Download Translate the notes you just took into your own words.

Greek mythology is the basis of The Odyssey and still
influences our world today. Brainstorm with a table partner
and list as many modern examples of words, traditions, or
stories that are originally derived from Greek myth.
Example: The story of Achilles and our modern naming of the
“Achilles Tendon”
In at least THREE sentences or more, please explain in your
own words what you know about the historical context of
the Odyssey so far.
I will learn the historical context surrounding
Homer’s The Odyssey by taking notes,
synthesizing the information into my own
words, and completing a fill-in-the-blank
organizer.
Note Taking Format
Name
Date
Period
TERM
NOTES
MY TRANSLATION
Literary
Term
Record your notes in this column
Record your translation in this column
Literary
Term
Record your notes in this column
Record your translation in this column
Term: Homer
• Many theories on Homer’s identity; believed to be
a blind poet who lived in Greece 700 B.C.
• Wrote The Illiad (about the Trojan War) 750 B.C.
• Wrote The Odyssey (about King Odysseus) 30 years
later in 720 B.C.
• Wrote about a time much different than his own
• During the Homeric age, stories passed down
verbally
– This is why stories recorded are written in poetic
form
– Rhyme is easier to remember, like a song
• Epic poems sometimes performed as plays
• Within the past 3,000 years the human race has
only produced 6-10 great epics; HOMER WROTE
TWO OF THEM!
Translate the notes you
just took into your own
words.
Who was HOMER? Why is he so important?
(2 Minutes)
Term: The Illiad
• The Illiad precedes The Odyssey
• Homer’s epic poem details the events of the Trojan
War. You should know:
–
–
–
–
How does it start?
Who is it between?
Who are the main characters/heroes?
How does it end?
• The Odyssey’s main character, King Odysseus fights
in the war for ten years
• The Trojan Horse symbolizes Odysseus’ strength of
intellect in addition to his physical strength. This
makes him an epic hero.
Translate the notes you
just took into your own
words.
What is Homer’s The Illiad? How does it relate to
The Odyssey?
(2 Minutes)
Term: The Odyssey
•
Homer’s second epic following The Illiad
•
Begins with a call to the muses (goddesses of inspiration for literature and art) to help tell the
great story of King Odysseus of Ithaca
•
Odysseus leaves pregnant wife, Penelope, and instructs her to remarry if he does not return
•
Due to hubris, Odysseus is forbidden to return home by Poseidon (god of the sea)
•
Wanders the world for ten additional years after the Trojan War
•
Meanwhile suitors settle in Ithaca trying to win Penelope’s hand in marriage while wasting the
resources of her palace
•
With the help of the goddess Athena, Odysseus punishes the suitors and reclaims his throne
Translate the notes you
just took into your own
words.
Describe the basic storyline of The Odyssey in your
own words.
(2 Minutes)
Literary Terms to Know
• EPIC
• EPIC HERO
• MEDIAS RES
• FLASHBACK
Term: Epic
• A long narrative poem about important events and heroes in the history
or folklore of a culture; portrays the ideals and customs of the society it
represents
• Presence of myth, mythical creatures, and gods/goddesses who guide the
hero or sabotage his/her actions
• Told to entertain, teach moral lessons, or lessons about religious and
societal customs
• Many epics begin in Medias Res—in the middle of things—meaning that
major events occur before events in the poem begin
• Main character is considered the epic hero
• Main character’s adventures are often recounted in flashback
Other Famous Epics
• Dante’s Divine Comedy
• Beowulf
• Gilgamesh
Term: Epic Hero
• The larger-than-life protagonist (main character) of the epic
poem
• Demonstrates character traits valued by represented society
– Communicated through character’s dialogue and action (indirect
characterization)
• Always possesses superior characteristics in strength and
intellect, but is recognizably human
– Uses only TWO things: tools at hand and own mind to escape
hardship
• Usually has a character flaw that they must overcome
Odysseus
Term: Flashback
• A scene that interrupts the narrator to relate
earlier events
• The action always returns to the present after
a flashback
Flashback
Translate the notes you
just took into your own
words.
Explain flashback in your own words.
(2 Minutes)
Exit Reflection
List all of the Literary terms and topics
covered in today’s lesson. Then choose ONE
term or topic to explain in your own words
and relate it back to The Odyssey.