Transcript The Odyssey
The Odyssey A presentation designed to put you in a perpetual state of awe and interest [clap] Brilliantly crafted by Susan Halberg and Angela Kemp Prior Knowledge The History Ancient Greece What did the Greeks value? • Democracy (government) • Art and architecture • Theater • The Gods and Goddesses • Sports (First Olympics) • Science and Technology Ancient Greece: Modern Influences Government: written code of laws, trial by jury, and democracy Culture: language, myths, and philosophy Arts: Plays, poetry, sculpture, pottery, and classical architecture Science and Technology: astronomy, geometry, and modern inventions (lever, pulley, pump) Background Information The Illiad and The Odyssey were in Greece around 750-725 B.C. Considered greatest epic masterpieces Delivered orally Three important elements of the plot: • The Trojan War • Odysseus’ heroism • The interference of the gods The Trojan War 13th-12th Century B.C. The Trojans were people from ancient Troy (Turkey) The Trojan War ~1200 B.C, first recorded in The Odyssey Huge reference in classical literature The legend: Paris, a Trojan prince, kidnapped Helena from her husband, Menelaus, the king of Sparta. Menelaus recruited kings and soldiers to avenge his honor and recover his wife. Greeks held Troy under siege for 10 yrs. The Trojan Horse The Greeks wanted to sneak into the gates of Ancient Troy, so they built a giant wooden horse and told the Trojans it was a gift from the Achaeans (Greeks). The Greek soldiers hid inside and conquered Troy to win the war! Gods and Goddesses Introduction to Mythology The Greek myths were an ancient religion. The Greeks used stories of the gods and goddesses to make sense of human nature and the world around them. Introduction to Mythology The myths provided inspiration for a wealth of literature. Since the ancient Greeks began telling these stories in a preliterate era (before they had writing), the stories were passed down orally from generation to generation. The Intervention of the Gods and Goddesses The gods live on Mount Olympus The Greeks believed their gods interacted like humans and behaved in human ways. We refer to the action of the gods as divine intervention Greek mythology was considered to be religion, science, and literature. Mere Mortals The heroes, unlike the Gods, were not immortal, and most died on perilous journeys Many died fighting against the Titans and Greek monsters Our Friend Odysseus The hero of The Odyssey goes on one of those dangerous and long journeys, coming across many obstacles and fighting for his life numerous times before being able to return home after 10 years! He comes home to suitors trying to take over his house. HOMER Facts about Homer the Author Nothing certain; many theories He was a blind minstrel wandering from place to place reciting poems Many believe the books were not written by single person Facts about Homer Major Works Both brilliant retellings of myths and legends The Iliad Hero: Achilles War: Trojan Each is filled with Greek myths and stories of other heros. The Odyssey Hero: Odysseus War: Trojan Homer’s Life and Times 8th and 7th Century B.C. Greece Oral tradition of storytelling The “Iron Age” • Archeologists have determined this to be about the time when iron tools were invented The Odyssey The epic poem Epic? Epic: adjective Etymology: Latin epicus, from Greek epikos, from epos word, speech, poem more at voice Date: 1589 : extending beyond the usual or ordinary especially in size or scope <his genius was epic — Times Literary Supplement> b : heroic Epic Poem: •a long narrative poem describing a hero's deeds •a narrative poem is one that tells a story Epic and Yucky. The Odyssey Od·ys·sey noun Etymology: the Odyssey, epic poem attributed to Homer recounting the long wanderings of Odysseus 1 : a long wandering or voyage usually marked by many changes of fortune 2 : an intellectual or spiritual wandering or quest Setting During the Bronze Age of Ancient Greece From Troy, all around the islands, back home to Ithaca The Heroism of Odysseus The Odyssey is about Odysseus’ adventures in Ithaca on his way home from Troy. He departed from Troy with a fleet of 12 ships carrying 720 men. He encounters various monsters who attempt to keep him from his wife, Penelope and his son, Telemachus. He uses many tricks to get out of these difficult situations. God/Goddess Review Time to review the diety. http://www.buzzle.com/articles/listof-greek-gods-and-goddesses.html