HOMER’S ODYSSEY

WHO WAS HOMER?A Greek poet whose most famous works are the Iliad and the Odyssey He probably wrote these works during the 1100’s BCThe life of Homer is a mysteryHistorians are not sure when or where he lived, or if he even existed

It could be that many people wrote these poems over generations and were collectedly called “Homer”

The Odyssey begins in medias res, or in the middle of thingsThe story begins with a sense of urgencyThe Odyssey begins after the fall of Troy and takes one of the warriors and crafts the epic around his strugglesIt tells the story of his journey home

The Odyssey Background

EPIC POEMA LONG NARRATIVE POEM

1. It contains adventure that includes extraordinary or super human deeds

2. It has a central heroic figure (epic hero)

3. The setting is vast - often covering the world

4. Supernatural forces (Gods) are involved

5. An elevated style is used (serious tone of voice)

6. Purpose: to entertain, teach and inspire

QUALITIES OF AN EPIC/EPIC HERO

- hero faces trials and enemies while struggling on an epic journey- the hero encounters “women as temptresses” who threaten his completion of the journey- at the end of the journey, the hero must complete a final task alone- after the final task is successfully accomplished, the hero returns home, a leader of his people

WHAT IS A MYTH?

Humanities earliest imaginative attempt to explain the universe, its creation, and workingA story created to portray values and to teach behavior Usually involves supernatural or imaginary personsIt provides reassurance and meaning, and they are usually closely associated with religious beliefs They explain the unexplainable

THE PURPOSE OF CULTURAL MYTHS

Reveals the way of life and thought of that cultureWestern civilization traces roots back to Greek cultureWhere do we see myths today???

THE THREE FATESCONTROLLED

HUMAN DESTINY AND

LIFEClotho – spins thread of lifesings of those that are

Lachesis – measuressings of the things that were

Atropos – cuts the threadsings about the things that will be

Fate=destiny

MUSES – 9 DAUGHTERS OF ZEUS & MNEMOSYNEThey inspired the artsClioHistory

EuterpeLyric poetry & music

ThaliaComedy

MelpomemeTragedy

Terpsichondance

Erato love poetry

PolyhymniaSacred song & oratory

CalliopeEpic poetry

Uraniaastronomy

ATHENAGoddess of war and wisdom, arts and crafts

Athena tried to solve everything peacefully (with wisdom)

Her brother, Ares (god of war), son of Zeus & Hera, was the most hated of the gods

Athena was Odysseus’ special protector. They were both a bit cunning.

GREEK HOSPITALITY

Hospitable – friendly and solicitous toward guests, new arrivals

VERY IMPORTANT TO THE GREEKS!!!Zues demanded that strangers be treated graciouslyOne never knew when a god would come in disguise to visit

Violating or abusing the hospitality of a host was frowned upon

DEFINITIONS nymph – minor female divinities beautiful, youthful spirits of natureenchantress – a female who enchants (charms) by using magicsorcerer/ess – magician, wizardlibation – drink offering to a gododyssey – a long journeyepic – long, narrative poem with a heroprophecy – prediction of the futuredeity – another name for god/goddess