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Ancient Greece Background Government and Politics Greek City States – Called a “polis” – Athens and Sparta the most powerful – Lead to much violence and warring The Good Life Philosophy, Education, and Literature extremely important Philosophy derives from Greek word meaning “love of wisdom” Stressed learning about the world at large – great advances in science, medicine, art, philosophy Acropolis Erechtheum Sculpture Literature Homer - One of the greatest Greek poets -Wrote The Illiad and The Odyssey -Celebrated the heroes of the Trojan War -Set the standard for the epic pattern -Created archetypes that hundreds of great writers – including Vergil, Dante, Shakespeare, James Joyce – alluded to when in the need of a metaphor -One of our biggest sources of information on Greek ideals and mythology The Epic A long, narrative poem built around a hero and his adventures Setting in a far away, vast and often unnatural land A hero struggles and is put up to a test of endurance to prove his arete Usually gods or supernatural beings take part in the action Follows a very specific story pattern Epic Style Tone is over the top and elevated and highly formal in language Traditionally told in the oral tradition, which means they were memorized and sung along to musical accompaniment, usually a harp Used repetition again to stay in rhythm and aid memory Repetition pleased audiences, like a song chorus Epic Style In Medias Res (in the middle of things) – Many major events have already taken place and are later revealed in flashbacks – Audiences were already familiar with the story, only needed to develop theme The Invocation of the Muse – Muses are nine goddesses who were believed to preside over the arts and sciences – Homer calls on the Muse to inspire him with the material he needs to write the story Purpose of the Epic Conveyed information about the culture that created them, including their history, weapons, rules, fears, beliefs Used as text books: contained history, moral rules, values, and ideals Epic hero represents the ideal man: by looking at his traits, we can see what the people found important and what they valued The Epic Hero The Epic Hero Embodies Specific Traits – Has superior or superhuman abilities (strength, cunning, intelligence) – Is significant or glorified in culture – noble birth – Reflects the ideals of a particular society – Is charged with a quest – Receives help from others or new powers – Has a weakness or a flaw that gets him into trouble (usually hubris – pride) – Ethical – does what is right for his people The Legacy of the Epic Epic Hero Cycle has been used in hundreds of tales and in nearly every culture Archetype – universally understood symbol or character that has been copied over and over again so that audiences know what to expect Archetype Examples The Villain The Hero The Wise Old Man The Damsel in Distress Other Archetypes The The The The The The Underdog Trickster/Fool Witch Temptress Mother Figure Father Figure Epic Example – The Lion King Unusual Birth or Born of Noble Birth Simba was born a prince Charged with a Quest Simba is told by Mufasa to avenge his death and save his kingdom. ****Only he knows the real truth and can battle Scar. Travels to an Unknown World (Sometimes Symbolically) Simba has to remain in Scar’s land and learns to fight the bad guys Hero is Tested to Prove His Worthiness Simba fights the hyenas, Nala, trains with Timon and Pumba Magical or Helpful Companions Reaches a Low Point – Hero is Nearly Defeated A Resurrection Simba overcomes and defeats Scar Restitution – Hero regains rightful place or wins the prize The Story The Acheans (Homer’s word for the Greeks), have been fighting a ten year war against Troy. On their way home, Odysseus, the Greek hero, and his men anger the sea god Poseidon when they blind his son, the giant Cyclops. Poseidon does everything he can to prevent Odysseus and his men from getting home. This takes him another ten years. The Story Cont. Meanwhile, while Odysseus was gone, suitors are fighting to marry his wife, Penelope, so that they may become the king of Ithaca. To avoid this, Penelope tells her suitors that she will choose one as soon as she finishing weaving a tapestry, but she undoes the work she does during the day every night. Setting About 3,200 years ago Written about 600 years after the actual Trojan War ended – is a mixture of fact, legend, and myth Outside Troy, a great walled city in present day Turkey Gods and Goddesses Zeus (Jupiter) – King of the gods, god of the sky and of thunder Aphrodite (Venus) goddess of love, lust and beauty Apollo (Apollo) god of music, medicine, health and archery Ares (Mars) God of war, murder, and blood shed Athena (Minerva) Goddess of wisdom, warfare, strategy, handicrafts, reason – wife to Zeus Demeter (Ceres) Goddess of fertility, agriculture, grain, and harvest Dionysus (Bacchus) God of wine, parties, and merriment Artemis (Diana) Goddess of the hunt and of all wild things, and the moon Hades (Pluto) God of the underworld and of wealth Haphaestus (Vulcan) God of fire and the forge (makes weapons and armor) Hera (Juno) Goddess of marriage, women, childbirth Hermes (Mercury) God of flight, thieves, mischief, commerce Hestia (Vesta) Goddess of hearth and home Poseidon (Neptune) God of the sea and of earthquakes