Download Introduction to The Odyssey

Introduction to The Odyssey
A few terms…
• Epic—a long narrative poem presenting the
adventures of gods or larger-than-life heroes
• Epic hero—figure of great stature; from
history or legend; possesses the character
traits that are most valued by society
• Archetype—the original pattern or model of
which all things of the same type are
representations or copies; a perfect example
Archetypes
• Hero—the courageous figure, the one who's always running in
and saving the day
• Anti-hero—represents everything opposite of the hero; the
deceitful figure that seeks to cause troubles; ulterior motives
• Temptress—represents highly refined skills at manipulating men
without investing personal emotion
• Devil—represents temptation, persuasion, and regret
• Scapegoat—the one who gets blamed for everything, regardless of
whether he or she is actually at fault
• Outcast—he or she has been cast out of society or has left it on a
voluntary basis
• Wise fool—the one who signifies the trials and tribulations of
happiness and joy, which ensures the character to be challenged
Heroic Cycle
Wow!
That
looks
complicated!
(Joseph
Campbell’s
Version)
Heroic Cycle…again
• Let’s simplify!
• Odysseus’
cycle?
Cycle Explained…
• First there is the call to adventure, with the possibility of
a helper (think of Luke Skywalker called by R2D2, and
assisted by Obi Wan Kenobi and the robots).
• Second there is the crossing, with tests and more helpers
(the death of Luke's aunt and uncle, and the appearance
of more helpers - Hans Solo and Chewbacca).
• Third there is the supreme ordeal (Luke's confrontation
with his father, Darth Vader).
• Fourth there is the return, with a possible boon to the
hero's people (Luke destroys the Death Star, the rebel
alliance is saved).
A Little Greek Mythology!
• A few immortals and monsters Odysseus encounters:
– Calypso—the queenly Nymph and lover of Odysseus
– Lotus eaters—A group of people who existed in a state of
languorous forgetfulness induced by eating the fruit of the lotus
plant
– Cyclopes—the one eyed sons of Gaia (Earth)
– Sirens—the Sirens lure mariners with their seductive singing to
the rocky shore and the heedless sailors die in their wrecked
ships
– Charybdis—would alternately suck down the waters into her
maw and then spew them out causing gigantic waves
– Scylla—a creature with twelve dangling feet, six long necks and
grisly heads lined with a triple row of sharp teeth. Her voice was
likened to the yelping of dogs
• Calypso and Odysseus
• Charybdis
• Scylla
A Little Greek Mythology Cont’d
• A couple of the gods
involved:
– ZEUS was the supreme
god of the Olympians
– POSEIDON was the god
of the sea, earthquakes
and horses