The OdysseyThe OdysseyBackground Background

NotesNotes

English IEnglish I

What We Have Gained What We Have Gained from the Ancient Greeksfrom the Ancient Greeks

ValuesValues System of LawsSystem of Laws Political TheoriesPolitical Theories ArchitectureArchitecture LanguageLanguage TheaterTheater

Gods and Goddesses: Gods and Goddesses: PolytheismPolytheism

Ancient Greeks were polytheistic Ancient Greeks were polytheistic (many gods and goddesses)(many gods and goddesses)

Gods and goddessesGods and goddesses Were immortal (couldn’t die)Were immortal (couldn’t die) Controlled mortals (could die)Controlled mortals (could die) Represented nature or specific Represented nature or specific

citiescities Lived on Mount OlympusLived on Mount Olympus

Specific Gods and Specific Gods and GoddessesGoddesses

Some gods and Some gods and goddesses in goddesses in The The OdysseyOdyssey::

Poseidon=god of the Poseidon=god of the seasea

Athena=goddess of Athena=goddess of wisdom and the arts wisdom and the arts of war and peaceof war and peace

Hermes=the Hermes=the messenger godmessenger god

Zeus=king of the godsZeus=king of the gods

The OdysseyThe Odyssey

Homer’s Epic Story of Homer’s Epic Story of Odysseus and His Struggle to Odysseus and His Struggle to

Return HomeReturn Home

Homer and His EpicsHomer and His Epics Blind poet, 700s BCBlind poet, 700s BC Told Told The IliadThe Iliad and and The The

OdysseyOdyssey Works are considered Works are considered

“epics,” which are “epics,” which are long, narrative poems long, narrative poems that tell about heroes that tell about heroes and their adventuresand their adventures

The EpicThe Epic Covers several yearsCovers several years Told in many settingsTold in many settings Relates to the values of Relates to the values of

a civilizationa civilization ““Oral tradition” (passing Oral tradition” (passing

stories to future stories to future generations by word of generations by word of mouth)mouth)

The Epic HeroThe Epic Hero No “super” powersNo “super” powers Faithful to family, Faithful to family,

country, and god(s)country, and god(s) Brave - overcomes fear Brave - overcomes fear

because of duty (against because of duty (against evil, for good)evil, for good)

Intelligent - uses mind in Intelligent - uses mind in tough situationstough situations

Higher being/force guides Higher being/force guides him on questhim on quest

Modern EpicsModern Epics

Harry PotterHarry Potter Lord of the RingsLord of the Rings Star WarsStar Wars

Books 1-5 (the short Books 1-5 (the short version)version)

Books 1-5Books 1-5