An
Introduction
to Homer’s
Odyssey
Who was
HOMER?
Homer was a blind minstrel (he
told stories to entertain and to
make his living); audiences had
to listen carefully (this is “oral
tradition” so there was a lot of
repetition and improvisation
used)
Other traveling poets (called
rhapsodes) memorized and recited
these epics in the banquet halls of
kings and noble families
•History is vague on Homer’s identity;
some say he is just a legend, others say
that a whole series of rhapsodes
composed various parts of the epics
•The epics were not originally written-the Greek alphabet didn’t appear until
725 BC
GREEK VALUES
Important to understand some of the main
Greek values of the time because….
These values help explain
characters’ motivations
Greek Values
(explains characters’ motivations)
Reciprocity:
• Mutual exchange between two people
• You give to me, I give to you
• You help me, later I have to help you
Greek Values
(explains characters’ motivations)
Hospitality:
• Treat all guests with respect
• Be nice first, ask questions later
• A stranger could be a god in disguise!
Be our guest,
be our guest,
put our service
to the test. . .
Greek Values
(explains characters’ motivations)
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•
•
•
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Greek idea of excellence
Intelligence (be smart and cunning)
Strength
Courage
Duty
Greek Values
(explains characters’ motivations)
Religion:
•Actions should please the gods
•Fate controlled by the god
•Humans need the gods (man, without the gods,
is nothing) [Odysseus’ revelation]
•Humans should honor gods through sacrifices,
asking gods for help, and giving credit to gods
Epics and Heroes
• What is Hubris?
Tony Stark (Iron Man)
Hubris is extreme arrogance or self-pride. Often in Greek
tragedies, hubris would be the fatal flaw of the main character,
often resulting in their downfall. In Mythology, humans
sometimes demonstrated hubris, which angered the gods.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QZqPXBJ8xLk
MYTH
“Myth” is a story that uses fantasy to
express ideas about life not easily
done in realistic terms (it also
stresses the relationship of human
beings to a higher, spiritual realm and
depicts
the worldview of a
culture)
The Epic
Characteristics of the Epic:
1. Long, narrative poem
2. Reflects values of a
nation or race
3. Addresses universal
concerns
4. Focuses on the
adventures of a historical
or legendary hero
5. The supernatural plays an
important role
6. Story is set in many
locations
7. Hero against the odds –
strong and courageous
8. Story is simple and written
in formal language
EPICS
Things you will discover once you
have read an Epic:
Classical Allusions: references to mythology
Example: She had the face that launched a thousand
ships—Refers to Helen of Troy from The Illiad.
•You will find these allusions in other literature, movies,
everyday conversations, and even in modern day
advertising.
•Example: Percy Jackson series, Honda Odyssey van,
Venus razors, Good Year tires with Hermes wings, etc.
EPICS
Things you will discover once you
have read an Epic:
The Hero’s Journey Pattern:
Most epic heroes go on some sort of quest. Look
for examples of the Separation, Transformation,
and Return. Be able to chart Odysseus’ Hero’s
Journey through the 8 stages and apply the HJ
concepts to his journey. How does Odysseus
change?
Conventions
of the Epic
Epithet
A brief descriptive phrase
•Characterizes a person, place or
thing
•Gives story-teller a “breather”
•Helps with rhyming or meter
Examples:
rosy-fingered dawn
gray-eyed Athena
The blue-maned god who makes the islands tremble
Son of Laertes and gods of old, master mariner and soldier
Homeric Simile
Compares epic events to
everyday events
“…in one stride he clutched at my companions
and caught two in his hands like squirming
puppies to beat their brains out, spattering
the floor.”
Homer’s Epics
(composed between 900 & 700 BC!)
First there was…
The Iliad
After The Iliad (Aneid
by Virgil
)
•Odysseus’ wooden horse trick
•Greeks defeat the Trojans
•Odysseus heads for home
The Odyssey
Tales of Odysseus
The Odyssey
Involves 3 Sets of Characters:
1. The Greek GODS
2. Humans
3. Supernatural monsters and
creatures
Post War Trauma
• Long, exhausting, brutal war
(10 years)
• Odysseus heads for home with
nothing but ships and crew
The Odyssey
A story
told
in
3 stages
PART ONE
A story of what happens in Ithaca to
Odysseus’ wife (Penelope) and son
(Telemachus) as they await his return
PART TWO
A story of Odysseus’ wanderings after
the Trojan War (the war lasted 10
years and his wanderings lasted
another 10 years!)
PART THREE
A story of how Odysseus returns home
to Ithaca and joins forces with his son
to destroy his enemies
Why does it take
Odysseus 10 years to get
home?
Read and find out!
Meanwhile…there’s trouble at home!
•In Ithaca, Odysseus is suspected to be
dead
•Suitors have invaded the palace
•Penelope, Odysseus’ wife, is in an
awkward position and must trick the men
into leaving her alone
•Telemachus, Odysseus’ son, resents
the imposing situation
And so the epic begins…