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The OdysseyThe Odyssey
HomerHomer
• No one knows who he is for sure
• Thought to be a blind minstrel from the island of Chios
• Some scholars think he is just a legend.
EpicEpic
• The Odyssey is an epic poem.
• An epic – a long narrative poem– tells about the adventures of a hero – hero reflects the ideals and values of a nation
or race– Setting was on a large scale (worldwide)– Supernatural beings took interest in events
Spreading of talesSpreading of tales• Epics were often told by rhapsodes or
minstrels– These were people who traveled and sang
tales – Tales were often of legendary events or
figures– This was a form of entertainment and
information– Stories were often told over a period of
days
Retelling of talesRetelling of tales
• The wording of many epics varied as each minstrel would make up the words on the spot.
• Minstrels used formulas to help the audience remember and to give them time to think of what to say next. – The formulas make some passages seem
repetitive to modern day readers
FormulasFormulas
• There were formulas for such things as the arrival of guests, eating meals, taking baths.
• Homeric similes = comparison between a heroic or epic event to an everyday event
Homeric SimileHomeric Simile
• When Athena prevents an arrow from striking Menelaus in the Illiad, the goddess’ actions are described as follows:– She brushed it away from his skin as lightly as
when a mother /– Brushes a fly away from her child who is lying
in sweet sleep
Ancient worldAncient world
• At the time of the Odyssey, travelers and strangers were always treated kindly for it was always possible that it could be a god or goddess in disguise.
• The seats of honor were those closest to the host/ hostess
• One was to pay tribute to the gods before eating, drinking, going on a trip, etc.
SettingSetting
• Supposedly written between 900 &700 B.C.
• Set in 1200 B.C
• Set after the Trojan War– Odysseus has still not gotten home from the
war
• Audience would’ve been familiar with the details of the Trojan War
In the beginningIn the beginning
• The first line of the poem invokes the gods. Even the minstrels would still do such a thing.– Sing in me, Muse, and through me tell the story– Of that man skilled in all ways of contending. . .
• The nine Muses were daughters of Zeus who were said to inspire the arts including poetry, music, and dance.
While you read:While you read:
• Take notes– Names, places, major events
• Fill in the Names to Know – Put a page number and chapter to help you
look back at when you 1st met the char.
• Make a timeline– Story is not chronological