The Odyssey: Epic Journey of a Hero

1. Epic Poetry/Epic Hero

2. What is an Epic? • A long narrative poem describing action, travel, adventures, and heroic episodes. • It is written in a somewhat lyricalstyle. • It may have as many as twenty-four books (chapters). • Typical in an epic poem, it begins with a statement of the theme.

3. Epic Characteristics • The deeds of the hero are presented without favoritism, revealing his failings as well as his virtues. • The action, often in battle, reveals the more-than-human strength of the heroes as they engage in acts of heroism and courage.

4. More Characteristics • Attraction to the muse or other idol/god • Histories and descriptions of significant items (Trojan Horse) • Use of patronymics, calling son by father's name “Laertes’ son" = Odysseus • Long, formal speeches by important characters

5. More Characteristics continued • Journey to the underworld • The setting covers several nations, the whole world, or even the universe. • The episodes, even though they may be fictional, provide an explanation for some of the circumstances or events in the history of a nation or people .

6. Even More Characteristics • The gods and lesser divinities play an active role in the outcome of actions. • All of the various adventures relate in some way to the central theme.

7. Examples: • Homer- Iliad • Homer- Odyssey

8. 8 Elements of an Epic HERO • Supernatural abilities or qualities • On a quest/journey • Hero is tested often to prove he is worthy • Help from mythical people or creatures

9. More Elements of a HERO • Travels to the supernatural world that most humans cannot get to • The hero must get to a very LOW point where he is about to give up the quest. • Goes through a “resurrection” & gets the strength to continue with renewed spirit • Regains his rightful place ( as KING etc.)

10. Homeric Epithet • Description of a character after the person’s name that gives the reader more information about them. • Ex: Odysseus, the man of twists and turns • Ex: Odysseus, son of Laertes

11. The Odyssey

12. Homer Poet Thought to be blind, but describes events as a seeing person. He lived around 850 B.C. and wrote The Iliadand The Odyssey- stories about the war between the Trojans and the Greeks which happened around 1200 B.C.

13. The Iliad • The Iliad tells the story of The Trojan War • The most famous story from TheIliad is that of The Trojan Horse, built by Odysseus and his men. • It is a prelude to The Odyssey

14. The Trojan Horse

15. The Trojan War • War began when Paris, Prince of Troy, kidnapped Helen from her husband Menelaus, King of Sparta. • Odysseus built a giant wooden horse and left it outside of Troy as “a peace offering.” • Troy was defeated when Odysseus and his men were able to get inside the walls of Troy concealed within the body of the Trojan horse.

16. The Odyssey • An epic poemmade up of 24 books • The Odyssey is the story of Odysseus’ adventures on his way home from the war and the events that happen in Ithaca before he returns. • The hero is long-suffering Odysseus, king of Ithaca and its surrounding islands. He is also the hero of the Trojan War. He has been gone 20 years from his homeland, his wife, Penelope, and his son, Telemachus.

17. The Odyssey • The Odyssey takes place in the ten years following the Trojan War. • The epic begins in medias res (“in the middle of things”) • The setting changes throughout the epic.

18. The Odyssey • Incorporates gods & goddesses and supernatural forces • Each of the gods and/or goddesses has something to do with Odysseus & his journey. • Includes strange lands & monsters

19. Theme: Pride and Honor • Odysseus is guilty of excessive pride when he gives his name to Polyphemus (Book 9). • Telemachus needs to gain pride so that he can stand up to the suitors who have dishonored his house.

20. Theme: Temptation • Odysseus cannot resist temptation; he stays on Circe‘s and Calypso’s islands. • His men are tempted by the Lotus Eaters as well as Circe and by greed several times – • causing them to stay too long at the land of the Cicones • to open Aeolus' gift • and finally to eat the cattle of the sun god

21. Theme: Loyalty • Penelope waits faithfully for twenty years for her husband’s return. • Another example is Telemachus, who stands by his father against the suitors.

22. Theme: Perseverance • Penelope and Odysseus are both survivors. • Penelope has kept hope that Odysseus was alive and did not remarry. • Odysseus has been absent for twenty years, ten at the Trojan War and ten more in his journey home.

23. Theme: Vengeance • Poseidon and Odysseus are the most noticeable representatives of the theme of vengeance. • In order to escape from the cave of Polyphemus, Odysseus blinds the one-eyed giant (Book 9). • Unfortunately, the Cyclops is the sea god Poseidon’s son; Odysseus now has a fearsome enemy.

24. Book 9 Characters • Odysseus- The protagonist of The Odyssey. He is a strong and courageous warrior but is mostly known for his wisdom and quick thinking. • He is a favorite of the goddess Athena, who often sends him divine aid. • He is the bitter enemy of Poseidon (antagonist), who dislikes Odysseus because Odysseus blinds Poseidon's son Polyphemus.

25. Book 9 Characters • Calypso- The beautiful nymph who falls in love with Odysseus when he lands on her island. She holds him prisoner for seven years. • Alcinous- King of the Phaeacians, he welcomes Odysseus on his island and hears the story of Odysseus’ wanderings and provides him with safe passage back to Ithaca.

26. Book 9 Characters • Laertes-(mentioned) Odysseus’ father • Zeus- King of gods and men, he sometimes helps Odysseus or permits Athena to help him.

27. Book 9 Characters Athena- Daughter of Zeus and goddess of wisdom & war • She assists Odysseus and Telemachus with divine powers throughout the epic. • She often appears in disguise as Mentor, an old friend of Odysseus Apollo- Son of Zeus and god of the sun, music, poetry, prophecy & medicine

28. Book 9 Characters • Poseidon- the god of the sea, earthquakes & horses. Brother of Zeus, father of Polyphemus • Polyphemus -the cyclops that battles Odysseus.

29. Book 10 Characters • Aeolus- the guardian of the winds • Eurylochus-a trusted officer of Odysseus • Persephone- wife of the ruler of the underworld, Hades • Circe- a goddess and enchantress who lives on the island of Aeaea.

30. Book 10 Characters • Hermes- the messenger god, persuades Calypso to let Odysseus leave her island • Tiresias of Thebes- a blind prophet whose spirit visits Odysseus in the underworld

31. Book 12 Characters • Sirens- creatures, part woman and part bird, whose songs lure sailors to their death • Scylla- 6-headed sea monster who eats sailors • Charybdis- a dangerous whirlpool personified as a female sea monster

32. Book 12 Characters • Helios- the sun god • Laestrygones- cannibals on a distant island

33. Books 21-23 • Antinous- a suitor of Penelope • Eurymachus- a suitor of Penelope

34. Books 21-23 • Telemachus- Odysseus and Penelope’s son • Eumaeus- A servant in Odysseus’ house • Philoetius- A servant in Odysseus’ house • Eurycleai- an old female servant, loyal to Odysseus