An epic poem by Homer

The OdysseyEpic poem composed by the Greek poet Homer between 900-700 B.C. (B.C.E.)Main hero is Odysseus (Latin name Ulysses)Adventure story about Odysseus’s voyage home after the Trojan War Sequel to The Iliad, an epic poem also by Homer

Who was Homer?

No one knowsSupposedly a blind, illiterate storytellerRhapsode: a person who recited the epic poems of ancient Greece from memory

What is an epic poem?

A long narrative poem that tells the bold deeds of a great hero, which tells the story of a people at the same time.

Often contains supernatural events, long time periods, distant journeys, and struggles between good and evil.

Characteristics of an epic poem:

Begins with an “Invocation to a Muse”

The Muses were 9 goddesses in charge of literature & art

Daughters of Zeus who inspired poets, musicians, & artists

Epic poems contain . . .

Epic similes

a.k.a. Homeric similes

Elaborate comparisons of unlike subjects

Example from The Odyssey:

“Think of a catch that fishermen haul in to a half-moon bay

In a fine-meshed net from the whitecaps of the sea:

How all are poured out on the sand, in throes for the salt sea,

Twitching their cold lives away in Helios’ fiery air:

So lay the suitors heaped on one another”

Epic poems contain . . .

Epithets

Adjectives or descriptive phrases expressing a characteristic of a person or thing

Examples from The Odyssey:“gray-eyed Athena” for Athena, goddess of wisdom“Laertes’ son” for Odysseus“The Wanderer” for Odysseus“Penelope’s true son” for Telemachus (Telemakhos)

What is an epic hero?

A main character w/ supernatural abilities or qualities (god-like)Possesses traits that embody the ideals of his people (strength, wisdom, courage)Undertakes a dangerous voyage or quest, during which he encounters many supernatural beingsOften visits a supernatural world where regular mortals cannot go

OdysseusKing of Ithaca (Ithaka)Trojan War veteranMember of Achaean (Akhaian) (Greek) armyDevoted husband to PenelopeFather to TelemakhosFamous for his cleverness & cunningWins the war against Troy with the Trojan Horse Strategy.

Characters in The Odyssey

Deities

(gods & goddesses)

ZeusRuler of the gods

God of thunder, rain, & lightning

Husband of Hera (his sister)

Fathered many immortals & mortals

AthenaVirgin goddess of wisdom & warfare

Supported the Akhaeans in the Trojan War

Patron of Odysseus

PoseidonGod of the sea, earthquakes, & horsesBrother of ZeusHates Odysseus for blinding his son, the Cyclops (Kyklops) Polyphemus

HermesMessenger to the godsSon of Zeus and MaiaGod of fertility & guide for souls to the Underworld

Supernatural beings encountered by Odysseus

Polyphemus

Circe (Kirke)

Scylla (Skylla) the Sirens Calypso (Kalypso)

Odysseus’ family

Wife Penelope, who has been waiting 20 years for Odysseus to return

Son Telemakhos, who was a baby when Odysseus left

The Odyssey Vocabulary Week 1baleful—menacing; threatening harm—adj.

beguiling—enchanting; bewitching—adj. or past participle

rapine—the violent seizure of someone’s property—n.

sage—wise—adj.

carouse—to party, usually through drinking—v.

parley—a conference or conversation between opposing groups—n.

abject—extremely bad or degrading—adj.

insolent—boldly rude or disrespectful—adj.

libation—a drink poured as offering to a deity (god or goddess) – n.

stratagem—a clever plan or scheme—n.