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The Odyssey

The Odyssey. By Homer (not S impson). Homer- so who is this guy?. There are numerous theories about Homer. Here is some of what we know: Homer is an ancient Greek story teller and court singer. He was born around 8 th century B.C. He was blind . He wrote The Iliad and The Odyssey .

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The Odyssey

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  1. The Odyssey By Homer (not Simpson)

  2. Homer- so who is this guy? • There are numerous theories about Homer. Here is some of what we know: • Homer is an ancient Greek story teller and court singer. • He was born around 8th century B.C. • He was blind. • He wrote The Iliad and The Odyssey.

  3. The Iliad • The story of the fight over the city of Troy. Actually it is more about a fight over a woman. • Helen is the most beautiful woman and although she is married to a Spartan, she is taken by the Trojan, Paris. • This begins that war over Helen and Troy. This turns into a 10 year battle and The Iliad actually begins in year 9 of the war.

  4. The Iliad • There are many key players in this epic poem including: Hektor, Achilles, Paris, and Helen. • The end of the Iliad is the defeat of Troy with the Trojan Horse. (Odysseus’ idea)

  5. The Odyssey • Odysseus is the main character of The Odyssey. • The poem is about his journey. • You need to know a few things before you dig in.

  6. The Odyssey • An odyssey is “a long adventurous journey or trip.” • The story of The Odyssey is an epic poem. Therefore, it will help you to know what an Epic is. • Long, narrative poem about the adventures of a hero • Shows values & beliefs of a culture • Includes a journey / quest • Encompasses vast setting (world) • Involves supernatural forces • Hero’s actions determine nation’s fate

  7. Oral tradition • This means that The Odyssey was meant to be heard, not just read. • At the time The Odyssey was composed, there were not written records available to everyone. • It is thought that the epics we know today are the result of generations of storytellers passing on the material until finally, somehow, someone wrote it.

  8. Oral Tradition • In the days before near-universal literacy, bards would sing or chant their people's stories. • They employed various (mnemonic) techniques to aid in their own memory and to help their listeners keep track of the story. • This oral tradition was a way to keep the history or culture of the people alive, and since it was a form of story-telling, it was a popular entertainment.

  9. The Archetypal Hero • Leaves family or lands and live with others • An event (usually traumatic) leads to an adventure or quest • Hero has a special weapon only he can yield • Hero has supernatural help

  10. The Archetypal Hero • Hero must prove himself many times while on the adventure • Descent into “hell” • Hero gains atonement • When the hero dies he is rewarded spiritually

  11. The Characters • Odysseus- main character of the story; has many important attributes including: strength and courage. The most important trait is his intelligence or craftiness. • Penelope- wife of Odysseus; she waits for Odysseus while he is on his journey and is true to her husband throughout his long journey. • Telemachus- son of Odysseus and Penelope; was only an infant when his father left on his journey.

  12. The gods and goddesses • Athena- daughter of Zeus, goddess of wisdom and battle. She helps Odysseus and his family. • Zeus- king of gods and men; rules on Olympus; known for his thunderbolt. • Poseidon- god of the sea; Odysseus angers him and that is part of the reason for his long and difficult journey. • Circe- goddess and enchantress who has the power to change men into animals.

  13. The monsters • Polyphemus- a Cyclops or one-eyed monster • Calypso- a nymph who falls in love with Odysseus; she keeps him on her islands for many years. • Scylla- monster with 6 heads. • Charybdis- monster who creates a whirlpool with her mouth and sucks in sailors 3 times a day. • Siren- a sea monster who sings and lures sailors to their death.

  14. Ready, Set, Go… • Just keep in mind that Odysseus is a tragic hero and that means that he has faults too. • You can do two projects with this story: • 1. Create your own monster- you will need to build the monster and write a description of the monster. • 2. Create your own hero- you will need to explain how the hero fits the archetypal hero qualities. (check out the explanations on the Archetypal Hero slide)

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