The Odyssey and The Epic

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The Odyssey and The Epic

• Background, Literary Terms, Gods, and Goddesses

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Literary Terms

• Myth A story passed down through the ages orally
  about supernatural beings half truth, half
  fiction.
• Poem language arranged in lines with a rhythm
  and often a rhyme scheme.
• Narrative Poem a poem that tells a story.

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• Epic Poem A long narrative poem on a great and
  serious subject that is centered on the actions
  of a heroic figure. The epic hero has a goal and
  typically embarks on a long journey that involves
  struggles with a natural and supernatural
  beingsgods, monsters, and other human beings
  which test the heros bravery, wits, and skill in
  battle.
• The purpose of an epic is to entertain, teach,
  and inspire the listener or reader with examples
  of how people can strive and succeed against
  great odds.

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• Epic Hero The main character of an epic. Usually
  a good example, a moral person. Has a set of
  adventures/trials larger than life reflects the
  values of the society of the time.
• Epic Simile (Homeric Simile) An extended
  comparison, using like or as comparing heroic
  events to something simple and easily
  understandable.
• Epithet Descriptive adjective or phrase used to
  characterize someone or something used
  repeatedly.

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• Archetype the best example the original
  example. Ex. the sacrificial lambJesus
• Hyperbole Gross exaggeration. (When my mom found
  out where Id been, she hit the ceiling.)
• Allusion A reference in literature to something
  that everyone should know. (Biblical, literature,
  music, art, etc.)

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What is mythology?

• It is the study of myths and myths are stories
  about supernatural beings, in early times handed
  down orally from one generation to another.

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Greek Name Roman Name Role

• Zeus Jupiter King of Gods
• Hera Juno Goddess of Marriage
• Poseidon Neptune God of Sea,
• Earthquakes
• Athena Minerva Goddess of Wisdom
• War
• Hephaestus Vulcan God of Forge/Fire
• Hermes Mercury Messenger of Gods
• Ares Mars God of War
• Hades Pluto God of Underworld
• Aphrodite Venus Goddess of Beauty/Love
• Demeter Ceres Goddess of Agriculture
• Apollo Apollo God of Sun/Music/Song
• Artemis Diana Goddess of Wild Animals/
• The Hunt

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So what is The Odyssey?

• The Odyssey is an epic poem written by Homer (not
  Simpson). Some historians say that Homer was
  blind however, some people feel that Homer must
  have had sight at one time because his poems are
  so rich in visual imagery that they are clearly
  written by someone who had observed the world
  carefully.

? This guy
Not this guy?
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• Homers two greatest accomplishments are The
  Illiad and The Odyssey.
• The Illiad is an epic poem describing the events
  of the Trojan War.
• The Odyssey chronicles Odysseuss trip home from
  the Trojan War.
• The Odyssey is named for Odysseus, its hero.
• The Illiad is named for Ilium, Troy, the setting
  of the action.

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The Trojan War

• In reality, the Trojan War was just another war
  that left a city (Troy) destroyed and many dead.
  Scholars believe the true reason for the war was
  economics and trade issues. However, the myth
  surrounding the Trojan War is so much better!

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• According to mythology, there was to be a wedding
  in the heavens. The goddess of discord
  (arguments), Eris, was not invited for obvious
  reasons. This angered her. She decided to get
  even. Eris hid outside the wedding and threw a
  golden apple with the inscription, For the
  fairest, into a group of goddesses. Of course,
  there was a fight for it. Hera, Athena, and
  Aphrodite really wanted it. They went to see
  their leader, Zeus. Being a smart man, he did not
  want to make the decision himself.

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• Zeus assigned the task to Paris, a Trojan prince
  and supposedly the most handsome mortal man. This
  was a no win situation. Paris would be the
  favorite of one goddess but make enemies out of
  the other two.
• The goddesses attempted to sway Paris decision
  by bribing him. Hera promised him dominion over
  the whole world. Athena offered victory in
  battle. Aphrodite offered the most beautiful
  woman in the world.

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• Well, it is easy to guess what Paris chose
• Of course, he chose the most beautiful woman.
  Aphrodite won the apple.
• However, there was a problem. The most beautiful
  woman was Helen, wife of King Menelaus of Sparta.
  Oops! Paris claimed his prize and started a mess.

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• Because Greece was not a unified nation, King
  Menelaus had trouble gathering troops in a timely
  manner. Menelaus called on his brother Agamemnon
  for help. Agamemnon was a commander-in-chief of
  the Greek army and a great warrior. He gathered
  1000 ships of reluctant soldiers to fight the
  Trojans.

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• Odysseus did not want to go because he had his
  own sweet wife at home, Penelope and a new-born
  son, Telemachus. He faked insanity and said he
  could not go. So they tested him by putting his
  son in a field and asked him to plow over him.
  They knew that if he was not crazy, he would fail
  the test. He stopped right before plowing over
  his son and had to go to war.

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• The war lasted TEN years.
• The Greeks (Odysseus guys) camped outside the
  city of Troy. They couldnt even get in the
  gates. They pretended to give up, left a Trojan
  Horse as an apology and supposedly went away.
  But, really some soldier were inside the giant
  horse. When the Trojans opened the gates to let
  the horse inside, they also let in the hidden
  men.

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• Later that night after the Trojans were all drunk
  from celebrating their victory, the Greeks
  climbed out and destroyed the city, got Helen
  back, and set off for home.
• Now the gods were HOT because the ransackers
  (Greeks) had not offered prayers before burning
  the temples of Troy. They were especially hot at
  Odysseus because it was his idea. This is the
  story of The Illiad also by Homer.

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• The Odyssey is the story of Odysseus long trip
  home and his trials once he does finally return.

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Characteristics of an Epic

• Hero? a figure of imposing stature, of national
  or international importance, and of great
  historical or legendary significance, the main
  character.
• Setting? the setting is huge, covering nations,
  the world, and/or the universe
• Action? great deeds of valor which require
  superhuman courage.

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• Supernatural forces or gods become involved in
  the action.
• Style? formal, elevated grandly simple
• Epic poet tells objectively the story of heroes.

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The Epic Formula

• The narrator begins telling the story in medias
  res (in the middle) of the story.
• The narrative includes speeches by principal
  characters which reveal their personality.
  (extended formal speeches)
• The Invocation? the narrator starts the poem by
  stating the subject and asking for inspiration
  from a guiding spirit. (muses? goddesses of art,
  music, and literature)

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• Statement of the theme
• Catalogs (long lists) of warriors, ships, armies,
  etc.

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Upcoming Assignments!

• The Odyssey and Mythology Background Test
• The Odyssey Folders
• Literary Terms Test