The%20Odyssey

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The Odyssey
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Some Background

• Composed circa 600-800 BC by Homer
• The Odyssey is an epic poem
• A written version of the classic oral tradition
• Uses repetition as a memory aid

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What is an Epic?

• A long, narrative poem detailing adventures of a
  hero who is
• Larger than life
• Historically significant
• (Mostly) favored by the gods
• Mortal
• On a journey or quest
• Exceptionally moral

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What is an Epic? Contd.

• Shows values and beliefs of a culture
• The setting
• Often encompasses many lands, nations, worlds,
  universes, etc.
• Involves supernatural forces

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More Qualities of an Epic

• The epics action include
• Deeds of great value
• Superhuman courage and feats
• Values beliefs of a culture
• Heros actions determine a nations fate
• The Writing
• Uses repetition
• Has several moments of suspense and climax

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Early Epic Poems

• Oral narrative poems
• Told in pre-literate societies
• Used to pass on morals/values of a culture

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Odyssey Literary Devices

• Opening with an invocation to the muse
• Muses goddesses who inspire the creation of
  literature and the arts
• Beginning the story in medias res (in the middle
  of things)
• Providing long lists of people, genealogies, and
  places significant to mythological history

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Literary Devices contd.

• Epithets
• Repeated nicknames for various characters, major
  and minor
• Ex Referring to Zeus as the father of gods and
  men
• A quest
• A hero faces obstacles on his way to get
  somewhere

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Literary Devices Homeric Similea.k.a. Epic or
Extended simile

• Definition A detailed comparison in the form of
  a simile that is many lines in length.
• Purpose To deepen the readers understanding of
  the individual or action taking place through a
  word-picture association that the reader is able
  to relate to.
• The typical Homeric simile makes a comparison to
  some kind of event, in the form "like a ____ when
  it ______

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Homeric Simile contd.

• The Three Step Homeric Simile
• 1) Saying what it is that whatever youre
  talking about is like (Ex Odysseus is like a
  lion)
• 2) Describing the thing youre comparing it to
  (Ex the lion)
• 3) Reminding the audience of what you were
  originally talking about (Ex Odysseus)
• The third step is important because sometimes the
  description the second step can get extremely
  long, and theres the risk that the audience will
  forget what youre talking about. 

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Lets try it Create an Original Homeric Simile

• Steps
• 1) Say what your subject is like (Ex Odysseus is
  like a lion)
• 2) Describe the thing youre comparing it to (Ex
  Description of a lion)
• 3) Remind the audience of what you were
  originally talking about (Ex Odysseus)

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Themes in The Odyssey

• Fate vs. Free Will
• Piety
• Justice
• Pride
• Lies and Deceit

• Tradition and custom
• Suffering
• Loyalty
• Perseverance
• Family

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Fate vs. Free Will

• Is fate/destiny fixed and constant in the text?
• What is the role of gods and goddesses in the
  fate of the characters?

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Piety (devoutness)

• What are some of the characters gestures that
  show deference to the gods?
• What could result from impiety or challenges to
  the gods?

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Justice

• Discuss examples of ways in which characters are
  punished for their transgressions.

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Pride

• Is pride Odysseuss flaw? Why or why not?
• How could pride be dangerous in terms of the
  gods?

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Lies and Deceit

• How does disguise in the Odyssey play into this
  theme? What is its purpose?
• Odysseus is praised for his cunning. Is the
  ability to deceive heroic?

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Tradition and Custom

• Rules of hospitality (term xenia) are among the
  most revered social and religious laws in
  the Odyssey (and Greek culture).
• What are some of the expectations for a host?
• What are the expectations of a guest?
• What were the consequences for breaking
  hospitable obligations?

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Suffering

• In Greek mythology, being human entails
  suffering.
• What forms does suffering does Odysseus
  experience over the course of his journey?

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Loyalty

• Which characters are most loyal?
• What are different types of loyalty in the text?
  
• What cultural double-standard exists in terms of
  Odysseuss versus Penelopes devotion?

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Perseverance

• Specify important examples of both physical and
  emotional perseverance within the text.

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Family

• How does the text showcase the cultural value of
  familial lineage?

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Intertextuality Examples

• Many famous works are inspired by Homers epic
• Virgils epic poem the Aeneid
• Alfred Lord Tennysons poem Ulysses
• James Joyces novel, Ulysses
• countless paintings (check out Henry Fuselis
  Odysseus in front of Scylla and Charybdis)
• Creams song Tales of Brave Ulysses
• The Cohen Brothers movie O Brother, Where Art
  Thou? 
• Whether youre most interested in literature,
  visual art, music, or movies, youve got to read
  Homers Odyssey to see where everybodys getting
  their ideas.