intro into the odyssey english i. what is a hero? “when the first superman movie came out, i was...

Intro into The OdysseyIntro into The OdysseyEnglish IEnglish I

What is a hero?What is a hero?

““When the first Superman movie came out, I When the first Superman movie came out, I was frequently asked what is a hero?”....My was frequently asked what is a hero?”....My answer was that a hero is someone who answer was that a hero is someone who commits action without considering the commits action without considering the consequences...Now my definition is consequences...Now my definition is completely different. I think a hero is an completely different. I think a hero is an ordinary individual who finds strength to ordinary individual who finds strength to persevere and endure in spite of overwhelming persevere and endure in spite of overwhelming obstacles.” - Christopher Reeveobstacles.” - Christopher Reeve


““A hero is simply someone who rises about his A hero is simply someone who rises about his own human weaknesses for an hour, a day, a own human weaknesses for an hour, a day, a year, to do something stirring.” - Betty Deramusyear, to do something stirring.” - Betty Deramus

““Heroes take journeys, confront dragons, and Heroes take journeys, confront dragons, and discover the treasure of their true selves.” - discover the treasure of their true selves.” - Carol PearsonCarol Pearson

““A hero is no braver than an ordinary man, but A hero is no braver than an ordinary man, but he is braver five minutes longer.” - Ralph Waldo he is braver five minutes longer.” - Ralph Waldo EmersonEmerson


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TVX-cUJGdxs




Hero: A man of distinguished courage or Hero: A man of distinguished courage or ability, admired for his brave deeds and noble ability, admired for his brave deeds and noble qualities.qualities.


Epic Hero: Larger-than-life central character in Epic Hero: Larger-than-life central character in an epic.an epic.

Epic: A long narrative poem about important Epic: A long narrative poem about important events about the history or folklore of a nation events about the history or folklore of a nation or culture. or culture.

Through adventurous deeds, the epic hero Through adventurous deeds, the epic hero demonstrates traits that are valued by society demonstrates traits that are valued by society in which the epic originates.in which the epic originates.

The Odyssey is an epic poem.The Odyssey is an epic poem.

Odysseus is an epic heroOdysseus is an epic hero

““Now by the gods, I drove my big hand spike Now by the gods, I drove my big hand spike deep in the embers, charring it again, and deep in the embers, charring it again, and cheered my men along with battle talk to keep cheered my men along with battle talk to keep their courage up; no quitting now.”their courage up; no quitting now.”

The Odyssey: The Odyssey: BackgroundBackground

How might this person be an epic hero?How might this person be an epic hero?


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T6DJcgm3wNY




Many epics begin in media res (“in the middle Many epics begin in media res (“in the middle of things”), meaning that much of the of things”), meaning that much of the important action in the story occurred before important action in the story occurred before the point at which the poem begins. Therefore, the point at which the poem begins. Therefore, the epic hero’s adventures are often recounted the epic hero’s adventures are often recounted in a flashback. in a flashback.


Other characteristics of epic poems:Other characteristics of epic poems:

An invocation to the muse.An invocation to the muse.

A concern with the fate of a nation or peopleA concern with the fate of a nation or people

Correspondinly large scaleCorrespondinly large scale

The intervention of supernatural figures The intervention of supernatural figures interested in the outcomeinterested in the outcome

Extended Similes (Called “Epic Similes”)Extended Similes (Called “Epic Similes”)


Extensive battle scenesExtensive battle scenes

A few stock episodes, including a visit to the A few stock episodes, including a visit to the underworld.underworld.

The Odyssey: SimilesThe Odyssey: Similes

A simile is a figure of speech in which two A simile is a figure of speech in which two unlike things or concepts are show to be unlike things or concepts are show to be similar, for poetic purposes, often through the similar, for poetic purposes, often through the use of the words “like” or “as.”use of the words “like” or “as.”


For example: Her hair is alike sunshine or her For example: Her hair is alike sunshine or her breath is as rank as an old gym sock. breath is as rank as an old gym sock.


An epic simile sometimes extends the An epic simile sometimes extends the comparison to expansive proportions.comparison to expansive proportions.

The Odyssey: EpithetsThe Odyssey: Epithets

Homer’s poetics include noticeable devices Homer’s poetics include noticeable devices that may seem odd to a modern reader . One that may seem odd to a modern reader . One is his extensive use of epithets. is his extensive use of epithets.


An epithet is a term or phrase used to An epithet is a term or phrase used to characterize the nature of a character, an characterize the nature of a character, an object, or an event. An epithet that has object, or an event. An epithet that has become cliche’ because of its excessive use in become cliche’ because of its excessive use in earlier translations of The Odyssey is “rosy-earlier translations of The Odyssey is “rosy-fingered Dawn.” fingered Dawn.”


Morning’s first light is compared to rosy fingers Morning’s first light is compared to rosy fingers spreading across the land. spreading across the land.


Repetition is common with epithets.Repetition is common with epithets.

The Odyssey: Reading The Odyssey: Reading SkillSkill

Historical and Cultural Context: The backdrop Historical and Cultural Context: The backdrop of a details of the time and place in which the of a details of the time and place in which the work is set or which it is written. These details work is set or which it is written. These details include specific events, beliefs, and customs.include specific events, beliefs, and customs.

The Odyssey: Reading The Odyssey: Reading SkillSkill

Think of examples in entertainment with Think of examples in entertainment with historical and cultural context.historical and cultural context.


The Trojan War: The Odyssey describes the The Trojan War: The Odyssey describes the experiences of the Greek hero Odysseus as he experiences of the Greek hero Odysseus as he makes his way home after the Trojan War. makes his way home after the Trojan War. According to legend, the Trojan War was According to legend, the Trojan War was sparked when Paris ran off with Helen. A Greek sparked when Paris ran off with Helen. A Greek force attacked Troy (Modern Day Turkey) to force attacked Troy (Modern Day Turkey) to recapture her. They were victorious after 10 recapture her. They were victorious after 10 years.years.

The Odyssey: HomerThe Odyssey: Homer

Homer is the legendary poet credited with Homer is the legendary poet credited with writing the Iliad and the Odyssey. writing the Iliad and the Odyssey.

He was alive around 800 B.C.He was alive around 800 B.C.

Homer’s stories have been the basis for many Homer’s stories have been the basis for many Hollywood movies, including Troy.Hollywood movies, including Troy.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ayeefzyPQtE




Exit Slip (This is worth 20 points)Exit Slip (This is worth 20 points)

Reading/Writing Connection: In the Odyssey, Reading/Writing Connection: In the Odyssey, Homer describes a journey filled with amazing Homer describes a journey filled with amazing adventures. Write a paragraph that tells of a adventures. Write a paragraph that tells of a journey you have taken or imagined. Describe journey you have taken or imagined. Describe something challenging or amazing that something challenging or amazing that occurred. Use at least three of these words: occurred. Use at least three of these words: coincide, eliminate, encounter, highlight, coincide, eliminate, encounter, highlight, interact. interact.

intro into the odyssey english i. what is a hero? “when the first superman movie came out, i was...

Documents

epic hero slide

epic similes

odyssey english

christopher reeve slide

ralph waldo emerson

characteristics of epic

epic heros adventures

background http