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Introduction to the Odyssey. Key Ideas: The Odyssey. The Odyssey is an epic. An epic is a long narrative poem about the deeds of a hero. The epic hero often portrays the goals and values of the society Epics are based in part on historical fact, blending legend with truth. - PowerPoint PPT Presentation
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Key Ideas: The Odyssey The Odyssey is an epic. An epic is a long narrative poem about
the deeds of a hero. The epic hero often portrays the goals
and values of the society Epics are based in part on historical
fact, blending legend with truth.
The Epic and Epic Hero In literature, the epic is a long narrative
poem about the deeds of a hero. The epic hero is a larger-than-life
figure who undertakes great journeys and performs deed requiring remarkable strength and cunning.
Epic Hero: Characteristics Possesses superhuman strength,
craftiness, and confidence. Is helped and harmed by interfering
gods. Embodies ideals and values that a
culture considers admirable. Emerges victorious from perilous
situations.
Epic Plot Involves a long journey, full of
complications, such as: Strange creatures Divine intervention Large-scale events Treacherous weather
Homer There are many theories about the blind
poet Homer, who is credited with writing the Iliad and the Odyssey.
Homer is said to have lived between 900 and 700 B.C.
Oral History Homer’s epics are all that remains of a
series of poems that told the whole story of the Trojan War.
In later centuries, the Iliad and the Odyssey were memorized by professional reciters, who performed them at religious festivals throughout Greece.
Paris, a Prince from the city ofTroy, was the judge.The prize -a golden appleinscribed “to the fairest.”The goddessesbribed Paris to choose them over the others.
Aphrodite’s offer was the best.
Paris chose her.
What prize did Paris receive?
The world’s most beautiful woman -- Helen
The Iliad The Iliad takes place during the tenth year
of this war. It tells the story of the Greek warrior,
Achilles and his quarrel with Menelaus’ brother Agamemnon, ending with the death and funeral of Paris’ brother Hector.
After Hector’s death, the Greeks brought the war to an end thanks to the cleverness of Odysseus ruler of the island of Ithaca.
To break up the ten-year war, Odysseus thought of a scheme to make the Trojans think that the Greeks had finally given up.
He ordered a giant wooden horse to be left at the gates of Troy.
The Trojans, not seeing any Greeks, assumed that the Greeks had fled and left the horse as a peace offering.
They took the horse inside the city, only to find that the horse was filled with Greek soldiers and that Troy was doomed.
2. In medias res
The epic plunges rightinto the action -- itbegins “in the middleof things.”
Flashbacks provide background information.
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