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What is a Myth?
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Myths explained phenomenon in the natural world
that couldn’t be explained or understood.
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Myths use fantasy to express ideas about life that
cannot be expressed easily in realistic terms.
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When Myths were written, people did not have
microscopes, telescopes, and a knowledge of
electricity, gravity, and science that we do today.
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Gods and goddesses were given credit for
unexplained phenomenon in nature and in the sky.
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Myths reflected the values and customs of a
society.
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Myths occurred in all societies throughout the
world.
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think of a creative or funny explanation for
lightning, thunder, snow, or earthquakes
What is an Epic Poem?
A long, narrative poem which traces the adventure of a hero.
•The setting is huge, covering great nations, the world, or the universe.
•Supernatural forces (gods, angels, demons) interest themselves in the action.
•Classical Conventions: (necessary elements for an epic)
Invocation of the Muses
Theme in opening
Vast setting
Action
Supernatural forces
Epic similes
Epic epithets
In Media Res (starts in the middle)
Epic hero
Objectively reported
What is an Epic Hero?
A legendary figure who usually embodies the goals and virtues of an entire
nation or culture.
Hero is physically strong, of national or international importance, and of
great historical or legendary significance.
An epic hero is human, therefore he or she has faults. However, the epic
hero is superior to other human beings; thus, “larger than life”.
The action consists of deeds of great valor or requiring superhuman courage.
The 13 Qualities Valued by
the Greeks
1. Courage
2. Physical strength
3. Intelligence
4. Patience
5. Strong will
6. Cleverness
7. Athletic ability
8. Honesty
9. Stamina
10. Ability to resist temptation
11. Ability to make difficult decisions
12. Loyalty
13. Resilience
Unpardonable Greek Sin
There was one character flaw that the Greeks
particularly hated: Hubris
What is hubris?
Excessive Pride and Arrogance
Two important Greek precepts: “Know Thyself” and “Nothing in Excess”
Sometimes Greek heroes became cocky. They failed to realize their own human
limitations. In this case, they were guilty of hubris – too much pride and arrogance.
The Invocation of the Muses
Muses: The nine daughters of Zeus and Mnemosyne. In Greek
mythology, poetry, and literature, they are the goddesses or
spirits who inspire the creation of literature and the arts.
When the bards, poets, rhapsodes, or minstrels would sing,
they would first invite the muses to come and help them tell
their story.
The Greeks believed that the muses provided creative
inspiration and could “speak through” the poet.
The Illiad and The Odyssey
The Illiad and The Odyssey are epic poems from Ancient
Greece. They are famous myths which are rooted in a true
historical event, the Trojan War, which took place around
1200 B.C.
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Written by Homer
Homer was blind.
He was known as a bard,
minstrel, or rhapsode. These
were considered both
historians and entertainers.
The stories were originally
told orally; they were
written later.
They were recorded around
the 8th or 9th century B.C.
The actual events took place
around 1200 B.C.
The Illiad
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The 10-year-war between the Greeks and the Trojans.
Literary Reason: Paris, prince of Troy, “kidnapped”
Helen from Greece (Sparta). She was already married
to King Menalaus. He rallied all the Greek warriors to
go and get her back.
Probable reason: Disagreement over trade on the
Aegean Sea.
Troy was a strategic port that the Greeks wanted. It was a
convenient place to stop for them on their way to trade with people
on the Black Sea. Before the war, the Trojans would charge the
Greeks money to stop there…like a tax. Also, Troy and the
surrounding area had nice, fertile soil, as opposed to the rough
terrain of southern Greece and the islands.
Several heroes emerged from the Trojan War: Achilles, Hector, and
Odysseus.
Hector and Achilles both lost their lives.
According to the myth, Odysseus faked illness to try to get out of
going!
The Trojan Horse
The war between the Greeks
and Trojans lasted 10 years.
Odysseus conceived the idea
of the wooden horse.
He had a wood maker create
a giant hollow horse. He and
his men hid inside.
The Greeks acted like they
had packed up and gone
home.
They left one sole soldier
who claimed he was no
longer a Greek. He told the
Trojans that the Trojan
Horse was an offering to
Athena and if they brought it
into the city, it would bring
them her favor.
While Odysseus and his men hid inside the Trojan
Horse, it was brought into the city by the joyous
Trojans who were celebrating the end to the
war. That night, in the darkness, the soldiers
snuck out and sacked the city. The Greek ships
returned and joined in the fight. Troy was
destroyed.
What is an odyssey?
A journey through life (universal) = man
trying to achieve personal land of peace
and joy; therefore, we must test
ourselves and overcome obstacles.
The Odyssey
The Odyssey is told in media res.
That’s a fancy way to say that the story starts in the middle.
Here’s how it is told:
1. Odysseus washes up on the island of Phaeacia. They ask him to tell his story
because it’s not everyday that a muscley, handsome dude washes in with the tide.
2. Odysseus first listens to a special singer tell the story of the Trojan Horse.
the Phaeacians don’t know he is Odysseus yet because he hasn’t told them his
identity.
3. Odysseus tells the Phaeacians he is Odysseus, King of Ithaca. He tells them
about his adventures during these 10 years after the Trojan War ended.
4. Odysseus is taken home by the Phaeacians and has to win back his kingdom.
Our readings will be concentrated on items 3 & 4.