Download Homer’s Odyssey

Homer’s Odyssey
An Introduction to the Epic & the
Epic Hero
EPIC: a long narrative poem that tells the
adventures of heroes who embody the values of their
particular civilizations.
The Epic Hero
Strengths:
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Courage
Physical Strength
Cunning Intelligence
Unfailing Loyalty
Devotion to Duty
Champion of Freedom and
Justice
The Epic Hero
Flaws
-Love of Glory
(pride) ->
HUBRIS
-Susceptible to
Temptation/Doubt
The Hero’s Journey
The Beginning
1.THE CALL TO ADVENTURE
2.REFUSAL OF THE CALL
3.MEETING WITH THE MENTOR
4.TESTS, ALLIES AND ENEMIES
Midway Through
1.THE ORDEAL
2.THE REWARD
3.THE ROAD BACK
The Climax
1.THE RESURRECTION—the climax
Epics are
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Filled with action
Written in verse
(originally chanted or
sung)
Contain supernatural
and noble characters
Epic Conventions
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Appeal to the muse
In medias res (in the middle of the action)
Elaborate (Homeric) similes
Extended formal speeches
Epithets: adj. or adj. phrase describing a
person; the art of a name
Homer
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Considered first known
poet of Western
Literature
Blind
Could not read or write
(sang)
Composed The Iliad
(750 B.C.) and The
Odyssey (720 B.C.)
Homer’s Epics
Odyssey
Iliad
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Recounts the battles in the
last year of the 10 year war
between the Greeks and
the Trojans
Heroes: Hector &
Achilles
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24 books
Double Plot:
Telemachus’s
search for his father;
Odysseus’s
adventures in the
10 year journey
from the war
The Greek Gods
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Anthropomorphic
Interfere in human affairs
(take sides)
Disguise themselves as
humans to help, test, or
hurt humans
Actions more governed by
emotions than morality
Zeus
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Ruler of the gods and
goddesses of Mt.
Olympus
Poseidon
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God of the Sea
Enemy to Odysseus;
tries to keep him from
reaching home
Hermes
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The Messenger of the
Gods
Athena
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Goddess of Wisdom
and War
Loves and helps
Odysseus
Odysseus’s Journey