The Odyssey Background Notes

1. The Odyssey Background Notes Written by Homer

2. The Iliad and the Odyssey are epic poems that were composed in Greece around 700-800 B.C. • The events are based on mythology and legend, but can be factual. • These were both told orally, and often sung. • Until 1871, Troy was believed to be fictional. Archeologists found a walled city in the area described. It is located what is now known as Northwestern Turkey. Homer is believed to be a blind poet that is given credit for writing these pieces. However, because of its oral nature, these stories could have been created by many and written down by him.

3. “A long narrative poem about the adventures of a hero whose actions reflect the ideals and values of a nation or race.” (The Language of Literature, p. 482) Complete Odyssey has 12,000 lines and is divided into 24 books. Epics address universal themes: --Good vs. Evil --Life vs. Death --Sin vs. Redemption The Epic

4. Characteristics of an Epic (info. taken from The Language of Literature, p. 482) • In literature, an epic is a long narrative poem. It recounts the adventures of an epic hero, a larger-than-life figure who undertakes great journeys, and performs deeds requiring strength. • The Epic at a Glance: • Epic Hero • Epic Plot • Epic Setting • Archetypes • Epic Themes

5. Epic Hero • Epic Hero • Possesses superhuman strength, craftiness, and confidence • Is helped and harmed by interfering gods • Embodies ideals and values that a culture considers admirable • Emerges victorious from perilous situations

6. Epic Plot • Epic Plot- involves a long journey, full of complications such as: • Strange creatures • Divine intervention • Large-scale events • Treacherous weather

7. Epic Setting • Epic Setting • Includes fantastic or exotic lands • Involves more than one nation

8. Archetypes • Archetypes- all epics include archetypes—characters, situations, and images that are recognizable in many times and cultures. • Examples: Temptress, hero, loyal servant

9. Epic Themes • Epic Themes- reflect such universal concerns such as • Courage • A homecoming • Loyalty • The fate of a nation • Beauty • Life and death

10. The Trojan War • Thought to have occurred around 1200 B.C. • According to legend, it was thought to have started because the prince of Troy, named Paris, stole Helen, the most beautiful woman in the world, from her husband, King Menelaus, who was the king of Sparta. Menelaus recruited many kings and soldiers from all over Greece to help him rescue his wife and take revenge on Troy. The battle is said to have lasted 10 years.

11. How did the Trojan War end? • Odysseus, the king of the island of Ithaca, was one of the many Greeks who sailed to Troy and besieged the walled city. He thought of a plan that made the Trojans think the Greeks had given up. • He devised a giant wooden horse to be built that would be left at the gates of Troy at night. • The Trojans, finding t he statue and no Greeks in sight (except for one left purposefully there to validate the plan), they pulled the Trojan horse inside their walled city. • After all had celebrated their “victory,” the Greeks snuck out of the horse and launched a surprise attack on the Trojans eventually burning their city to the ground and recapturing Helen.

12. The story of Odysseus . . . • Deals with the adventures he has to overcome as he tries to make his way home to Ithaca where his wife, Penelope, and child, Telemachus, whom he has not seen since Telemachus was just born. • He leaves Troy with 12 ships and approximately 720 men. • He does not encounter military opponents, but monsters and enchanting women who try to keep him from his wife.

13. Olympian Gods and Goddesses • During Homer’s time, gods and goddesses played an important role in their lives. • They believed that the gods took an active interest in human’s affairs and often engaged in punishing humans, meddling in love affairs, quarrels, and even were jealous of humans. • (We will fill out a handout detailing information on the gods and goddesses.)

14. Strategies on how to read an epic: ~ Read the lines as you would for any other story---don’t be afraid of the poetry format. ~ The more you read, the more you’ll get used to the poetic language used in Odyssey. ~ Read parts of the poem aloud. It helps bring the literature alive. Remember that this poetry was meant to be heard. ~ Use the notes in the margins for pronunciations of names, meanings of difficult terms, and background information. ~ Reread sections you don’t understand. ~ To keep track of the events and characters, use the reading guide or a summary chart

15. Important Characters in the Odyssey Helios- the sun god, who raises his cattle on the island of Thrinacia Zeus- the ruler of the Greek gods and goddesses; father of Athena and Apollo Telemachus- Odysseus’ son Penelope- Odysseus’ wife Hermes- the god of invention, commerce, and cunning; messenger of the gods

16. Characters… Calypso- a sea goddess who lives on the island of Ogygia Laertes- Odysseus’ father Alcinous- the king of the Phaeacians Circe- a goddess and enchantress who lives on the island of Aeaea Cicones- allies of the Trojans, who live at Ismarus

17. Characters… Lotus Eaters- inhabitants of a land Odysseus visits Cyclopes- a race of one-eyed giants; an individual member of the race is a Cyclops Apollo- the god of music, poetry, prophecy, and medicine Poseidon- the god of the seas, earthquakes, and horses; father of the Cyclops who battles Odysseus

18. Characters… Aeolus- the guardian of the winds Laestrygones- cannibal inhabitants of a distant land Eurylochus- a trusted officer of Odysseus’ Persephone- the wife of Hades, ruler of the underworld Tiresias- a blind prophet whose spirit Odysseus visits in the underworld

19. Characters Elpenor- one of Odysseus’ crew, killed in an accident Sirens- creatures, part woman and part bird, whose songs lure sailors to their death Scylla- a six-headed sea monster who devours sailors Charybdis- a dangerous whirlpool personified as a female sea monster

20. Characters… Athena- the goddess of war, wisdom, and cleverness; goddess of crafts Eumaeus- a servant in Odysseus’ household Argos- Odysseus’ dog Antinous- a suitor of Penelope’s Eurymachus- a suitor of Penelope’s

21. Characters… Philoetius- a servant in Odysseus’ household Amphinomus- a suitor of Penelope’s Eurynome- a female servant in Odysseus’ household Eurycleia- an old female servant, still loyal to Odysseus