Greek Mythology

Trojan War Background Information

Wedding on Mount Olympus

Discord not invited- revenge

- golden apple- “for the most

beautiful”

Athena, Hera, Aphrodite fought

Zeus says Paris will choose

Hera offered power, riches

Athena offered glory in war

Aphrodite offered the fairest woman

Paris chose Aphrodite

Problem:

The most beautiful mortal—Helen—is already married!

“The face that launched a thousand ships”

What was the Trojan War?

Greeks King Menelaus Helen’s husband

King Agamemnon Menelaus’ brother

Achilles fierce warrior

Odysseus wise tactician (skilled

in tactics)

TrojansPrince Paris Helen’s lover

Prince Hector Paris’ brother

King Priam Paris & Hector’s father

Fought over Helen, the most beautiful woman in the world

Who won the war? How?

Greeks built large wooden horse Hid their ships Trojans thought Greeks went home

and horse was a gift Trojans brought horse into the city

and celebrated At night, men hiding inside horse climbed out and destroyed Troy

Homer’s The Odyssey

The story of how Odysseus returned home after the Trojan War.

The first epic. Star Wars, Lord of the Rings, Lion King, The Matrix, Ender’s Game, Harry Potter etc...are all epics.

Who was Homer?

blind Greek poet wandered from town to town entertained with poems lived in 700 BCE

--OR-- several people who wrote The

Iliad and The Odyssey?

Who was Odysseus?

King of Ithaca Husband of Penelope Father of Telemachus Clever, witty, convincing Wanders on long journey home for

ten years after Trojan War

Why is Odysseus important?

Hero of The Odyssey One of few epic heroes:

What is an epic hero?

Seem larger than life Descended from or favored by gods Participate in journey or quest where his worthiness is

tested He encounters woman who hinder his progress. Interacts with mythical beings and has human and

animal helpers/companions Hero reaches a low point where he gives up or is

apparently defeated, but is followed by a resurrection. Embody beliefs of their culture Are smarter, stronger, braver, etc. Possess human weakness

usually hubris: arrogance or pride

What is an epic?

Long, narrative poem written in an elevated style

Contains: Adventure Central, heroic figure Vast setting (covers lots of distance/nations) Hero is required to perform deeds of

superhuman courage. Supernatural forces (gods)

What is an epic?

Usually begins in medias res. Latin for “in the middle of things” Skips over the exposition

Invokes the gods, sometimes by praying to a muse poet prays the god will help him tell the story

What is an epic?

Uses epithets (descriptive word added to a name) to characterize or describe people or things “wise wanderer Odysseus” “bright-eyed Athena” “rosy-fingered dawn”

Uses heavy repetition