Transcript Homer, Heroes, and The Odyssey

Homer,
HEROES, and
The Odyssey
Homer
Ancient Greek epic poet
No reliable biographical information about
him
May have lived around the time of the
Trojan War OR 3 centuries later
Believed that he was a court singer and
storyteller
Author of The Iliad and The Odyssey
Homer
Types of Heroes
Situation Hero:
A person who “saves the day” by completing a heroic act.
This person’s hero status may be celebrated, but only for a
short period of time.
Epic Hero:
A hero has some unusual qualities that separate him from
the average person.
In Greek mythology, a hero was often of divine origin,
being the progeny of a deity.
A hero can be defined as a person who acts in a way that
benefits the greater good of his society.
OTHER TYPES OF HEROES
Heroes fall into one of (or sometimes a
combination of) three main archetypes or
categories:
• the Warrior,
• the Scholar,
• and the Saint.
The Warrior Hero
The Warrior archetype are those who in
some way base their sense of hero-hood on
strength.
This could be strength of purpose, physical
strength, will power, endurance,
perseverance, or some other form of
strength
The Scholar
The Scholar archetype bases their sense of
hero-hood on being 'smart'.
This could be founded in formal education,
street-smarts, skills and abilities.
The Saint
The Saints base their sense of hero-hood in
a desire to be (or be seen as) good.
This could be played out through formal
religion or through doing things that are
generally seen as "good."
The Tragic Hero
Noble birth
Well-liked
Tragic flaw (hamartia)
Downfall
The Odyssey
An adventure story
Odysseus
Journey home from Troy
Survival
Divine justice
Characters in The Odyssey
Odysseus - son of Laertes, king of Ithaca, hero of
Trojan War, master of strategies
Eurylochus - second in command to Odysseus
Calypso
Athena
Poseidon
Hermes
Characters in The Odyssey
Lotus-eaters
Polyphemus - son of Poseidon, a Cyclops
Aeolus - keeper of the winds
Circe
Characters in The Odyssey
In the Underworld:
Hades – god of the Underworld
Teiresias - blind prophet
Agamemnon – commander in the Trojan War
Achilles – central character of The Illiad
Ajax – hero in the Trojan War
Heracles – (Roman=Hercules) Greek hero; paragon of
masculinity
Characters in The Odyssey
Back in Ithaca:
Penelope - wife of Odysseus
Telemachus - son of Odysseus and
Penelope
Antinous - principal suitor
Terms/Techniques to look for
Epic - long narrative poem or story about a
hero
Reflects customs, habits, aspirations of a people
Hero’s legendary travels, over a long period of
time
Muses - goddesses of the arts
Called upon by the author to help tell the story
In medias res - in the middle of things
Story starts in the middle, at hero’s lowest point
Terms/Techniques to look for
Deeds of valor (great courage)
Hamartia
A fatal flaw leading to the downfall of a hero
Hubris
Excessive pride or self-confidence
Supernatural forces – i.e. the gods
Repetition
What stock phrases do you see used again and again?
Roles of the gods
Determine human misery
Punish humans
Provide aid to humans
Deus ex machina
God from the machinery
An unexpected power or event saving a
seemingly hopeless situation
JOSEPH CAMPBELL’S
HERO JOURNEY
HOW TO BECOME
AN EPIC HERO
The Hero’s Journey
A hero’s journey can be divided into steps.
The journey is a single process and an individual adventure
towards growth and transformation.
The sequence of elements and the duration of the
experiences will vary from one person to another.
Remember that the journey is a process of separation,
transformation, and return.
Each stage must be completed successfully if the herocandidate is to become Heroic.
The Hero Journey (overview)
Separation or Departure (from the known)
-The Call to Adventure
-Refusal of the Call
-Supernatural Aid
-Crossing the First Threshold
Initiation and Transformation
-The Road of Trials
-Meeting with the Goddess
-Atonement with the Father
-Apotheosis
-Ultimate Boon
The Return (to the known world)
-The Refusal of the Return
-Rescue from Without
-Magic Flight
-Crossing of the Return Threshold
-Master of Two Worlds
-Freedom to Live
The Separation & Departure
The Call to Adventure
The hero-candidate is “called” or offered the
opportunity to face the unknown and gain
something of physical or spiritual value.
He may choose willingly to undertake the quest,
or we may be dragged into it unwillingly.
The hero-candidate is summoned by a HERALD
or messenger.
The Call continued
The hero-candidate’s call to adventure may be a blunder
(unintended mistake) which reveals an unsuspected world,
and that individual is drawn into a relationship with forces
that are not rightly understood.
Within this range The Call can take many forms:
• something taken from the hero-candidate, his family, or society; the
quest is to reclaim it,
• Something is lacking in the hero-candidate’s life, and he must find
what is missing,
• Wants to save or restore honor to one’s self own, family, or
country.
• Something is not permitted to members of his society, and he must
win these rights for his people.
Supernatural Aid
In most stories, the hero will have a
guide, someone who is wise in the ways
of the world, and someone who will offer
the hero guidance and wisdom as he/she
progresses through the journey.