Odyssey by Homer
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Transcript of Odyssey by Homer
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Odyssey by Homer
General Characteristicsof an Epic
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Originally intended to be sung or recited to music
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Written down after centuries of oral transmission
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Deities and other supernatural agencies are often involved in
human affairs
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Has national interest and has a national bias
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Generated by periods of upheaval, of struggle and
adventure
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Often, the principal characters are larger-than-life demigods (descendants of deities )or heroes
of immense stature and strength
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The subject of the poem is announced in the opening lines in an invocation to
the Muse where the poet calls for divine assistance to tell his
tales.
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Single combat is a common
plot devise
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The true epic is long (the Iliad and Odyssey each
contain 24 books) and dignified.
(courtly address and epithet are common)
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Geographical settings are wide: the action of the Odyssey occurs across all of the known world of the Greeks overa 20 year period.
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Elements of Epic Style
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Repetition: directions and reports are repeated, later incidents seem to echo earlier incidents; epithets are constantly applied to certain proper nouns such as “rosy-fingered Dawn” and “horse-taming Hector.” Names are symbolic: Odysseus = “Man of Woe,” for he both gives and receives suffering.
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Long, formal speechessuch as challenges, narratives, flashbacks, and points of debate occur within the midst of the action
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Characters are commonly revealed in dialogue. Speeches are often followed by such phrases as “thus he spoke” to emphasize that the words are those of a character and not of the narrator.
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Elevated, literary
language is the norm- even
servants speak in dignified
verse.
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Patronymics
The manner of address between characters. Itis wordy and courtly.“I am Laertes’ son.” Odysseus.
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Catalogues
Lengthy lists, particularly of leaders and their military troops
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Epics include:
•A chief god balancing the scales of fate.•A long and arduous journey for the hero•Weapons of supernatural origin•A descent into the Underworld
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•The poet opens in the midst of theaction (“in medias res”) rather thanat the beginning.
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Characteristics of the Epic Hero
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1. The hero possessesdistinctive weapons of great size and power, often heirlooms or presents from the gods.
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2. The hero is introduced in the midst of turmoil, at a point well into the story, action will be recounted in flashbacks.3. The hero is not only a warrior and a leader, but also a polished speaker.
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4. The hero must undertake a long, perilous journey, often involving a descent into theUnderworld, which tests his endurance, courage, and cunning.
5. Whatever values his race most prizes, the epic hero possesses in abundance.
“Resourceful Odysseus”
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6. The hero has a group of noble followers. Although his fellows may be great warriors, the hero undertakes a task that no one else dare attempt.
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7. The hero establishes his nobility through single combat . He gains great honor by challenging heroes like himself or adversaries of superhuman power.
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8. The two epic adversaries, the hero and his antagonist, meet at the climax which must be delayed as long as possible tosustain maximum interest.
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9. The hero’s epic adversary is often a “god-despiser,,” one who has more respect for his own mental and physical abilities than for the power of the gods.
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10. The hero mayencounter a divine or supernaturalforce that he must use strength, cunning, and divineassistance to overcome.
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The end