Mythology

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Mythology

• and
• The Odyssey
• by Homer

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Mythology

• Mythology did not start with the Greeksit has
  existed since the beginning of time.
• Mythology serves 3 basic functions in ALL
  societies. It represents
• Our effort to explain our existence
• Our effort to explain our world
• Our attempt at seeking justice

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Myth

• A myth is
• A story that uses fantasy to express ideas about
  life which cannot be expressed easily in
  realistic terms.

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Polytheism

• Polytheism is the worship of many gods. (Poly
  many) (Theos god)
• The gods of ancient peoples came to represent
  moral attributes
• They were also connected with specific aspects of
  the life that these societies experienced.

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Mythology Today

• The ancient myths are still a part of our culture
  today.
• Myths are alluded to in literature, sports,
  media, and everyday life.
• For example, we see references to mythological
  gods
• Circe god of agriculture (cereal)
• Hermes (Mercury) messenger god (quick and
  prompt) Emblem for FTD florists
• Atlas Greek hero known for his strength (Atlas
  tires are strong!)
• Olympus mountain home of the gods
  (camerasbest, highest quality)

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Greek Mythology

• War of the Titans
• Division of the World
• (Straws were drawn)
• Zeus Heaven
• Poseidon Sea
• Hades Underworld

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The Greek gods

• Physical appearance
• Resemble mortals but stronger and larger
• Live like nobles (need food and drink but do not
  labor)
• Dress like humans and sleep at night
• The gods generally uphold
• virtuous behavior

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The gods up Close

• Powers
• They can change form at will
• They transform mortals
• They can control mortals minds
• Limitations
• They cannot interfere with fate
• They may be interfered with by other gods

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Gods expectations of mortals

• Keep oaths--honesty
• Do not harbor pride, or hubris
• Properly bury the dead--respect others
• Show hospitality to strangers

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Gods and Goddesses To Know

• goddesses
• Hera Queen of the gods Zeus wife and sister
  she seeks revenge on Zeus mortal infidelities.
• Athena favorite daughter of Zeus goddess of
  wisdom/war she favors the Greeks during the
  Trojan War.

• gods
• Zeus King of gods home is Olympus not the
  most moral symbol is lightning bolt.
• Poseidon god of sea earthquakes carries a
  Trident hes very important since Odysseus is
  traveling home from Troy by sea.
• Polyphemus a one-eyed giant (Cyclops)
  Poseidons son.

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Heroes

• The stories of these heroes were popular thenand
  are still read nowbecause we can sympathize with
  their experience of feeling lost in a world of
  difficult choices.

• In Greek mythology, heroes occupy a special
  position in life they are below the gods but
  above other mortals.

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The Odyssey

• Odyssey a voyage or long journey marked by
  wanderings, adventures, and hardships
• Hero in The Odyssey Odysseus (Ulysses)
• Named after the hero, Odysseus
• The Odyssey covers his 10-year journey home to
  Ithaca after the war
• His journey is difficult because some gods had
  wanted the Trojans to win (they thought the Greek
  victory was unfair, so they were angry with
  Odysseus)

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3 Plots in The Odyssey

• Events that happen to Odysseus wife and son as
  they await his journey home to Ithaca
• Odysseus wanderings during his 10-year journey
  home after the Trojan War
• Odysseus return home and joint effort with his
  son, Telemachus, to defeat their enemies

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Causes of the Trojan WAr

• It started as a beauty contest the prize was a
  beautiful golden apple
• The contestants were Hera, Athena, and
  Aphrodite
• Zeus declined to judge, so Paris of Troy became
  the judge
• Paris was asked, Who is the most beautiful
  goddess?

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A Momentous decision

• The three goddesses each promised Paris gifts in
  exchange for winning
• Hera promised power, a happy home, and a good
  life
• Athena promised wisdom and respect
• Aphrodite promised the love of the most beautiful
  woman in the world
• Who do you think wins?...

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• APHRODITE, OF COURSE!!!

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Many Consequences

• And the most beautiful woman is
• Helen of Troy!
• Many men have fought over Helen (daughter of Zeus
  and Leda) because of of of her beauty.
• Long ago, Odysseus promised that when she chose a
  husband, no one would harm him or else Odysseus
  would kill the aggressor.
• Helen married King Menelaus of Sparta, Greece.

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The Plot Thickens

• Paris wants to marry Helen and reminds Aphrodite
  of her promise.
• Aphrodite uses her power to get Helen to leave
  her husband, elope with Paris, and return with
  him to Troy.
• Menelaus calls on Odysseus to keep his promise.
  Odysseus really doesnt want to go because hes
  happy in Ithaca however, he follows through with
  his word keeping the oath of honor.

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Last Effort

• But first Odysseus makes one last bid for
  freedom when the draft board comes to call him
  to the war, Odysseus pretends to be insane by
  dressing like a peasant and plowing the field.
  The draft board is too smart for him, though
  they throw his infant son in front of the plow.
  Odysseus of course refuses to run over his son,
  so his disguise evaporates, and he knows he has
  to honor his oath and go to war.

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The Great War

• The Greeks assemble an armythe war lasts 10
  years, and the Greeks cannot get inside the walls
  of Troy.
• Odysseus eventually creates the Trojan Horse.
• It is a giant wooden horse that is hollow inside.
• The Greek army packs up and takes off, leaving
  the Trojan horse outside the gates.

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The Great Trick

• The Trojans pull the horse into their city,
  thinking it is a gift or an offering to the gods.
• Greek soldiers are hiding inside the horses
  stomach.
• At night, the Greeks sneak out and take the city
  by surprise, opening the gates to let in the rest
  of the Greek army, which had only been hiding out
  of sight of the city.

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Problems

• Odysseus doesnt give credit to the godsthis
  shows pride, or HUBRIS
• Poseidon, who supported Troy, is angry with
  Odysseus for winning and for his hubris.
• Poseidon warns Odysseus it will be a LONG journey
  home.

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This is where

• The Odysseybegins

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Behind the Odyssey

• The Odyssey was written by a man named Homer.
  According to the Greek tradition, Homer was a
  blind minstrel from the island of Chios.

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Epic

• An epic is a long narrative poem telling about
  the adventures of a hero who embodies the values
  of his particular civilization.
• An epic teaches the virtues and value systems of
  the society that produced the epic.

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The Rhapsodes

• A minstrel like Homer would also be called a
  rhapsode. Rhapsodes were wandering singers of
  talesthey were the historians, entertainers and
  myth-makers of their cultures. There was no TV or
  internet, and the Greeks didnt have a common
  religious text like a Bible or other book.

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Minstrels

• So the rhapsodes, or minstrels, were very
  important in ancient societies, because they were
  the source of news and fun they went from
  community to community to report the news and to
  entertain people.

• Minstrels tied communities together.

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Epic Style

• When a minstrel told an epic, he would often use
  formulas expressions that are repeated.
• The audience could recognize the formulas a
  formula helped the listener to rememberand
  helped the minstrel to remember the story himself!

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The Homeric Simile

• The Homeric simile is a special kind of simile
  often used in Homers writing. It is also called
  an epic simile.
• It is an extended comparison of heroic or epic
  events to simple, everyday events that are easily
  recognizable.