The Man, the Myth , the Epic, The Odyssey

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The Man, the Myth , the Epic, The Odyssey

• Written by Homer
• Written Approximately 1200 B.C.
• Translated from Greek by Robert Fitzgerald

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Homer

• Blind
• Minstrel/Singer from the island Chios
• Controversy Was he an actual individual man or a
  group?
• Most say he was a real man and wrote the poems
• Homer was a singer of tales.
• All historians/entertainers of Homers time did
  not write their stories/facts down.

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The Trojan War

• Spartan King Menelaus (men-uh-lay-uhs)
• Helen wife of Menelaus (the face that launched
  a thousand ships) left him for the young Prince
  Paris of Troy.
• Helen was the wife of Menelaus and reputed to be
  the most beautiful woman in the world, and her
  abduction by Paris brought about the Trojan War.
• Greeks attacked Troy
• Agamemnon, brother of Menelaus, led the siege.
• Odysseus (main character in the Odyssey) was
  another hero of the war.
• Odysseus was known not only for being a strong
  hero, but also for being a wise/smart hero.
• Another hero, Achilles, died in the final year
  of the war.
• Greek forces were victorious!
• NOW.ON TO THE ODYSSEY!

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The Odyssey An Epic
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What is an Epic?

• An Epic is a long narrative poem
• Tells about the adventures of a hero
• Usually epics embody the values of the cultures
  they are written for
• The Iliad and the Odyssey were used in schools
  to teach Greek virtues.

• Iliad is primary model for epic of war
• Odyssey is primary model for epic of the long
  journey

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What defines an epic hero? What makes an
archetypal hero?

• Epic Hero
• a larger-than-life figure from a history or
  legend
• usually favored by or even partially descended
  from deities, but associated more closely with
  mortal figures
• usually a man of high social status who embodies
  the ideals of his people and who is often capable
  of superhuman feats

• Archetypal Hero
• Archetype universal symbols that evoke deep and
  sometimes unconscious responses in a reader.
• A character that symbolizes universal meanings
  and basic human experiences, regardless of when
  or where they live, are considered archetypes.
• Characteristics
• Unusual circumstances of birth
• Leaves family or land and lives with others
• An event, sometimes traumatic, leads to adventure
  or quest
• Hero always has supernatural help
• The Hero must prove himself many times while on
  adventure
• When the hero dies, he is rewarded spiritually

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OdysseusHero of the Odyssey

• Wife Penelope Son Telemachus
• Great soldier of the Trojan war
• Originally tried to get out of going to the
  warpretended he was crazy
• Came up with the wooden-horse trick that lead to
  Troys collapse.
• The Odyssey is the account of Odysseus journey
  home after the war
• Possesses a cunning wit uses it more than
  physical strength.
• Brave prefers to defeat enemies with cleverness
  and deception
• Must pass many trials to reach the safety of his
  home.
• Takes the heros journey into the underworld --
  emerging wiser and more mature
• Weaknesses cause obstacles during journey
  overcomes
• Interacts with the gods receives both favors and
  curses.
• Ultimately a heroic figure

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Odysseus Journey

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What is a Myth?

• A Myth is a traditional story from a particular
  culture
• It usually explains a belief of that culture, a
  ritual of the culture, or a mysterious natural
  phenomenon
• Answers the questions Who are we? Where did we
  come from? Why do these things happen?
• A myth explains subjects that are mysterious or
  unknowable to people
• deals with humans and the unknown or, humans and
  gods
• Many times the god is an alter ego, or a
  reflection of the heros best or worst
  characteristics
• Told orally and then later written down passed
  down through generations

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WHAT ABOUT THE GODS/GODDESSES?

• WHAT ?
• Most powerful Greek gods lived high atop Mt.
  Olympus.
• Looked and acted much like humans--but they were
  more powerful, beautiful, and gifted.
• Had human feelings and emotions, like love,
  anger, and jealousy.
• Married, had children, fought with each other,
  and generally acted like the Greek people they
  ruled. 
• Each god had a special area of influence love,
  war, hunting, music, or agriculture.
• Many of the best-known gods had temples dedicated
  to them.
• People thought that the gods would treat them
  well if they brought offerings of grain or
  animals to these temples. 

• WHO?
• Zeus supreme god of the Olympians
• Poseidon god of the sea
• Hades god of Hades or the Underworld
• Apollo god of Light and Truth
• Hermes messenger god
• Ares god of war
• Hera queen of Olympians Zeus wife
• Artemis goddess of hunt and chase
• Athena- goddess of wisdom and reason
• Aphrodite goddess of love and beauty

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WORKS CITED

• http//nadabs.tripod.com/odyssey/myth
• Homer. The Odyssey, translated by S.H. Butcher
  and A. Lang. Vol. XXII. The Harvard Classics. New
  York P.F. Collier Son, 190914