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The Odyssey

"Explore the adventures of Odysseus, a hero on a voyage home after the Trojan War. Learn about epic poetry, gods, and supernatural encounters in this timeless masterpiece by Homer."

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The Odyssey

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  1. The Odyssey An epic poem by Homer

  2. The Odyssey • Epic poem composed by the Greek poet Homer between 900-700 B.C. (B.C.E.) • Main hero is Odysseus (Latin name Ulysses) • Adventure story about Odysseus’s voyage home after the Trojan War • Sequel to The Iliad, an epic poem also by Homer

  3. Homer?

  4. Who the heck was Homer? • No one knows • Supposedly a blind, illiterate storyteller • Rhapsode: a person who recited the epic poems of ancient Greece from memory

  5. What the heck is an epic poem? • A long narrative poem that tells the bold deeds of a great hero • Contains supernatural events, long time periods, distant journeys, & struggles between good & evil

  6. Characteristics of an epic poem: • Begins with an “Invocation to a Muse” • The Muses were 9 goddesses in charge of literature & art • Daughters of Zeus who inspired poets, musicians, & artists

  7. Epic similes a.k.a. Homeric similes Elaborate comparisons of unlike subjects Example from The Odyssey: “Think of a catch that fishermen haul in to a half-moon bay In a fine-meshed net from the whitecaps of the sea: How all are poured out on the sand, in throes for the salt sea, Twitching their cold lives away in Helios’ fiery air: So lay the suitors heaped on one another” Epic poems contain . . .

  8. Epithets Adjectives or descriptive phrases expressing a characteristic of a person or thing Examples from The Odyssey: “gray-eyed Athena” for Athena, goddess of wisdom “Laertes’ son” for Odysseus “The Wanderer” for Odysseus “Penelope’s true son” for Telemachus Epic poems contain . . .

  9. What is an epic hero? • A main character w/ supernatural abilities or qualities (god-like) • Possesses traits that embody the ideals of his people (strength, wisdom, courage) • Undertakes a dangerous voyage or quest, during which he encounters many supernatural beings • Often visits a supernatural world where regular mortals cannot go

  10. Odysseus • King of Ithaca • Trojan War veteran • Member of Achaean (Greek) army • Devoted husband to Penelope • Father to Telemachus • Famous for his cleverness & cunning

  11. The Trojan Horse

  12. Characters in The Odyssey Deities (gods & goddesses)

  13. Zeus • Ruler of the gods • God of thunder, rain, & lightning • Husband of Hera (his sister) • Fathered many immortals & mortals

  14. Athena • Virgin goddess of wisdom & warfare • Born from the head of Zeus • Supported the Achaeans in the Trojan War

  15. Poseidon • God of the sea, earthquakes, & horses • Brother of Zeus • Hates Odysseus for blinding his son, the Cyclops Polyphemus

  16. Hermes • Messenger to the gods • Son of Zeus and Maia • God of fertility & guide for souls to the Underworld

  17. Supernatural beings encountered by Odysseus Circe Polyphemus Scylla the Sirens Calypso

  18. Odysseus’ family • Wife Penelope, who has been waiting 20 years for Odysseus to return • Son Telemachus, who was a baby when Odysseus left

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