2/17/092/17/09BR- 1.Write down any nursery rhyme you BR- 1.Write down any nursery rhyme you remember from childhood?remember from childhood?2. How might being blind help a person 2. How might being blind help a person remember long stories?remember long stories?

TodayToday: Early : Early Greek PoetryGreek Poetry

Hand in your Hand in your essay!essay!

D’oh! I’m not that Homer

Greek Poetry Greek Poetry

- Was linked to music Was linked to music and sung in order to and sung in order to help people help people remember LONG remember LONG epic poems such as epic poems such as the the OdysseyOdyssey..

- Poets were like Poets were like celebrity figures, celebrity figures, (?)often blind, and (?)often blind, and touched with magic touched with magic from the godsfrom the gods

- Memorization was Memorization was important since important since most people were most people were illiterate.illiterate.

- Poets were Poets were considered sacred considered sacred since their “power” since their “power” came from the 9 came from the 9 muses. muses.

Look at some examples from the Look at some examples from the chapter. (Extra credit if you read chapter. (Extra credit if you read

them out loud for us!them out loud for us!

-p.47 – -p.47 – TheogonyTheogony

p.48 Archilochusp.48 Archilochus

p. 49 Sappho (female!)p. 49 Sappho (female!)

P49. Simonides, P49. Simonides, Epitaph for Spartan Epitaph for Spartan Soldiers - Soldiers - Who’s he talking about?Who’s he talking about?

Greeks had special poems for special Greeks had special poems for special occasions.occasions.

An An epitaphepitaph is a short statement that is a short statement that commemorates a dead personcommemorates a dead person

Do we have special poems for Do we have special poems for special occasions, to tell stories, special occasions, to tell stories, or to remember people, events or to remember people, events

or feelings?or feelings?

Assignment (Tomorrow)Assignment (Tomorrow)Write your own epitaph in the style of a Write your own epitaph in the style of a

Greek poet. It should be no more than 4 Greek poet. It should be no more than 4 sentences sentences