By Homer (not Simpson)

The Odyssey

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.

Homer- so who is this guy?

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.

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)

The Iliad

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.

The Odyssey

The OdysseyAn 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

heroShows values & beliefs of a cultureIncludes a journey / questEncompasses vast setting (world)Involves supernatural forcesHero’s actions determine nation’s fate

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.

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.

Oral Tradition

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

The Archetypal Hero

Hero must prove himself many times while on the adventure

Descent into “hell”Hero gains atonementWhen the hero dies he

is rewarded spiritually

The Archetypal Hero

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.

The Characters

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.

The gods and goddesses

Polyphemus- a Cyclops or one-eyed monsterCalypso- 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.

The monsters

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)

Ready, Set, Go…