Homer

1
Homers The Odyssey
2
Characteristics of the Epic

• An Epic is told in the form of a long narrative
  poem.
• Remember Narrative Poetry tells a story with
  plot, characters, conflicts, and settings.
• It tells the adventures of an epic hero, a larger
  than life figure who undertakes great journeys
  and performs deeds requiring remarkable strength
  and cunning.

3
Elements of the Epic

• 1.) Epic Hero Qualities are-
• a. Possesses super human strength and
  confidence
• b. Is helped and harmed by the gods
• c. Embodies ideals and values that a culture
  consider admirable
• d. emerges victorious from perilous situations

4
Elements of the Epic

• 2.) Epic Plot Involves a long journey, full of
  complications, such as
• a. strange creatures
• b. divine intervention
• c. large-scale events
• d. treacherous weather

5
Elements of the Epic

• 3.) Epic Setting
• a. Includes fantastic or exotic lands
• b. Involves more than 1 nation

6
Elements of the Epic

• 4.) Archetypes (define) characters, situations,
  and images that are recognizable in many times
  and cultures
• a. sea monster d. epic hero
• b. wicked temptress e. loyal servant
• c. buried treasure f. suitors contest

7
Elements of an Epic

• 5.) Epic Themes Reflect such universal concerns
  as
• a. courage d. life death
• b. a homecoming e. beauty
• c. the fate of a nation f. loyalty

8
The Language of Homer

• a. Similes a comparison between 2 unlike things,
  using the word like or as.
• b. Epic Similes goes on at great length and
  several lines

9
The Language of Homer

• c. Epithets a brief descriptive phrase used to
  characterize a particular person or thing.
• son of Leartes or raider of cities
• d. Allusions a reference to a famous person,
  place, or event.

10
Background Information

• A. Greek Mythology
• Knowledge of Greek Mythology begins with Homers
  Epics, the oldest written record of ancient
  Greece.

11
Background Information

• B. About the Author
• Historians credit Homer with composing the Iliad
  and the Odyssey, but many scholars still debate
  on whether Homer was actually a real person.
  According to ancient accounts, he lived sometime
  between 900 700 BC, possibly on the island of
  Chios in the eastern Aegean Sea. They also
  believe that he was blind.

12
Background Information

• C. The Trojan War
• This legendary war occurred sometime around
  1200 B.C. According to legend, the war began
  after a Trojan Prince kidnapped the beautiful
  Helen from her husband Menelaus, King of Sparta.
  The King enlisted the help of soldiers from all
  over Greece to help him get his wife back. They
  held Troy under siege for 10 years.

13
Background Information

• It was the cleverness of Odysseus that helped end
  the war by making the Trojans think that they had
  finally given up. He had his soldiers build a
  wooden horse and left it at the gates of Troy.
  The Trojans believed that it was a peace
  offering, and brought it into the city. Little
  did they know, there were soldiers hiding inside
  of the horse, and Troy was doomed.

14
Background Information

• D. The Heroic Story of Odysseus
• The Odyssey deals with Odysseus adventures as
  he makes his way home from Troy. He encounters
  various monsters who try to devour him, and
  enchanting women who try to keep him from his
  wife, Penelope. Odysseus cunning and his ability
  to get himself out of difficult situations is
  what sets him apart from others and makes him a
  true Epic Hero.

15
Story Setting

• This story takes place on the islands of the
  Mediterranean Sea possibly around 1200 B.C