The Odyssey and Ancient Greece"By its evocation of a real or imaged heroic

age, its contrasts of character and its variety of adventure, above all by its sheer narrative power, the Odyssey has won and

preserved its place among the greatest tales in the world. It tells of Odysseus' adventurous wanderings as he returns

from the long war at Troy to his home in the Greek island of Ithaca, where his wife

Penelope and his son Telemachus have been waiting for him for twenty years. He

meets a one-eyed giant, Polyphemus the Cyclops; he visits the underworld; he faces

the terrible monsters Scylla and Charybdis; he extricates himself from the charms of

Circe and Calypso. After these and numerous other legendary encounters he

finally reaches home, where, disguised as a beggar, he begins to plan revenge on the

suitors who have for years been besieging Penelope and feasting on his own meat and

wine with insolent impunity." -The Reader’s Guide

English 9 - Mr. Cress

The Author: HOMER

•Legendary ancient Greek epic poet•Wrote the Illiad and the Odyssey•Was a blind court singer/storyteller•The Illiad tells the story of Achilles and takes place during the Trojan War•The Odyssey tells the story of Odysseus and his journey home after the war has ended.

The Genre: EPIC

POETRYThe Characteristics of an epic…•A long, narrative poem on a serious subject.•Told in formal, elevated style.•Centers on a heroic figure.•The hero’s actions determine the fate of his nation, people, and/or humanity as a whole.•These actions take place in battles and wars, long journeys and quests, and other adventures.•Gods and other supernatural beings/forces take an interest and an active involvement in human affairs.

What is a Myth?

•A myth is a traditional story, which may describe the origins of the world and/or of a people…•A myth is an attempt to explain mysteries, supernatural events, and cultural traditions.•Sometimes, a myth can involve gods or other creatures.•A myth represents reality in dramatic ways.

The Gods and Godesses•Most lived high atop Mt. Olympus, ruled by Zeus, their king.•They looked and acted much like humans, but they were more powerful, more beautiful, and far more gifted.•They had human feelings and emotions, like love, anger, and jealousy.•They were married, had children, fought with each other, and generally acted like the Greek people they ruled•Each had a special area of influence and many had temples dedicated to them.

Athena, for example, was the goddess of wisdom, as well as war

and peace.

The Civilization…

The Trojan War•Blame it on Helen, “The Face that launched a thousand ships.”•She was married to Menelaus, King of Sparta.•Paris, Prince of Troy, chose Aphrodite over Hera and Athena and gave her a golden apple inscribed “to the fairest.”•To thank him, Aphrodite allowed Paris to pick the most beautiful woman in the world to be by his side. Unfortunately, it was Helen, who was married.•Aphrodite helped Paris kidnap Helen and take her back to Troy with him.•MENELAUS=NOT HAPPY ABOUT THIS.

How it began…

The Judgment of Paris

The Trojan War•Outraged, Menelaus rallies his people and all the Greek kings to swarm Troy and return his wife, Helen, to Sparta.•The war lasts for nearly ten years.•It ends with the Trojan Horse, the idea of a brilliant soldier.•The Greeks give the wooden horse as a gift to the Trojans as a trophy.•They hid a select group of 30 soldiers inside the horse, while the rest of the army pretended to sail away.•The Trojans took the horse into their city and locked the gates, but that night, the men busted out of the horse, crept to the city gates, and unlocked them, allowing the Greek army to sack Troy and recover Helen.

The Resolution…

This was such a smart strategy, but who could

have thought of something like this?

The Protagonist: ODYSSEUS•Leader in the Greek army•Known for his cunning intelligence•While the other men have returned home, Odysseus endures a voyage filled with monsters, meddling gods, and other obstacles that lengthen his journey home to ten years.•His wife, Penelope, faithfully awaits him at home in Ithaca, along with his son, Telemachus.•Suitors pressure her to re-marry and abuse ransack her home; when will Odysseus return?