THE ODYSSEY REVIEW NOTES

English I Pre-IB

Ms. Walden

POSEIDON Moody Presides Over the Sea Trident

HERMES Mischevious Messenger God Winged Sandal and the Caduceus

ATHENA Goddess of Wisdom The Owl and The Olive Tree Zeus’ Daughter Born of a Headache

APOLLO Sun God “Arrows of Plague” Lyre

MUSES Knowledge and Arts Calliope

GREEK MILITARY HISTORY Hoplites Phalanx

GREEK POLITICS AND SOCIETY Ekklesia, Boule, Dikasteria Free Men and Slaves Enslavement Rules and Methods Role of Women

GREEK PHILOSOPHY SPA- Socrates, Plato, Aristotle Pythagoras Physical and Natural Sciences Rhetoric

GREEK ARTS Pottery/ Visual Art Theater/ Comedy, Tragedy, Satire Epic Poetry/ Oral Tradition

EPIC SIMILE Uses “LIKE” or “AS” Lengthy

EPIC SIMILEJust as an angler poised on a jutting rock

flings his treacherous bait in the offshore swell,whips his long rod—hook sheathed in an oxhorn lure

—and whisks up little fish he flips on the beach-break,

writhing, gasping out their lives . . . so now theywrithed,

gasping as Scylla swung them up her cliff and thereat her cavern’s mouth she bolted them down raw—screaming out, flinging their arms down toward me,

lost in that mortal struggle . . .

EPIC SIMILEHer mind in torment, wheeling like some

lion at bay, dreading the gangs of hunters closing their cunning ring

around him for the finish.

EPITHET Multi-Adjective Descriptions Personal Characteristics/ Major Traits

Laerte’s SonThe Kingly ManThe wandering soulThe Old SoldierThe skilled and ample marksman

ESSAY OPTION Consider Part 2 of the Odyssey as a set

of problems and solutions. After being gone for twenty years, Odysseus has a number of problems to deal with when he returns to Ithaca. Identify three problems Odysseus faces. Explain how he solved each problem and describe the consequences of his actions.

ESSAY OPTION In literature, as in life, people must

decide from among alternative courses of action. Select an example from the Odyssey in which the story might have ended differently if a character had acted differently. Cite examples to support your speculation.

ESSAY OPTION Homer’s Odyssey has been described as

a timeless success because of its profound expression of the triumph and frustration of human life. It is not only a story of a heroic battle but also of people’s advice, questions, requests, hopes, and desires. Discuss how The Odyssey expresses the “triumph and frustration of human life.”

ESSAY OPTION The character and actions of Penelope

reflect ideas about the ideal woman in early Greek society. For example, she was expected to maintain her loyalty to her husband in the most difficult circumstances. Discuss some other aspects of the woman’s role as exemplified by Penelope. Then compare and contrast the woman’s role in early Greek society with that of today’s society.

ESSAY OPTION As an epic hero, Odysseus embodies

qualities valued by his society. Do you think Odysseus meets our society’s expectations of a hero? Develop an argument about whether or not the actions of Odysseus are compatible with contemporary American values. Support your argument with examples from the Odyssey.

ESSAY OPTION Epic heroes are figures of larger-than-life

stature who exemplify character traits valued by their societies. It has been said that although Odysseus is one of the greatest of Greek epic heroes, he is not perfect; he has flaws and makes mistakes. Do you agree or disagree with this statement? Explain your position, supporting it with examples from the selection.

ESSAY STRUCTURE INTRODUCTION—

Hook Clear, concise thesis

BODY2-3 paragraphsStrong logic and reasoningTextual examples

CONCLUSION

TEST NOTES Be sure to review the information from

the notes about the Hero’s Journey and Conventions of an Epic as well!