The Odyssey The Odyssey By: Homer By: Homer

Robert Fitzgerald TranslationRobert Fitzgerald Translation

Summary and Discussion of Books Summary and Discussion of Books 1-81-8

The Trojan WarThe Trojan War

We just watched the movie clip from We just watched the movie clip from the movie Troythe movie Troy

Who won the Trojan War?Who won the Trojan War? Who thought of the idea of the Trojan Who thought of the idea of the Trojan

horse?horse? How long have they been fighting?How long have they been fighting? Now what? Where are the Greeks Now what? Where are the Greeks

headed to? Who is their leader?headed to? Who is their leader?

MapMap

Check out the map at the beginning Check out the map at the beginning of your novel – where is Troy of your novel – where is Troy located?located?

Where are Odysseus and his men Where are Odysseus and his men headed?headed?

Locate Ithaka (Ithaca) on your map Locate Ithaka (Ithaca) on your map and circle it and draw a line to Troy.and circle it and draw a line to Troy.

Terms to know…Terms to know… MuseMuse - in Greco-Roman religion and mythology, any of a group of - in Greco-Roman religion and mythology, any of a group of

sister goddesses of obscure but ancient origin. There were nine sister goddesses of obscure but ancient origin. There were nine Muses as early as Homer's Muses as early as Homer's Odyssey,Odyssey, and Homer invokes either a and Homer invokes either a Muse or the Muses collectively from time to time.Muse or the Muses collectively from time to time.

NymphNymph-any of a large class of minor female divinities; Nymphs were -any of a large class of minor female divinities; Nymphs were usually associated with features of the natural world, such as trees usually associated with features of the natural world, such as trees and water. Though not immortal, they were extremely long-lived, and and water. Though not immortal, they were extremely long-lived, and they tended to be well disposed toward humans.they tended to be well disposed toward humans.

BardBard - a poet, especially one who writes impassioned, lyrical, or epic - a poet, especially one who writes impassioned, lyrical, or epic verse.verse.

MinstrelMinstrel - Wandering musician of the Middle Ages, often of low - Wandering musician of the Middle Ages, often of low status.status.

OdysseyOdyssey - a long wandering or voyage usually marked by many - a long wandering or voyage usually marked by many changes of fortune; an intellectual or spiritual wandering or quest changes of fortune; an intellectual or spiritual wandering or quest

SuitorSuitor - one who courts a woman or seeks to marry her - one who courts a woman or seeks to marry her The Greeks believed in hospitality and honoring their Gods The Greeks believed in hospitality and honoring their Gods

(making sacrifices)(making sacrifices)

Book I – A Goddess IntervenesBook I – A Goddess IntervenesPages 1-15 (you read as Pages 1-15 (you read as

homework)homework) Summary – Athena (who is Athena?) Summary – Athena (who is Athena?)

convinces Zeus (who is Zeus?) to convinces Zeus (who is Zeus?) to release Odysseus from Calypso release Odysseus from Calypso (Kalypso) and Athena gives advice to (Kalypso) and Athena gives advice to Telemachus (who is he?)Telemachus (who is he?)

What is a nymph? What is a muse?What is a nymph? What is a muse? Athena visits Telemachus Athena visits Telemachus disguiseddisguised

as a family friend (Mentes) and tells as a family friend (Mentes) and tells him to go find out about his fatherhim to go find out about his father

Book II Summary – A Hero’s Book II Summary – A Hero’s Son AwakensSon AwakensPages 19-31Pages 19-31

Telemachus faces the suitors and Telemachus faces the suitors and then sets sail to find his father (how then sets sail to find his father (how long has he been gone?)long has he been gone?)

Foreshadowing – he prays to Zeus for Foreshadowing – he prays to Zeus for vengeance against the suitorsvengeance against the suitors

What is a suitor?What is a suitor? How do the suitors treat How do the suitors treat

Telemachus? Telemachus?

Book III Summary – The Lord of Book III Summary – The Lord of the Western Approachesthe Western Approaches

Telemachus visits Prince Nestor from Pylos Telemachus visits Prince Nestor from Pylos that fought with his father in Troy to that fought with his father in Troy to inquire about his father, but does not inquire about his father, but does not receive much information.receive much information.

He then leaves (by horse) Pylos at the end He then leaves (by horse) Pylos at the end of this chapter to Lakedaimon to visit with of this chapter to Lakedaimon to visit with Menelaus and see if he has heard anything Menelaus and see if he has heard anything – he also fought in Troy with his father– he also fought in Troy with his father

Peisistratos, Prince Nestor’s son joins him Peisistratos, Prince Nestor’s son joins him on his journey to Lakedaimonon his journey to Lakedaimon

Book 4 Summary – The Red-Book 4 Summary – The Red-Haired King and his ladyHaired King and his lady

Telemachus visits with Menelaus and he Telemachus visits with Menelaus and he learns of the suitors. He then tells learns of the suitors. He then tells Telemachus where Odysseus is (Kalypso’s Telemachus where Odysseus is (Kalypso’s island) and he is alive. The suitors plan an island) and he is alive. The suitors plan an assassination upon Telemachus’ return assassination upon Telemachus’ return homehome

Athena appears disguised to Penelope in Athena appears disguised to Penelope in a dream and she learns of the plans by the a dream and she learns of the plans by the suitors and Athena gives her hope for her suitors and Athena gives her hope for her son and Odysseusson and Odysseus

Read Page 78 onlyRead Page 78 only

Book 5 – Sweet Nymph and Book 5 – Sweet Nymph and Open Sea Pages 81-95Open Sea Pages 81-95

Book 5Book 5 – (we will read most of Book 5 – (we will read most of Book 5 together as a class) Zeus agrees to send together as a class) Zeus agrees to send Hermes to Calypso’s island upon Athena’s plea Hermes to Calypso’s island upon Athena’s plea to demand Odysseus’ release. He is provided to demand Odysseus’ release. He is provided with provisions as he leaves, but Poseidon sets with provisions as he leaves, but Poseidon sets a huge storm that nearly kills Odysseus. He a huge storm that nearly kills Odysseus. He washes up on the shore of the Phaecians.washes up on the shore of the Phaecians.

Who is Hermes? How long has Odysseus been Who is Hermes? How long has Odysseus been with Calypso (Kalypso)?? So…that means he with Calypso (Kalypso)?? So…that means he has been away from home how long…has been away from home how long…

QuestionQuestion

Why would Odysseus leave Why would Odysseus leave immortality?immortality?

The Odyssey is often viewed as a The Odyssey is often viewed as a metaphor as a whole and then with metaphor as a whole and then with each adventure along the way.each adventure along the way.

What is Calypso’s island a metaphor What is Calypso’s island a metaphor for and what universal truth can you for and what universal truth can you come up with for his visit on her come up with for his visit on her island?island?

Book 6 – The Princess at the Book 6 – The Princess at the River River PagesPages

Where does Odysseus end up and how Where does Odysseus end up and how did he get there? (Page 94 & 95)did he get there? (Page 94 & 95)

Why did the Phaecians (Phaiakians) Why did the Phaecians (Phaiakians) migrate to Skheria (Scheria)? Page 99migrate to Skheria (Scheria)? Page 99

Nausikaa found Odysseus – daughter Nausikaa found Odysseus – daughter of Alkinoos (Read page 107-108)of Alkinoos (Read page 107-108)

Does Athena reveal herself to Does Athena reveal herself to Odysseus at the end of this chapter?Odysseus at the end of this chapter?

Book 7 – Gardens and Book 7 – Gardens and FirelightFirelight

Read Book 7 and 9 on your own for Read Book 7 and 9 on your own for homeworkhomework

Book 7 is story telling time…they are Book 7 is story telling time…they are all interested in Odysseus and he is all interested in Odysseus and he is telling them of his journey…this telling them of his journey…this literary element is called a literary element is called a ____________________________

Focus on the culture of the PhaeciansFocus on the culture of the Phaecians Read closely about how Odysseus Read closely about how Odysseus

ended up on their islandended up on their island

Book 8 – The Songs of the Book 8 – The Songs of the HarperHarper

A blind bard (Demodocus) sings of the A blind bard (Demodocus) sings of the battle of Troy and everyone listens except battle of Troy and everyone listens except Odysseus because it is too painfulOdysseus because it is too painful

Why is it too painful?Why is it too painful? There are games “Olympics” and There are games “Olympics” and

Odysseus defeats themOdysseus defeats them This chapter was mainly about This chapter was mainly about

entertainment and to again tell of the entertainment and to again tell of the emotional condition of Odysseusemotional condition of Odysseus

Where is he still?Where is he still?

Book 9 – New Coasts and Book 9 – New Coasts and Poseidon’s SonPoseidon’s Son

Who is Laertes?Who is Laertes? He finally reveals who he (Odysseus) He finally reveals who he (Odysseus)

is and we have a is and we have a FLASHBACKFLASHBACK He describes his homeland which is….He describes his homeland which is…. First he lands where…then where…First he lands where…then where…

create a timeline in your notescreate a timeline in your notes You read on your own tonight! Please You read on your own tonight! Please

annotate as you read.annotate as you read.

Book 9 Book 9

What happened at Ismaros where the What happened at Ismaros where the Kikones live?Kikones live?

What would be a metaphor or a What would be a metaphor or a universal truth for this island?universal truth for this island?

Next stop was where?Next stop was where? What would be a metaphor or a What would be a metaphor or a

universal truth for this island?universal truth for this island?

Book 9 ContinuedBook 9 Continued What is Odysseus’ motive for staying at the Kyklops’ What is Odysseus’ motive for staying at the Kyklops’

island? (page 151)island? (page 151) What was problem # 1 that they faced with the What was problem # 1 that they faced with the

Kyklops?Kyklops? Does the Kyklops honor strangers and respect the Does the Kyklops honor strangers and respect the

gods?gods? What is ironic at the bottom of page 158?What is ironic at the bottom of page 158? How do Odysseus and his men escape?How do Odysseus and his men escape? Does Odysseus just leave after they escape…what Does Odysseus just leave after they escape…what

does he do next?does he do next? What is Polyphemus’ prayer? (page 161)What is Polyphemus’ prayer? (page 161) Did Odysseus make an offering to the gods and what Did Odysseus make an offering to the gods and what

was the result? (page 161)was the result? (page 161) Odysseus lost some of his men to Polyphemus because Odysseus lost some of his men to Polyphemus because

of…of…

Book 9 ContinuedBook 9 Continued

His prideHis pride ArroganceArrogance CuriosityCuriosity

Book 9 ContinuedBook 9 Continued

What would the metaphor be for the What would the metaphor be for the Kyklops adventure or the universal Kyklops adventure or the universal truth?truth?

Map of Map of The OdysseyThe Odyssey

FYIFYI

You can print these notes off of my You can print these notes off of my website in outline form.website in outline form.

Go to my website under Go to my website under The OdysseyThe Odyssey and click on this powerpoint.and click on this powerpoint.

Click on “outline view” and print.Click on “outline view” and print.

Epic SimileEpic Simile

SimileSimile Explicit comparison, often using “like” Explicit comparison, often using “like”

or “as”or “as” Reveals unexpected likeness between Reveals unexpected likeness between

twotwo

seemingly disparate thingsseemingly disparate things Not just literary embellishment, but toolNot just literary embellishment, but tool

of thought, way of seeingof thought, way of seeing

Epic Simile – also known as Epic Simile – also known as Homeric SimileHomeric Simile

Most prestigious kind of simileMost prestigious kind of simile Lengthy comparison between two highlyLengthy comparison between two highly complex objects, actions, or relationscomplex objects, actions, or relations Invention attributed to Homeric poemsInvention attributed to Homeric poems Creates contrastCreates contrast Establishes digressionEstablishes digression Amplifies themesAmplifies themes Later poets make it integral to epicLater poets make it integral to epic structure and traditionstructure and tradition

Example: Example: Iliad Iliad 6.146-496.146-49

““As is the generation of leaves, so is that ofAs is the generation of leaves, so is that of

humanity. The wind scatters the leaves onhumanity. The wind scatters the leaves on

the ground, but the live timber burgeonsthe ground, but the live timber burgeons

with leaves again in the season of springwith leaves again in the season of spring

returning. So one generation of men willreturning. So one generation of men will

grow while another dies.”grow while another dies.”

Odyssey Book 12 - SkyllaOdyssey Book 12 - Skylla

Just as an angler poised on a jutting rockJust as an angler poised on a jutting rockflings his treacherous bait in the offshore swell,flings his treacherous bait in the offshore swell,whips his long rod—hook sheathed in an oxhorn lurewhips his long rod—hook sheathed in an oxhorn lure

——and whisks up little fish he flips on the beach-break,and whisks up little fish he flips on the beach-break,writhing, gasping out their lives . . . so now theywrithing, gasping out their lives . . . so now theywrithed,writhed,gasping as Scylla swung them up her cliff and theregasping as Scylla swung them up her cliff and thereat her cavern’s mouth she bolted them down raw—at her cavern’s mouth she bolted them down raw—screaming out, flinging their arms down toward me,screaming out, flinging their arms down toward me,lost in that mortal struggle . . .lost in that mortal struggle . . .

Odyssey Book 12 - Odyssey Book 12 - KharybdisKharybdis

““But I held on, dead set . . . waiting for herBut I held on, dead set . . . waiting for herto vomit my mast and keel back up again—to vomit my mast and keel back up again—Oh how I ached for both! And back they came,Oh how I ached for both! And back they came,late but at last, at just the hour a judge at court,late but at last, at just the hour a judge at court,who’s settled the countless suits of brash youngwho’s settled the countless suits of brash youngclaimants,claimants,rises, the day’s work done, and turns home forrises, the day’s work done, and turns home forsupper—supper—that’s when the timbers reared back up fromthat’s when the timbers reared back up fromKharybdis”Kharybdis”