The Odyssey

1
The Odyssey

• Literary Terms
• Background
• Greek History

2
Genre

• EPIC POEM
• A long narrative poem
• Begins w/ invocation
• Adventure
• Heroic Figure
• Setting is vast
• Supernatural forces
• Serious tone (elevated language)

3
The Epic Hero

• An epics central character
• Larger-than-life figure from history
• Undertakes a dangerous voyage
• Demonstrates loyalty, courage, and honor
• Valued by society

4
Literary Techniques

• Repeated description
• Simile
• Metaphor
• Personification
• Epithet
• Foreshadowing

5
Simile

• A comparison between two things using like or
  as
• Example and leaned on it turning it as a
  shipwright turns a drill in planking, (p.992)

6
Metaphor

• A comparison between two things without using
  like or as
• Example Why bait the beast again? (p.996)

7
Personification

• Describing an object by giving it human qualities
• Example The Cyclops bellowed and the rock
  roared round him (p.992)

8
Epithet

• Short, descriptive title
• A characterizing word or phrase associated with a
  person or thing
• Example Richard the Lion-Hearted
• the young Dawn with fingertips of rose (p.990)

9
Foreshadowing

• Clues that suggest events that have yet to occur
• Creates suspense

10
Archetype

• The most typical example of a particular kind of
  person or thing ideal example
• Universally recognized
• Examples the mother figure, the wise old man,
  the child, or the hero

11
The Greek Hero

• Strong in mind and body
• High social standing
• Actions affect others
• Struggle against human weakness

12
The Heros Journey

• CYCLE
• Hero possesses supernatural ability
• Charged with a quest
• Hero is tested
• Travels to supernatural world
• Hero nearly gives up
• A resurrection moves from defeat to triumph
• Restitution regains rightful place on throne

13
Hubris

• Excessive pride or self-confidence
• Arrogance
• Think about Achilles in Troy.

14
The Odyssey

• Begins in medias res
• In the middle of things

15
The Iliad

• The prequel to The Odyssey
• Concerned with the events of the Trojan War
• Written by Homer

16
The Trojan WarHistorical Context

• Fought between Spartans and Trojans
• Spartans- from Sparta
• V.
• Trojans- from Troy

17
Map of Ancient Greece
18
Where is Greece?
19
The OdysseyA Journey Home

• King Odysseus fought on behalf of the Spartans.
• He attempts to return home to Ithaca after 10
  years at war.
• Gods are angered by Odysseus pride and curse him
  to wander the earth.

20
The Journey
21
Characters

• Odysseus- King of Ithaca
• Penelope- Queen of Ithaca
• Telemachus- son of Odysseus Penelope
• Agamemnon- leader of the Greek forces
• Polyphemus (Cyclops)- son of Poseidon
• Poseidon- god of the sea
• Calypso- sea goddess who loves Odysseus
• Circe- enchantress who helps Odysseus