
Athena—Greek goddess of wisdom and guide to
Odysseus
Poseidon—Greek god of the sea and angered by
Odysseus
The suitors—a group of men who try to get Penelope to
marry them in Odysseus’ absence
Kirke—enchantress who imprisons Odysseus and his
men
Polyphemos—the infamous Kyklops who tangles with
Odysseus and his crew
Fitzgeraldian spellings
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Aiolos=Aeolus
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Akhaians=Achaeans •
Akhillieus=Achilles
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Alkinoos=Alcinous
Antinoos=Antinous •
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Ithaka=Ithaca
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Kalypso=Calypso
Kharybdis=Charybdis
Kikones=Cicones
Kirke=Circe
Kyklopes/Kyklops=Cyclopes/
Cyclops
Menelaos=Menelaus
Polyphemos=Polyphemus
Seirenes=Sirens
Telemakhos=Telemachus
Allusions
• An odyssey is a term used to describe a
difficult or lengthy journey
• James Joyce’s novel Ulysses (the Roman
name for Odysseus)
• O Brother, Where Art Thou
• Music by Cream (“Tales of Brave
Ulysses”), the Police (or Sting) (“Wrapped
Around Your Finger”)
Why Read it?
• At approximately 2800 years old, it’s one
of the earliest works of literature.
• It is so ingrained in our culture and
literature that it is necessary to be familiar
with it.
• It’s a great introduction to epic poetry.
• It’s one of the greatest adventure stories
ever written.