HomerHomer’’s s OdysseyOdysseyAn Introductory Lecture

OverviewOverview

I. Greek Mythology

II. The Trojan War

III. The Odyssey

SettingSetting

Greece 1250 Greece 1250 B.C.E.B.C.E.

MythsMyths

• A myth is an explanation of something in nature; how everything in the universe came into existence and all that happens

• Myths are early science but also entertainment; they are precursors to modern literature

• Greek mythology is made up of stories about gods and goddesses

The The GodsGods

• Zeus, king of the gods• Hera, Zeus’ wife, queen of the gods• Athena, goddess of wisdom• Poseidon, god of the sea• Hades, god of the underworld• Aphrodite, goddess of love and

beauty• Artemis, goddess of the hunt• Apollo, Artemis’ twin, god of the

sun• Ares, god of war

The Trojan WarThe Trojan War

• Archaeological remains provide evidence of a war around 1260-1250 B.C.E., but cause unknown

• Scholars believe the war began over control of the trade route between the Aegean and Black Seas

• Ancient mythology states that the war began over a woman

The StoryThe Story

• King Peleus marries sea nymph Thetis

• All gods on Olympus are invited except ERIS, the Goddess of Discord

• Eris crashes the wedding and leaves a parting gift: an apple with the words “For the Fairest” on it

• Hera (Queen of Gods), Athena, (Goddess of Wisdom/War), and Aphrodite (Goddess of Love) all claim the apple

• Paris, Prince of Troy, will be the judge

??

The BribeThe Bribe• Hera offers him

POWER

• Athena offers him WISDOM

• Aphrodite offers him the MOST BEAUTIFUL WOMAN in the WORLD

Paris chooses Aphrodite

HelenHelen’’s s AbductionAbduction

• Helen is the beautiful daughter of King of Sparta (in Greece)

• Helen has many suitors, and they swear oath to protect Helen and her new husband

• Father chooses Menelaus and makes him King of Sparta also

• Paris abducts Helen

• One thousand ships, including Odysseus and Achilles, leave for Troy

“the face that launch’d a thousand ships”

Taking Taking SidesSides

THE TROJANS(Paris/Hector)

• Aphrodite• Ares• Apollo• Artemis

THE GREEKS(Achilles/Odysseus)

• Hera• Athena• Poseidon

NOTE: Zeus favored the Trojans, but stayed neutral to please Hera

The Bloody The Bloody WarWar

• Lasted ten years

• Hand-to-hand combat

• Periods of temporary truce to bury the dead

• No fighting after sunset

Clever Clever Odysseus Odysseus

• The Greeks build a gigantic hollow horse and hide inside

• Sinon chosen to tell a tale of the Greeks leaving

• Priest Laocoon tried to warn the Trojans: “I fear the Greeks even when they bear gifts”

• Poseidon sent a serpent to kill Laocoon

Surprise! Surprise! • In middle of night Greeks leave horse and attack• Troy is in flames before Trojans know what has

happened• King of Troy dead, women and children become

slaves• Helen is returned to Menelaus

OdysseusOdysseus’’ FateFate

• Greeks violated Trojan temples

• Greeks did not offer sacrifices to the gods to thank them for their victory

• Odysseus, creator of the Horse, will suffer the mostIt is the END of the war…

but for Odysseus, the adventure is just

BEGINNING

HomerHomer

NO YES!

• Lived some 2700 years ago

• Greatest Greek bard (singer-poet) who also happened to be blind

• First recorder of formerly oral, epic poems that served to entertain the ancient Greeks

• Wrote the Iliad and the Odyssey around 700 B.C.E.

• By the time they were written down, these works had survived 400 years of additions, subtractions, and mutations

HomerHomer

Epic PoetryEpic Poetry• An epic is a story-

poem about a great hero who performs daring deeds that require superhuman courage

• Told orally, not written, recited from memory by minstrels (traveling entertainers)

• In Greek epics the gods frequently help or hinder the hero

CharacteristiCharacteristicscs• Vast setting• Style

– Formal tone and diction

– Hero delivers long, formal speeches

• Plot – A dangerous journey

in foreign lands – Supernatural beings

• Themes– Reflects timeless

values– Universal themes,

such as good vs. evil

• A larger-than-life figure• Usually male and of

noble birth• Takes part in long,

dangerous adventures• Reflects the values and

ideals of a nation• Actions determine the

fate of his people • Seeks revenge for

injustices or wrongs committed against him, his family, his society

• Performs courageous acts

Epic Hero Epic Hero QualitiesQualities

• Excels in skill, strength, and courage

• Accepts challenges and sometimes invites problems

• Generous to his followers, ruthless to enemies

• Encounters women who tempt him

• Usually has a guide

• Battles demons or monsters

• Achieves his goal

Epic Hero Qualities Epic Hero Qualities ContCont’’d.d.

The The OdysseyOdyssey

• What is the literal definition of an odyssey? What is its metaphorical definition?

• An odyssey can be described as– A series of wanderings– Trials and tribulations– Joys and successes

• How can I use Odysseus’ journey as a paradigm for my life?

PloPlott• Picks up after the conclusion of the Iliad

• 10-year adventurous voyage of Odysseus and his men after the Trojan War

• His intended destination is his homeland of Ithaca and his beloved wife Penelope

Unfortunately, they get a little sidetracked…

The JourneyThe Journey

1. Call to Adventure… The Trojan War2. Wise, Helpful Guides… The Gods &

Goddesses

3. Dangerous Trials… Sea Perils/Temptations4. Meeting the Monster… Cyclops, Scylla,

Charybdis

5. The Enchanted Forest… The Land of the Dead

6. The Sacrifice… His Crew7. The Hero’s Return… Victory in Ithaca

StructurStructuree

• Divided into three sections– Books 1-4: Focus on Odysseus’ son

– Books 5-12: Describe Odysseus as he makes his way home to Ithaca

– Books 13-24: Describe the events after his return to Greece and is reunited with his family

• As you read, consider:– The role of the hero (that which is within his

control)

– The role of divine intervention (that which is beyond the hero’s control)

ThemeThemess

• Hospitality to strangers

• Loyalty to friends

• Reputation (balance of pride and honor)

• Importance of family

• Courage

Essential Essential QuestionsQuestions

• What makes someone heroic?

• How do I manifest my own destiny?

• How do we connect “The Odyssey” to our previous units/texts?

The The EndEnd