The Odyssey, Odysseus, The Odyssey, Odysseus, and the Epic Poemand the Epic Poem

English 1 CP English 1 CP

The OdysseyThe Odyssey

Extended adventurous voyage or tripExtended adventurous voyage or trip Written by HomerWritten by Homer Told the story about most famous Told the story about most famous

Greek event-Trojan WarGreek event-Trojan War

Epic PoemEpic Poem Long narrative poem about the feats of a Long narrative poem about the feats of a

hero (entertainment)hero (entertainment) Hero reflects goals and values of societyHero reflects goals and values of society Taught lessons to listeners/readersTaught lessons to listeners/readers Heroes were included so people would be Heroes were included so people would be

like themlike them Historical fact, legend and truthHistorical fact, legend and truth Incredible deeds and adventuresIncredible deeds and adventures Gods/goddesses help and harass the heroGods/goddesses help and harass the hero Iliad, Odyssey, BeowulfIliad, Odyssey, Beowulf

HomerHomer

Wrote Iliad and Odyssey (Iliad was story of Wrote Iliad and Odyssey (Iliad was story of war, Odyssey takes place after)war, Odyssey takes place after)

BlindBlind Collected stories in 800 B.C. Collected stories in 800 B.C.

• Stories had been sung by Greek minstrelsStories had been sung by Greek minstrels• Some took DAYS to tellSome took DAYS to tell• Set to musicSet to music• So stories were told and listened to more than So stories were told and listened to more than

they were readthey were read

Epic HeroEpic Hero Central figure of an epic (Odysseus)Central figure of an epic (Odysseus) Better than everyone (strength, courage, Better than everyone (strength, courage,

endurance)endurance) ImportantImportant Legend or fact basedLegend or fact based Reflects society Reflects society Pride in reputationPride in reputation Love for family/homelandLove for family/homeland Forceful leaderForceful leader Life is preciousLife is precious kinglykingly

The OdysseyThe Odyssey In media res –in the middle of things In media res –in the middle of things

• Twenty years after Odysseus has left homeTwenty years after Odysseus has left home Trojan War started because Helen was Trojan War started because Helen was

kidnapped by Paris-Helen’s husband is kidnapped by Paris-Helen’s husband is MenelausMenelaus

Three StoriesThree Stories• Telemachus-Odysseus’ sonTelemachus-Odysseus’ son• Travels and adventure of OdysseusTravels and adventure of Odysseus• Odysseus’ return to IthacaOdysseus’ return to Ithaca

The OdysseyThe Odyssey

Odysseus’ difficulties when trying to go Odysseus’ difficulties when trying to go homehome

Trojan War = Greeks vs. TroyTrojan War = Greeks vs. Troy Achaean (Greek) heroes return home after Achaean (Greek) heroes return home after

ten years of fighting a bloody warten years of fighting a bloody war Ten years after end of war (20 yrs total) Ten years after end of war (20 yrs total)

The Odyssey begins- no one has heard The Odyssey begins- no one has heard anything about Odysseusanything about Odysseus

When Odysseus is away, many men begin When Odysseus is away, many men begin to vie for his wife, Penelopeto vie for his wife, Penelope

The OdysseyThe Odyssey

Telemachus (Odysseus’ son) is Telemachus (Odysseus’ son) is twenty years old… he decides to look twenty years old… he decides to look for his dadfor his dad

Why is Odysseus traveling so much? Why is Odysseus traveling so much? • Poseidon (God of the Sea) has punished Poseidon (God of the Sea) has punished

himhim

Part OnePart One

Homer pleads for the muse of poetry to Homer pleads for the muse of poetry to help him tell the story help him tell the story

What is a muse?What is a muse? Odysseus leaves Calypso’s islandOdysseus leaves Calypso’s island Goes to Phaeacia-ruler’s name is AlcinousGoes to Phaeacia-ruler’s name is Alcinous Alcinous offers Odysseus a ship if he talks Alcinous offers Odysseus a ship if he talks

about his adventuresabout his adventures SOOO-Odysseus is talking most of the time SOOO-Odysseus is talking most of the time

in Part Onein Part One

Part TwoPart Two

Odysseus returns to IthacaOdysseus returns to Ithaca

Map of Odysseus’ TravelsMap of Odysseus’ Travels