THE ODYSSEY

1
THE ODYSSEY

• By, Homer
• Part 1 An Introduction
• Jeanette K. Lasko

2
What is an epic?

• A long, narrative poem
• Tells the adventures of heroes
• The heroes and characters reveal qualities about
  their civilization and time period

3
Who was Homer?

• Possibly a blind minstrel
• Minstrels were people who traveled from town to
  town singing about legendary events or about gods

4
HOMER

• He was possibly just a legend
• Possibly a woman

5
The People and Their Times

• Approximately 800 B.C.
• Very violent culture? War and death were common

6
The People and Their Times

• People worshiped gods and goddesses
• People concerned about their relationship with
  gods since they controlled all things
• People believed in myths

7
Example of a god

• This is the god Poseidon
• He is the god of the sea
• Odysseus angers him
• Here we see Poseidon punish Odysseus

8
How The Story Was Told

• The story was passed on by Oral Tradition
• This means by word of mouth

9
How The Story Was Told

• Stories and historical events were not recorded
  just told to generation after generation
• Many people couldnt read or write, so to be
  educated they had to listen

10
How The Story Was Told

• Many words and parts were made up on the spot to
  fit the rhythm of the story
• There is much repetition? it gave the singer time
  to prepare and think ahead
• The epic is divided into parts, and then into
  books

11
Important Terms

• Homeric Simile- compares epic events to everyday
  events
• Helps people unfamiliar with war and heroes
  understand the events better

12
Important Terms

• The language used is Archaic
• This means some of it is old and outdated
• Examples
• Beeves cows
• Combers large waves

13
Credits

• Leeming, David A. (2003). The Odyssey An
  Introduction by
• David Adams Leeming. In Elements of
  Literature (pp.878-886). New York Holt,
  Rinehart and Winston.
• Websites (used for images)
• www.ensemblestudios.com
• www.library.thinkquest.org
• www.livius.org
• www.legion-fourteen.org
• www.cumbavac.com
• www.artsales.com/artistory/ancient_ships