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An epic poem by Homer
The Odyssey
• Epic poem composed by
the Greek poet Homer
between 900-700 B.C.
(B.C.E.)
• Main hero is Odysseus
(Latin name Ulysses)
• Adventure story about
Odysseus’s voyage home
after the Trojan War
• Sequel to The Iliad, an
epic poem also by Homer
Homer?
Who the heck was Homer?
No one knows
Supposedly a blind,
illiterate storyteller
Rhapsode: a
person who recited
the epic poems of
ancient Greece
from memory
What the heck is an epic poem?
 A long narrative poem that tells
the bold deeds of a great hero
 Contains supernatural events,
long time periods, distant
journeys, & struggles between
good & evil
Characteristics of an epic poem:
Begins with an
“Invocation to a Muse”
The Muses were 9
goddesses in charge of
literature & art
Daughters of Zeus who
inspired poets,
musicians, & artists
Epic poems contain . . .
Epic similes
a.k.a. Homeric
similes
Elaborate
comparisons of
unlike subjects
Example from The Odyssey:
“Think of a catch that fishermen
haul in to a half-moon bay
In a fine-meshed net from the
whitecaps of the sea:
How all are poured out on the
sand, in throes for the salt
sea,
Twitching their cold lives away
in Helios’ fiery air:
So lay the suitors heaped on one
another”
Epic poems contain . . .
Epithets
Adjectives or
descriptive phrases
expressing a
characteristic of a
person or thing
Examples from The
Odyssey:
“gray-eyed Athena” for
Athena, goddess of
wisdom
“Laertes’ son” for
Odysseus
“The Wanderer” for
Odysseus
“Penelope’s true son” for
Telemachus
What is an epic hero?
A main character w/ supernatural abilities
or qualities (god-like)
Possesses traits that embody the ideals of
his people (strength, wisdom, courage)
Undertakes a dangerous voyage or quest,
during which he encounters many
supernatural beings
Often visits a supernatural world where
regular mortals cannot go
Odysseus
King of Ithaca
Trojan War veteran
Member of Achaean
(Greek) army
Devoted husband to
Penelope
Father to Telemachus
Famous for his cleverness
& cunning
The Trojan Horse
Characters in The Odyssey
Deities
(gods & goddesses)
Zeus
Ruler of the gods
God of thunder, rain, &
lightning
Husband of Hera (his
sister)
Fathered many
immortals & mortals
Athena
Virgin goddess of
wisdom & warfare
Born from the head
of Zeus
Supported the
Achaeans in the
Trojan War
Poseidon
God of the sea,
earthquakes, &
horses
Brother of Zeus
Hates Odysseus for
blinding his son,
the Cyclops
Polyphemus
Hermes
Messenger to
the gods
Son of Zeus
and Maia
God of fertility
& guide for
souls to the
Underworld
Supernatural beings
encountered by Odysseus
Circe
Polyphemus
Scylla
the Sirens
Calypso
Odysseus’ family
Wife Penelope, who
has been waiting 20
years for Odysseus to
return
Son Telemachus, who
was a baby when
Odysseus left