Homer’s

1. Homer’s • THE ODYSSEY

2. ODYSSEY • Is a Greek word, meaning “the tale of Odysseus.” This book is concerned with the adventures and exploits of Odysseus, a hero of the Trojan War. • The Odyssey is great poetry and one of the foundation stones of the western world’s cultural heritages. It is also, in a sense, the earliest and one of the finest books ever written.

3. Homer • Little is known about Homer. • Probably lived and wrote sometime in the 8th or 9th centuries B.C. • More than likely he came from the Island of Chios, on the western coast of Asia Minor. • The dialect in which he composed his works is that of the Asian (Ionian) Greeks. • Tradition has visualized Homer as blind. • Author of the Iliad and the Odyssey.

4. Synopsis: Part One • In the Invocation(pg 813 ) , the poet capsulizes major adventures of Odysseus. • Odysseusbegins recounting his travels to King Alcinous: Weathering storms, he and his men reach the land of Lotus Eaters. • When they lose all desire to leave, he forces them to ships. • In the land of Cyclopes, Odysseus and twelve men explore the cave of Polyphemus and are trapped.

5. Synopsis: Cont • The giant eats six of Odysseus’ men before the general contrives a plan for escape. • They get the giant drunk, and, when he falls asleep, blind him with a sharpened tree trunk. • In the morning, when he rolls the stone from his cave opening, the adventurers tie themselves to the bellies of the sheep and escape. • Odysseus wisely tells Polyphemus his name as he sails away.

6. ACTIVE READINGSTRATEGIES • List things you have discovered so far that Odysseus values. • On page 817, identify the metaphor and explain why it is appropriate for the Cyclops. • Compare the Host Maron to the Cyclops and his treatment of the men (pg 817, lines 84-94.)

7. Group WOrk • Analyzing- Part One • Pg 829 • #’s 1-10 • When finished under Extend Your Response complete “A Hero’s Actions.