The Odyssey
“Written” by Homer (a blind poet) around
700 BC
Passed down through generations
Based on Greek mythology
What is an Epic?
1. Has an original plot structure
2. Characters are realistic but heroic and
have flaws like regular men
3. Includes fabulous monsters
4. Epics are long but exciting
Homer’s Epics
1. Include The Iliad and The Odyssey
2. Tell a story
3. Express values of the Greek society
Before The Odyssey…
• There was The Iliad
The story of The Iliad
• The Trojan War
– Probable cause was economics $$$
– Troy controlled all trade and shipping
(everything was surrounded by water)
– Greeks couldn’t expand trade
– Declared war on Troy
The story of The Iliad
• Legendary cause of the Trojan War?
A Woman
• Helen of Troy: The face that launched a
thousand ships
She was married to a Greek king
But was in love with a Trojan
Prince
• Helen of Troy
The Trojan War
• Lasted 10 years
• Until…
The Trojan Horse
• Odysseus (our hero) had an idea to trick
the Trojans into letting down their guard
• Troy
Film clip from Troy
The Odyssey
• Picks up where The Iliad left off
• Odysseus has angered the gods by
making a false sacrifice
• The gods don’t like proud men who don’t
give them credit
• They punish Odysseus by making his
journey home last 10 years
Three Plot Strands in the Odyssey
1. Odysseus’ journey home to Ithaca after
the Trojan War (20 years total)
2. What happens in Ithaca while Odysseus is
away—his wife Penelope and his son
Telemachus have been waiting for him
3. O’s return to Ithaca—his fight to keep his
family and land
Creatures of The Odyssey
• The Cyclops
The Sirens
Scylla
Charybdis