The Odyssey

The Odyssey

Epic Tales of Epic Proportions

OBJ I can discuss the distinctive elements of an Epic Poem

LIT Epic PPT AND Literature Books pg 804 – 806

WRT NOTES: PPT AND Literature Books pg 804 - 806Epic Hero Charts

Pre AP Eng 1 Agenda

OBJ I can discuss the distinctive elements of an Epic PoemEpic-- An extended narrative poem recounting actions, travels, adventures, and heroic episodes and written in a high style (with ennobled diction, for example). It may be written in hexameter verse, especially dactylic hexameter, and it may have twelve books or twenty four books.Examples: Homer, Iliad Virgil, Aeneid

Homer, Odyssey Tasso, Jerusalem DeliveredMilton, Paradise Lost

LIT NOTES PPT AND Literature Books pg 806.

Pre AP Eng 1

Journals

• 8 journals worth 10pts each. Due June 5th

• Read one journal to the class for 20 pts. Due June 5th

Journal #1 -- choose one, 100 words.

• Do you have a family member or a friend who tells great stories? What makes their stories so fun to listen to? Do you enjoy hearing their stories again and again?

• What makes you a great storyteller? What are some things you do to make your stories come alive for your listeners? What do you do to remember them?

• What is one of your favorite stories? What makes it a great story?

Journal #2 -- 100 words.

1. Name a Hero—real or fictional– Or choose someone who inspires you.

2. What are three traits he/she has that make him/her a hero?

3. Choose one trait and write a journal about the hero you named above. Give at least three concrete examples of how (or when) that trait makes (made) that person heroic.

Journal #3 -- 100 words.1. Today is a day that focuses on love. Part of the popularity

of The Odyssey is the love story between Odysseus and Penelope.

• For today’s journal, write a diary entry (or a poem) from either Odysseus’ or Penelope’s point of view expressing his/her feelings about their marriage after being separated for 7 years.

Or• Write about love as a topic. Your choice…love is powerful.

Love is fake. Love equals sacrifice. Whatever you want to say about love. Start with a clear topic sentence that shows the controlling idea of the paragraph.

Two day Journal #4 -- 25+ words.

1. Draw your interpretation of a Cyclops2. Choose one option below

a. Write a paragraph using at least three passages as evidence (cited—pg # and line #) from Odysseus: Part 1 to validate your interpretation. (50 – 100 words)

b. Label the picture using at least three passages as evidence (cited—pg # and line #) from Odysseus: Part 1 to validate your interpretation. (25 – 50 words)

Journal #5 -- 100 words.

• Write about a time someone told you (or someone you know) not to do something, but you did it anyway. (If you are writing about someone else – use a pseudonym.)

Journal #6 -- 100+ words.

1. What is an obstacle in your life that you have over come? How did you overcome it?

2. Think of a person you know (a friend or family member) who has overcome an obstacle in his/her life. How did he/she overcome it?


1. As a leader, Odysseus has moments of great success and great failure. How do you rate him overall. Is he a good leader? Why or why not?

2. Name any world leader of today’s time or history. How do you rate him/her overall. Is he/she a good leader? Why or why not?


1. In this classroom I have been your leader, we’ve had moments of success and failure. How do you rate this class overall? Am I a good leader? Why or why not?

2. In August, this class will begin for 150 more freshmen and I am asking for your advice. What did we learn, read, discuss, or do that we should do the same and what should we try to do differently?

Themes, elements and symbols

• Narrative poem• Epic Poem• Epic Simile• Epithets• Patronymics• Allusion• Personification• Metaphor• Character (Archetype)

• The journey (to the underworld)

• “3”• Catalogues• Histories and descriptions

Characteristics of the classical epic include these:

• The main character or protagonist is heroically larger than life, often the source and subject of legend or a national hero

• The deeds of the hero are presented without favoritism, revealing his failings as well as his virtues

• The action, often in battle, reveals the more-than-human strength of the heroes as they engage in acts of heroism and courage

Characteristics of the classical epic include these:

• The setting covers several nations, the whole world, or even the universe

• The episodes, even though they may be fictional, provide an explanation for some of the circumstances or events in the history of a nation or people

• The gods and lesser divinities play an active role in the outcome of actions

• All of the various adventures form an organic whole, where each event relates in some way to the central theme

Typical in epics is a set of conventions (or epic machinery). Among them are these:

• Poem begins with a statement of the theme ("Arms and the man I sing")

• Invocation to the muse or other deity ("Sing, goddess, of the wrath of Achilles")

• Story begins in medias res (in the middle of things)• Catalogs (of participants on each side, ships, sacrifices)• Histories and descriptions of significant items (who

made a sword or shield, how it was decorated, who owned it from generation to generation)

• Epic simile (a long simile where the image becomes an object of art in its own right as well as serving to clarify the subject).

Typical in epics is a set of conventions (or epic machinery). Among them are these:

• Frequent use of epithets ("Aeneas the true"; "rosy-fingered Dawn"; "tall-masted ship")

• Use of patronymics (calling son by father's name): "Anchises' son"

• Long, formal speeches by important characters• Journey to the underworld• Use of the number three (attempts are made three

times, etc.)• Previous episodes in the story are later recounted

OBJ I can discuss the distinctive elements of an Epic Poem

LIT Literature Books pg 804-805 (Restate the questions and answer in complete sentences.)1. In ancient Greece, what was the specific job of the storyteller?2. When do experts believe Homer composed and recited his poems?3. Where did Homer get the ideas for his stories?4. Homer was fascinated by what type of hero?5. How did Homer compose his poems? Why?

WRT NOTES: PPT AND Literature Books pg 804 - 806Epic Hero Charts

Day 1 Pre AP Eng 1 Agenda

OBJ I can use background information and media to make a prediction about the plot and the theme of a text.

DWU Read pages 813-814. Based on the Invocation, list 4 things you expect to happen to Odysseus on his journey. (Put this your notes)

LIT The Odyssey pg 810 – 880.HWKVOCWRT Epic Hero Chart

Day 2 Pre AP Eng 1 Agenda

OBJ I use cited evidence to support my claims. I use relevant commentary to connect by evidence to my claims.

LIT The Odyssey pg 816 – 828. Pg 825 …what is Ironic?

WRT Journal #5, Text questions -- Answer the questions on pg 8281. 2-5 (answer all)2. 6-9 (answer two) or find and explain the meaning of 2+ examples of irony or EPIC Simile in The Odyssey.

Day 3 & 4 Pre AP Eng 1 Agenda

MLA Citations (for Polyphemus)

"Book 9." Spark Notes. B & N, 2013. Web. 18 Feb. 2014.

Chin, Beverly Ann. “The Odyssey: Part 1." Glencoe literature: the reader's choice. New York, N.Y.: Glencoe McGraw-Hill, 2002. 818 - 828. Print.

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The Odyssey