English 1 CP
The OdysseyExtended adventurous voyage or tripWritten by HomerTold the story about most famous Greek
event-Trojan War
Epic PoemLong narrative poem about the feats of a
hero (entertainment)Hero reflects goals and values of societyTaught lessons to listeners/readersHeroes were included so people would be
like themHistorical fact, legend and truthIncredible deeds and adventuresGods/goddesses help and harass the heroIliad, Odyssey, Beowulf
HomerWrote Iliad and Odyssey (Iliad was story
of war, Odyssey takes place after)BlindCollected stories in 800 B.C.
Stories had been sung by Greek minstrelsSome took DAYS to tellSet to musicSo stories were told and listened to more than
they were read
Epic HeroCentral figure of an epic (Odysseus)Better than everyone (strength, courage,
endurance)ImportantLegend or fact basedReflects society Pride in reputationLove for family/homelandForceful leaderLife is preciouskingly
The OdysseyIn media res –in the middle of things
Twenty years after Odysseus has left home
Trojan War started because Helen was kidnapped by Paris-Helen’s husband is Menelaus
Three StoriesTelemachus-Odysseus’ sonTravels and adventure of OdysseusOdysseus’ return to Ithaca
The OdysseyOdysseus’ difficulties when trying to go
homeTrojan War = Greeks vs. TroyAchaean (Greek) heroes return home after
ten years of fighting a bloody warTen years after end of war (20 yrs total)
The Odyssey begins- no one has heard anything about Odysseus
When Odysseus is away, many men begin to vie for his wife, Penelope
The OdysseyTelemachus (Odysseus’ son) is twenty years
old… he decides to look for his dadWhy is Odysseus traveling so much?
Poseidon (God of the Sea) has punished him
Part OneHomer pleads for the muse of poetry to
help him tell the story What is a muse?Odysseus leaves Calypso’s islandGoes to Phaeacia-ruler’s name is AlcinousAlcinous offers Odysseus a ship if he talks
about his adventuresSOOO-Odysseus is talking most of the
time in Part One
Part TwoOdysseus returns to IthacaOdysseus and Telemachus plot against
suitorsSuitors are trying to court Penelope
Map of Odysseus’ Travels