History Behind The Odyssey

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History Behind The Odyssey

• Known as the 2nd work in Western Literature
  Iliad is the first
• Epic narrative
• A compilation of stories told orally for
  centuries because of illiteracy
• Written by Homer circa 720 BC
• Offers insight into history, values, mythology,
  entertainment of the culture
• Comprised of 24 books

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Introduction

• The Odyssey recounts the story of Odysseus
  return to Ithaca from the Trojan war and tells
  how, championed by Athene and hounded by the
  wrathful sea-god Poseidon, Odysseus encounters
  the ferocious Cyclops, escapes Scylla and
  Charybdis and yields temporarily to the lures of
  Circe and Calypso before he overcomes the trials
  awaiting him on Ithaca. Only then is he reunited
  with his faithful wife Penelope, his wanderings
  at an end.

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The Journey
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Themes - I

• The Search for Identity

Odysseus searches for his Home
Telemachus searches for Odysseus

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Themes - II
CHAOS
ORDER
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Themes - III
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Themes - IV
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Themes - V
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Themes - VI
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Other Themes to Consider

• Fathers and Sons
• Disguise and Recognition
• Masters and Slaves
• Homecoming

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Mortals in The Odyssey

• Aegisthus
• Alcinous
• Agamemnon
• Antinous
• Arete
• Argus
• Demodocus
• Elpenor
• Eumaeus
• Eurycleia
• Eurylochus
• Eurymachus
• Halisthernes
• Helen
• Irus
• Laertes
• Medon
• Melanthius

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Gods in The Odyssey
AeolusAthene/MentorCaylpsoCharybid
isCirceHermesHyperionLeucothoie PolyphemusPo
seidonScyllaThe Sirens--Zeus
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Listen to Ancient Greek

• Stanley Lombardo Reads Homer's The Iliad in
  Ancient Greek