THE ODYSSEY What is a myth? A story usually concerning some superhuman being or unlikely event that was once widely believed to be true. What is an EPIC? EPIC - noting or pertaining to a long poetic composition, usually centered upon a hero, in which a series of great achievements or events is narrated in elevated style: Homer's the Odyssey is an epic poem. What is an EPIC poem? A long narrative poem about the adventures of a hero whose actions reflect ideals and values of a race or nation. Epics address universal concerns, such as good and evil. An epic hero is a larger-than-life figure who takes part in dangerous adventures and accomplish great deeds. Handed down from generation to generation. Chanted the stories in public performances. EPIC poem – 9 Characteristics 1) It opens in the midst of the story (medias res) 2) The setting is vast and it covers many nations, the world and the universe. 3) It usually begins with an invocation to Muse. 4) It starts with a statement of the theme. 5) The use of Epithets. 6) It includes long lists. 7) It features long and formal speeches. 8) It shows divine intervention on human affairs. 9) The Heroes embody the values of civilization. Who is Homer? An ancient Greek poet traditionally considered to be the composer of The Iliad and the Odyssey. According to tradition, he was blind. Fabled poet, yet when and where he lived, remain riddles. Probably composed the Odyssey near the end of the 8th century BC. The Odyssey Introduction Odysseus’ adventures as he makes his way home after the Trojan war. His wanderings involve encounters with various monsters, enchanting women, and much more. The drive to recover something more precious than honor or politics: Helen, the beautiful wife of Menelaos, King of Sparta. Helen, the story goes, had been abducted by Paris, the handsome Trojan Prince. Gods & Goddesses Calypso--a sea goddess Zeus--chief of the Greek gods and goddesses Poseidon--god of the sea Aeollus--god of the winds Plot Summary the Trojan war has ended Odysseus departs from Troy with a fleet of 12 ships carrying about 700 men Odysseus makes Poseidon angry with his prideful remarks fights monsters, battles storms encounters enchanting women who try to keep him from his wife loses his men goes into the underworld for advice from a blind prophet 10 years fighting in the Trojan War and 10 years fighting Poseidon and the other gods to get home makes it home???? CONFLICT Internal – pride – bragging, boasting – curiosity – hunger for fame – homesickness External – war – nature – gods, goddesses – monsters – Penelope’s suitors The Trojan War Troy - lasted for ten years - ended by Odysseus’s Trojan Horse - finally, the survivors start for home . . . Priam + Hecuba Paris Hector Mount Olympus Zeus + Hera Athena Aphrodite “for the fairest” Sparta Odysseus and the Achaeans go to war with Troy Ithaca Menelaus + Helen Menelaus calls on his allies Agamemnon Menelaus and Agamemnon go to get Odysseus Eris Odysseus + Penelope Telemachus Literary Terms Epithet: A compound adjective, as in "all-seeing" love, "swift-footed" Achilles, "gray-eyed" Athena, "rosy-fingered" dawn, that is attached to a particular character. ex: clear-eyed goddess (1. 256) Hubris: Overreaching pride Heroic Couplet: This verse form consists of iambic pentameter lines with rhymed couplets. Iambic pentameter is a meter, rhyme and rhythm pattern in poetry. Iambic refers to an unstressed syllable followed by a stressed syllable. Pentameter means there are five beats or meters per line. Setting - Bronze Age, 12 B.C.E. Most of the action takes place in the ten years following the Trojan War Ithaca – surrounding seas and islands, which with Odysseus gone, all that he has – his kingship, his wealth, his home, and his wife and son – is in jeopardy The Epic Begins… The epic begins in medias res (literary term meaning “in the middle of things”). Odysseus has been gone from Ithaca for about 20 years Epic is told in Omniscient 3rd POV - the poet, invokes the assistance of the Muse; 1st POV when Odysseus narrates Books 9–12. Penelope – 100 suitors Telemachus – coming of age Irony – Dramatic, Situational and Verbal Dramatic irony and pathos are two other literary techniques that Homer uses to good effect in the Odyssey. A good example of how Homer uses dramatic irony is just before the battle in the hall, '... believe me, this bow will break the heart and spirit of many a companion here'. These words are spoken by Leodes, the first of the suitors to attempt to string the bow. It is the bow that will kill the suitors and so it truly is '... the bow that will seal our fate', as Antinous said. Foreshadowing Agamemnon’s fate at the hands of Odysseus’ wife and his vindication by his son foreshadow the domestic troubles and triumphs Odysseus faces when he returns to Ithaca; Odysseus is nearly recognized by his wife and servants several times in Books 18–19, foreshadowing the disclosure of his identity in Book 22. Simile – comparison using the words “like” or “as” The simile is perhaps the most characteristic figure in Homer's repertoire, often being hugely extended into mininarratives of their own. Example: Odysseus is “... like a lion when he comes from feeding on a farmer's bullock, with the blood dripping from his breast and jaws on either side, a fearsome spectacle....” Epic simile - an elaborate comparison of unlike subjects Metaphor - when one thing is described as something else Example: when Odysseus has just slain the suitors and Homer compares the dead suitors to a mound of dead fish, conjuring up the image of fish twitching and flopping. This would definitely capture the attention of an audience as not only do these scenes portray the mighty power of the hero but are also gruesome enough to keep the attention of a more modern, possibly bloodthirsty audience. Imagery - the formation of mental images The Odyssey makes use of violent imagery to portray one of it's themes of vengeance. The descriptions given of some of the battle scenes with the Cyclopes. Homer offers the reader a image of the helplessness of the victims of the Cyclopes with the words: "...and [Cyclopes] caught two [men] in his hands like squirming puppies....” Introduction of Themes Hospitality Respect for the Gods Journey and Reputation – Odysseus’ most treasured possession Loyalty Power - Intelligence THEMES-Respect for the gods sacrifices and offerings – "cutting the first strips for the gods” – Libations are also poured. Disrespect for the Gods = disaster; the Gods do not forget disrespect and are not easily appeased. (Poseidon, Athena, Aeolus, Helios.) – Note how often Odysseus prays, especially after he makes the mistake with Polyphemus. THEMES - Loyalty Penelope's loyalty to Odysseus Athena's loyalty to “Odysseus” & vice versa Loyalty between parents and offspring. The loyalty of Eurycleia (The aged and loyal servant who nursed Odysseus and Telemachus) The loyalty of Argos The loyalty of the Achaeans (those who fight against Troy in the Trojan War) to each other. THEMES - Intelligence Foolishness and the lack of self-discipline lead to the loss of men with the Cicones and the loss of the crew on the Island of Helios. Outwits monsters and other foes who block his path and threaten his men’s lives. THEMES - Hospitality First shown to Telemachus by Nestor, then Menelaus. Descriptions of the feasting and gift giving by generous hosts Greek hospitality serve a number of purposes, such as pleasing the gods, pleasing guests, spreading a good reputation throughout the known world and establishing bonds with other families and cities. THEMES - Journey The Odyssey as a Hero Journey Journey of Life in The Odyssey Homecoming List of Characters Odysseus – The central Figure in the epic, he is cunning as well as courageous, trying to return to Ithaca, where he must defeat the suitors, and resume his proper place as king. Penelope – wife of Odysseus and mother of their son, Telemachus. She is clever and true in fending off the suitors. List of Characters Telemachus – son of Odysseus and Penelope, the prince struggles to gain his own maturity while attempting to deal with the problems of the palace Laertes – Odysseus’ father, the old king lives humbly and in solitude on a small farm where he mourns the absence of his son; once reunited with Odysseus, he is restored to dignity. List of Characters Circe – A goddess-enchantress who turns some of Odysseus’ crew into swine, she reverses the spell and becomes Odysseus’ lover for a year advising him well when he departs. Calypso – A goddess-nymph, she holds Odysseus captive for seven years, sleeping with him, hoping to marry him, and releasing him only at Zeus’ order. List of Characters Scylla–monster that lived on one side of a narrow channel of water, opposite its counterpart Charybdis. They were said to be located close enough to each other that they posed an inescapable threat to passing sailors; avoiding Charybdis meant passing too closely to Scylla and vice versa. List of Characters Polyphemus – also known as “the Cyclops,” the one-eyed cannibal giant who traps Odysseus and a scouting party in his cave and is blinded when they escape. Helios–was the Titan god of the sun. He was also the guardian of oaths and the god of gift of sight. List of Characters Sirens – 3 dangerous bird-women, portrayed as seductresses who lured nearby sailors whose enchanting music and voices to shipwreck on the rocky coast of their island. Antinous and Eurymachus – The two leading suitors, they differ in that Antinous is more physically aggressive while Eurymachus is a smooth talker. List of Characters Eumaeus and Philoetius – Odysseus’ loyal swineherd and cowherd, they assist him in his return to Ithaca and stand with the king and prince against the suitors. Eurycleia – Faithful old nurse to Odysseus (as well as Telemachus) she identifies her master when she recognizes an old scar on his leg. BOOK 1-Athena Motivates the Prince Homer opens with calling upon the higher power of the Muse of epic poetry-asks for her guidance in telling the story of a man who has experience many twists and turns of fate and has suffered many hardships. Odysseus – only Greek survivor of the Trojan War Captive on the island Ogygia by the “bewitching nymph” (1.17) BOOK 2 – Telemachus Sets Sail for Pylos Telemachuse effectively makes his case against the suitors and asks them to desist Antinous – the leading suitor, denies responsibility and puts the blame on that “queen of cunning,” Penelope (2.95). Eurymachus – another leading suitor Telemachus foreshadows events by appealing to Zeus for assistance in vengeance.