The OdysseyThe Odyssey

Background InformationBackground Information

EpicEpic

• EpicEpic- a long narrative - a long narrative poem presenting poem presenting characters of high characters of high position in a series of position in a series of adventuresadventures

• Adventure StoryAdventure Story• Forerunner of the Forerunner of the

novelnovel• Journey of every Journey of every

humanhuman

Myths and MythologyMyths and Mythology

• MythMyth- An anonymous story having roots - An anonymous story having roots in the fold beliefs of a race or nation and in the fold beliefs of a race or nation and presenting supernatural events presenting supernatural events (episodes).(episodes).

• MythologyMythology- all center at common themes. - all center at common themes. Study of myths- attempt to explain Study of myths- attempt to explain creation, guess at the meaning of life creation, guess at the meaning of life and death, account for natural and death, account for natural phenomena, and chronicle the phenomena, and chronicle the adventures of heroes.adventures of heroes.

Epic CharacteristicsEpic Characteristics• Hero is important/ of Hero is important/ of

great significancegreat significance• Setting is vast (covers Setting is vast (covers

many places)many places)• Opens by stating the Opens by stating the

themetheme• Opens in Medias-Res Opens in Medias-Res

(in the middle)(in the middle)• Contains lists of Contains lists of

warriors, ships, armieswarriors, ships, armies

• Supernatural forces at Supernatural forces at work-Gods or demons.work-Gods or demons.

• Style is grandStyle is grand• Action consists of Action consists of

great deeds of valor great deeds of valor and sometimes and sometimes requiring super-requiring super-human strength and human strength and couragecourage

What is an Odyssey?What is an Odyssey?

• DefinitionDefinition- a long - a long wandering voyage- wandering voyage- usually marked by usually marked by many changes of many changes of fortune. An fortune. An intellectual or intellectual or spiritual spiritual wandering.wandering.

Cultural ValuesCultural ValuesOf the Greek SocietyOf the Greek Society

• HonorHonor• CourageCourage• IntelligenceIntelligence• ClevernessCleverness• RevengeRevenge

• Respect for the Respect for the GodsGods

• Loyalty to Loyalty to home and home and familyfamily

• Hospitality/Gift Hospitality/Gift GivingGiving

Qualities of a LeaderQualities of a Leader• Take ControlTake Control• ResponsibilityResponsibility• UnderstandingUnderstanding• PersuasivePersuasive• IntelligentIntelligent• CourageCourage• Talent in an area Talent in an area

(battle)(battle)• Stamina/enduranceStamina/endurance• Strength- emotional & Strength- emotional &

physicalphysical• Has the favor of the Has the favor of the

godsgods• Super-human qualitiesSuper-human qualities

Important CharactersImportant Characters

• Helios- Sun GodHelios- Sun God• Zeus- Ruler of GodsZeus- Ruler of Gods• Calypso- Immortal Calypso- Immortal

GoddessGoddess• Odysseus- Hero Odysseus- Hero

(only he has the (only he has the strength and strength and intelligance and intelligance and favor of the Gods to favor of the Gods to survivesurvive

• Cyclops- one eyed Cyclops- one eyed monster (Poseidon monster (Poseidon is his father)is his father)

Theme & SettingTheme & Setting

• Theme- Odysseus’ search for his Theme- Odysseus’ search for his home and identityhome and identity

• Setting- Troy…….to IthacaSetting- Troy…….to Ithaca

• http://summit.k12.co.us/schools/shs/computer/lfrykholm/map.html

Literary DevicesLiterary Devices

• Homeric SimileHomeric Simile - comparison - comparison (extended) of 2 actions or objects (extended) of 2 actions or objects that develops mounting that develops mounting excitement.excitement.

• EpithetEpithet- a word or phrase used to - a word or phrase used to characterize someone or characterize someone or something- watch the something- watch the Gods/Goddesses Gods/Goddesses

ex: Zeus- Ruler of the Godsex: Zeus- Ruler of the Gods

HowHow

DoesDoes

ItIt

AllAll

Happen….Happen….