Transcript Homer`s Odyssey PowerPoint Ody Intro

Homer’s Odyssey
An Introductory Lecture
Overview
I. Greek Mythology
II. The Trojan War
III. The Odyssey
Setting
Greece 1250 B.C.E.
Think about…
• What is a myth?
• What purpose do they serve?
• What is an example of a
myth? Briefly describe one.
• How do ancient myths
connect to our lives today?
Write responses in your notes.
Myths
• 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 Gods
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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 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 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 Bribe
• Hera offers him
POWER
• Athena offers him
WISDOM
• Aphrodite offers him the
MOST BEAUTIFUL
WOMAN in the WORLD
Paris chooses Aphrodite
Helen’s Abduction
• 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
“the face that launch’d a
thousand ships”
• One thousand ships, including
Odysseus and Achilles, leave
for Troy
Taking Sides
THE TROJANS
(Paris/Hector)
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Aphrodite
Ares
Apollo
Artemis
THE GREEKS
(Achilles/Odysseus)
• Hera
• Athena
• Poseidon
NOTE: Zeus favored the Trojans,
but stayed neutral to please Hera
The Bloody War
• Lasted ten years
• Hand-to-hand
combat
• Periods of
temporary truce
to bury the dead
• No fighting after
sunset
Clever 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!
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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
Odysseus’ Fate
• Greeks violated
Trojan temples
• Greeks did not offer
sacrifices to the gods
to thank them for
their victory
It is the END of the war…but
for Odysseus, the adventure is
just BEGINNING
• Odysseus, creator of
the Horse, will suffer
the most
Homer
NO
YES!
Homer
• Lived some 2700 years ago
• Greatest and finest 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
Epic 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
Characteristics
• 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
Homeric Hero
• 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
Homeric Hero
• 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
The Odyssey
• 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?
Plot
• 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 Journey
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
Call to Adventure…
Wise, Helpful Guides…
Dangerous Trials…
Meeting the Monster…
The Enchanted Forest…
The Sacrifice…
The Hero’s Return…
The Trojan War
The Gods & Goddesses
Sea Perils/Temptations
Cyclops, Scylla, Charybdis
The Land of the Dead
His Crew
Victory in Ithaca
Structure
• 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)
Themes
• Hospitality to
strangers
• Loyalty to friends
• Reputation (balance
of pride and honor)
• Importance of family
• Courage
Essential Questions
• Identity
– How do your
actions
demonstrate
your character?
• Power
– What are the
responsibilities of
a leader?
The End