The Iiad, The Odyssey

1
The Iiad, The Odyssey

• and Homer

2
Characteristics of Epic Poems

• The main character or protagonist is heroically
  larger than life
• The deeds of the hero are presented revealing his
  failings as well as his virtues
• The action, often in battle, reveals the
  more-than-human strength of the heroes as they
  engage in acts of heroism and courage
• The setting covers several nations, the whole
  world, or even the universe

3

• The episodes, even though they may be fictional,
  provide an explanation for some of the
  circumstances or events in the history of a
  nation or people
• The gods and lesser divinities play an active
  role in the outcome of actions
• All of the various adventures form an organic
  whole, where each event relates in some way to
  the central theme
• Invocation to the muse or other deity

4

• Frequent use of epithets (Aeneas the true, rosy
  fingered dawn)
• Long, formal speeches by important characters

5
Elements of the Epic Hero Cycle

• The main character is a hero, who is often
  possessed of supernatural abilities or qualities.
  
• The hero is charged with a quest.
• The hero is tested, often to prove the worthiness
  of himself and his quest.
• The presence of numerous mythical beings, magical
  and helpful animals, and human helpers and
  companions

6

• The heros travels take him to a supernatural
  world, often one that normal human beings are
  barred from entering
• The cycle must reach a low point where the hero
  nearly gives up his quest or appears defeated
• A resurrection
• Restitution. Often this takes the form of the
  hero regaining his rightful place on the throne

7
Homer- who he was/ time period

• Homer Greek Epic Poet- about 750 B.C.
• Homer probably compiled between 900 B.C.E.- 700
  B.C.E. already historical event (1200 B.C.E.)
• Probably oral tradition several hundred years
  before
• Born in Greece (Turkish Izmir)

8

• Trojan war in Iliad/Odyssey about 1200 B.C.E
• In between 300 years of dark ages- Hellenic
  Greece sacked by tribes with no written
  language
• Illiad/ Odyssey important W.European work
• 1st complete character arcs-growth/ full plot
• Theogony Hesoid

9
(No Transcript)
10
Geography/ politics

• location of the The Iliad and The Odyssey is the
  Aegean Sea, The Ionian Sea and parts of Turkey.
• Mycenaeans (Bronze Age) warriors/ traders
  1600-1200 B.C.E. Linear B- syllabic symbols

11
Greek?

• Not identified as a country- more city-states
• Pheonicians (Lebanon)/ Egypt were Greek rivals

12

• Around 1200 B.C.E. (Trojan War time), Mycenaeans
  forced out by Dorian (barbarian tribes) invaders.
• 800 B.C.E. writing adopted from Pheonicians

13

• Homer predates Greek unification by 400 years-
  Homer had no word Greek to denote unified
  language, culture, state
• In 400s B.C.E. Persian invasion threated
  inspired first unification

14

• Homer world not Roman and Europeanized- as your
  world view is. They had not experienced many
  world perspectives including Judeo-Christian
  values, Romanticism, Chivalry

15

• Iliad/ Odyssey remained outside of Western
  interest/ knowledge during dark/ middle ages
• 1453 Ottoman conquest of Mediterranean Byzantine
  scholars fled-

16

• Renaissance reclaimed Homer as part of Western
  Cannon

17
History what is for sure/ what unknown

• Location Troy discovered 1860s
• Ithaca recently discovered-theory on Island of
  Cephalonia- rock slide filled in between two
  islands- Island of modern Ithaca doesnt match
  Homers description

18

• Homer was writing of distant past and used
  anachronisms- chariots for transportation though
  Myceneans used for fighting, bodies burned
  though Myceneans buried
• Historical accuracy unknown

19

• Homers style metaphor-oral tradition
  pneumonics-names (clear-eyed Athena) -roman
  translations, names may worked in poetic time not
  translations

20
For discussion/ thought

• People debate whether Homer was real person or
  just a made up figure. Assuming he wasnt real
  why might people have invented an author for the
  Odyssey and The Iliad?
• Why would they have added details to his
  biography, such as blindness?

21
Contemporary expressions originating from the
text

• Herculean
• Mentor
• Spartan
• The face that launched a thousand ships
• A temptress, a siren
• The threads of destiny
• museum