Homer’s The Odyssey
A journey of the
heart, mind, and
SPIRIT
Author: Homer
Blind bard (traveling poet)
Also wrote THE ILIAD (story of
Trojan War)
Genre: Epic Poetry
• The Odyssey falls
under the category
of epic poetry.
• How do I know
when I am reading
epic poetry?
• Good question…
HELP! I NEED SOMEBODY!
• All epic poems contain an INVOCATION TO
THE MUSE.
• The Muses were nine goddesses in Greek
mythology who inspired artists and writers.
• An invocation is a prayer for help.
• The epic poet would pray to the muse of epic
poetry for assistance in telling his tale.
Qualities of Epic Poetry
• Journey to the
underworld
• Use of epithets (“the
crafty Odysseus”)
• Supernatural
elements
• Obstacles for the hero
to conquer
• Begins “in medias
res”
Other qualities…
• Contains epic (or Homeric)
similes
• Use of patronymics (calling son
by the father’s name) (“Odysseus,
son of Laertes”)
Purpose of Epic Poetry
• To teach lessons to
children.
• Epic heroes served
as a model of what to
do and what not to
do.
Qualities of an Epic Hero
• Deeds are presented
without favoritism
• Superhuman qualities
• Goes on a quest
• Has a “fatal flaw”
• Reflects the values of
his culture (will vary
depending on what
culture considers
important)
What did the Greeks value?
• BRAVERY
• ATHLETICISM
• INTELLIGENCE
THE “FATAL FLAW”
• The flaw of an epic hero distinguishes him
from the gods.
• Odysseus’ flaw is the Greek word
“HUBRIS”, meaning “arrogance”.
• He has a few other flaws too, but this is
the one that causes him the most trouble.
• Disrespect for the power of the gods.
ORAL TRADITION
• Epic poems recited by
bards.
• Poems memorized
and recited for
entertainment.
• THE ILIAD tells the
story of the Trojan
War.
• 10 years
Trojan War Background
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Polytheistic
Mt. Olympus
Gods had flaws
Eris (goddess of discord)
Golden apple
Tag read “To the fairest”
Hera, Athena, Aphrodite
Zeus
Troy
Prince Paris
Bribes Existed Even in Ancient
Times!
Political
power
Hera
Athena
Military power
Aphrodite
Most beautiful
woman in the
world!
THERE’S ALWAYS A CATCH…
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Helen of Sparta
Menelaus
Military state (army=government)
Suitors promised to protect Helen
Paris took Helen to Troy
Trojan War began
Marlowe: “face that launched 1000 ships”
THE TROJAN HORSE
• 10 year war
• Greece losing
• Odysseus: most crafty
warrior
• Wooden horse
• Fill it with soldiers
• Walled city
• Laocoon (prophet) said to
them,“Beware of Greeks
bearing gifts.”
Unfortunately, they didn’t
listen.
THE TROJAN HORSE
continued
• Soldiers inside came
out, let in others, and
destroyed city.
• Zeus and Hera
• Zeus favored Trojans
• Hera favored Greeks
• Zeus wanted
Odysseus destroyed
• Hera would not allow
COULD THERE POSSIBLY BE
MORE?
• They compromised:
• Odysseus’ fate would
be to sail the seas for
ten years and face
great hardships,
losing all his crew and
ships
• This is how THE
ODYSSEY begins…