Homers The Odyssey

1
Homers The Odyssey

• Understanding Concepts and Identifying Themes in
  Literature
• Dan Hull

2
What is a Concept?

• A concept is an Idea
• A concept is an Opinion
• It is the basis of any work of literature

3
What is a Theme?

• A theme is the central topic of a work
• A theme is the main point of the work
• There may be several themes

4
About Homer

• Homer is the supposed author of the Odyssey and
  the Iliad.
• He is known as the Blind Poet

5
Background to the Odyssey

• Trojan War trudges on for ten years
• Achilles and Hector die
• Odysseus Trojan Horse plan foils the Trojans
  and the Greeks are victorious.
• Poseidon wishes praise from Odysseus for killing
  Laocoon with a serpent.
• Odysseus refuses
• Poseidon seeks revenge

6
The Major Theme

• Odysseus is only a man
• Pride kept him from admitting that the gods
  helped him to victory
• After ten years of being thwarted by the gods,
  Odysseus finally realizes that he only a man.

7
What Concepts Does This Theme Support?

• Man sometimes has a tendency to succumb to Pride
• People cannot work alone
• We are a small part of the big picture
• Too much pride can cause more harm than good

8
Support from the Text

• Odysseus is able to face and overcome obstacles,
  but is unable to accomplish his goal
• He allows independence and pride to separate him
  from his family
• Eventually he is able to return only after he is
  stripped of everything

9
Why Do We Need to Understand Themes?

• To comprehend the significance of the story
• To gain insight to the author
• To learn from the work