Created by Dr. Nancy Kerns Originator of the Classical Greek Epic ◦ The Iliad (story of the Trojan war) ◦ The Odyssey Works helped define Greek culture ◦ Ideals in heroism ◦ Aspects of the gods Works had massive influence on Western literature ◦ Defined epic tradition ◦ Set the standard for later works No information about Homer is known for certain, but there are several traits that are traditionally accepted ◦ Lived around 750-700 BC (although some put him as early as 11th century BC) ◦ Blind ◦ From the region of Ionia Some scholars dispute his authorship and/or existence (see next slide) and so dismiss his “biography” YES ◦ The epics are very similar stylistically, suggesting they were created by one man ◦ Traveling poets orally passed down the epics in a consistent form ◦ From ancient times, Greek historians have always referred to him as a real man and the actual author of the epics ◦ It is true that the biographical info on him is inconsistent and uncertain, but that’s typical of ancient figures; he lived before the alphabet was even invented so all his info got passed down orally NO ◦ There are some differences; also, the epics could have been changed to match up later ◦ The oral poets could have just been echoing the most popular version, constructed from the “greatest hits” of previous oral poets over time ◦ Greek historians could have simply been repeating a myth ◦ We know almost nothing about him for sure – not even the century in which he was born; there are a lot of inconsistencies about his biographical information from different Greek historians Long narrative with verse structure About heroic acts and adventures that held cultural importance Involved the Greek gods Contained extended metaphors and similes Repeated certain phrases / imagery attached to an event or person (like “rosy-fingered dawn” in The Odyssey) Begins “in media res” or in the middle of the story chronologically, there is a long flashback, and then we come back to the present for the final events Heroism Pride Nationalism War Morality Honor Power Control The dangers of temptation Fickleness of the gods and fate Defining masculine and feminine roles Importance of intellect as well as strength Perception vs. reality (disguise, deceit) Homecoming Content ◦ Bloom, Harold. Homer’s The Odyssey: Bloom’s Modern Critical Interpretations ◦ Maronitist, D. N. Homeric Megathemes (Greek Studies). ◦ Simon, Peter, et. al.The Norton Anthology of World Literature Vol. 1 Images (in order of appearance) ◦ Iliad Fragment on Manuscript. markalburgermusichistory.blogspot.com ◦ Iliad Fragment on Papyrus. upenn.edu ◦ Bust of Homer. historyofscience.com ◦ Waterhouse, John Williams.“Ulysses and the Sirens.” arthistoryarchives.com ◦ “Odysseus Kills the Suitors.” independent.co.uk ◦ Drawing of Polythemus. myracosta.edu ◦ Wright, Joseph. “Penelope Unraveling Her Web.” www.getty.edu