The Odyssey Homer

-Written during the pre-Classical period of Greek history by a blind poet known asHomer

- It is not know whether Homer was a realperson or group of people, or if The Odysseyis one story created by one person or a group oftales passed down verbally through generationsand compiled into the epic we are acquaintedwith

At the end of the Trojan War, in the mid-1200’s, Greece was poor and sparselypopulated. There was no system of writingand tales of earlier, more prosperous andheroic times were told in the form of songsand poems.

Little is known about the TrojanWar except what is revealed in theepics of Homer and Virgil.

The Iliad and the Odyssey were theBeginnings of Western literature.

The Greeks believed completely in the existence of the gods which we nowconsider mythological.

Some city-states of Greece had godsassociated with their own regions.they relied on them in times of trouble.

These gods were human in form, but immortal and possessed superhumanpowers. They had human failingsand frequently came into conflictwith one another. Most Greeksthought it was only a matter ofmaking an offer to the right god to change their luck or fortune.

The Odyssey was originally writtenin Greek, one of the first written languages and the first languageto use letters for vowels.

The Greeks believed their country to be flatand circular, their own country occupyingthe middle of it.

The Mediterranean was referred toas “the sea,” and the center of thecountry was Mt. Olympus.

The Greeks knew little of any real peopleexcept those to the east and south of theirown country. Their imaginationpeopled the western portion of the sea withgiants, monsters, and enchantresses.

They believed thatthe dawn, sun, andmoon rose out of the ocean.

The abode of the gods was Mt. Olympus.The gate of clouds, kept by goddessesnamed “the Seasons” opened to admitthe passage of the celestials to earth.The gods had separate dwellings, but all repaired to the palace of Jupiterwhen summoned. They feasted onambrosia and nectar.

Themes of The Odyssey are tied closelyto values of Greek society of the time.

Home & Family – Odysseus never losessight of his goal of returning to Penelopeand Telemachus, despite all of hisdifficulties and temptations. Nothingis as important to him.

Loyalty to city-state and country – Odysseusis reluctant to go to war, but would neverthink of refusing his duty.

Power of gods and goddesses – Odysseus oftenthinks he is more clever or powerful than thegods. He is reminded of their power by hiscontinuing bad luck on his journey.

Hospitality and Kindness to Strangers –Greeks were known for their kindnessto guests, even those who were uninvited.Hospitality was considered a maincharacteristic of a civilized society. Greeks took pride in their highly refinedand civilized society.

Tenacity – Odysseus never gives up, no matterHow formidable his obstacles. This was theMark of a true hero. His physical strength,Endurance, and cleverness were characteristicsValued by the Greeks.

Code of Conduct for a Good Leader – Odysseusalways sees to the welfare of his men first andconducts himself as a leader worthy of respect.

Although AncientGreece does not seemvery civilized by ourstandards, the Greeks prided themselves on their advanced civilization. Thefirst democracy existed inAncient Greece.

Odysseus often felthe was smarterthan the gods andencountered manyobstacles as a resultof his arrogance.