The IliadThe IliadThe IliadThe Iliad

By HomerBy HomerBy HomerBy Homer

Key Ideas for EpicsKey Ideas for EpicsKey Ideas for EpicsKey Ideas for Epics

Divine Intervention

Heroic Tradition

Hero’s Journey

Divine Intervention

Heroic Tradition

Hero’s Journey

Hero’s JourneyHero’s JourneyHero’s JourneyHero’s Journey

1. Separationa) The Callb) The Threshold (Jumping off point)

i. Guardians

2. Initiation and Transformationa) Challengesb) The Abyssc) The Transformationd) The Revelatione) The Atonement

1. Separationa) The Callb) The Threshold (Jumping off point)

i. Guardians

2. Initiation and Transformationa) Challengesb) The Abyssc) The Transformationd) The Revelatione) The Atonement

Elements of Epic PoetryElements of Epic PoetryElements of Epic PoetryElements of Epic Poetry

Larger-than-life hero

Elevated Language

Superhuman Strength and Courage

Hero faces supernatural forces

Vast setting

Larger-than-life hero

Elevated Language

Superhuman Strength and Courage

Hero faces supernatural forces

Vast setting

VocabularyVocabularyVocabularyVocabulary

Epic Simile

Epithet

“in media res”

Tragic Flaw

Epic Simile

Epithet

“in media res”

Tragic Flaw

Homer’s WorldHomer’s WorldHomer’s WorldHomer’s World

About the EpicsAbout the EpicsAbout the EpicsAbout the Epics

Epic: a long narrative poem about the adventures of a hero who reflects the ideas and values of a nation or race.

The Iliad and The Odyssey were composed in Greece around 800 BC

Homer was a blind poet credited with originating these epics through oral storytelling

The epics were not written down for many years, so they may have had several authors over time.

Epic: a long narrative poem about the adventures of a hero who reflects the ideas and values of a nation or race.

The Iliad and The Odyssey were composed in Greece around 800 BC

Homer was a blind poet credited with originating these epics through oral storytelling

The epics were not written down for many years, so they may have had several authors over time.

ProphesiesProphesiesProphesiesProphesies

Thetis’s son (Achilles) will be greater than his father

Troy will fall when Achilles’s son fights with the Greeks

Priam’s younger son (Paris) will bring about the Fall of Troy

Thetis’s son (Achilles) will be greater than his father

Troy will fall when Achilles’s son fights with the Greeks

Priam’s younger son (Paris) will bring about the Fall of Troy

Helen of TroyHelen of TroyHelen of TroyHelen of Troy

Most beautiful woman in the world

Daughter of Zeus and Leda (wife of King Tyndareus of Sparta)

Sister of Clytemnestra (married Agamemnon, king of Mycenae)

Sister of Caster and Pollux (aka Polydeuces)

Most beautiful woman in the world

Daughter of Zeus and Leda (wife of King Tyndareus of Sparta)

Sister of Clytemnestra (married Agamemnon, king of Mycenae)

Sister of Caster and Pollux (aka Polydeuces)

Marriage of Helen and Marriage of Helen and MenelausMenelaus

Marriage of Helen and Marriage of Helen and MenelausMenelaus

Helen was kidnapped by Theseus (later King of Athens) when she was twelve, and was rescued by her brothers

Odysseus (King of Ithaca) suggested a contract between Helen’s suitors. He signed it, even though he planned to marry Penelope.

Helen was kidnapped by Theseus (later King of Athens) when she was twelve, and was rescued by her brothers

Odysseus (King of Ithaca) suggested a contract between Helen’s suitors. He signed it, even though he planned to marry Penelope.

Declaring WarDeclaring WarDeclaring WarDeclaring War

Paris brings Helen to Troy from Sparta (after “The Judgement of Paris”)

Menelaus reminds the nobles of their contract

Most of the nobles come immediately

Odysseus pretends to be mad by plowing his field with salt. Palamedes proves Odysseus is not mad by placing Odysseus’s infant son in front of the plow.

Paris brings Helen to Troy from Sparta (after “The Judgement of Paris”)

Menelaus reminds the nobles of their contract

Most of the nobles come immediately

Odysseus pretends to be mad by plowing his field with salt. Palamedes proves Odysseus is not mad by placing Odysseus’s infant son in front of the plow.

The Trojan WarThe Trojan WarThe Trojan WarThe Trojan War

The trip to Troy (in Turkey) from Greece, is long and arduous (they get lost).

The Greeks attack Troy for ten years

Hera and Athena support the Greeks

Aphrodite supports Paris

The Iliad tells the story of the war, while The Odyssey tells the story of Odysseus’s trip home.

The trip to Troy (in Turkey) from Greece, is long and arduous (they get lost).

The Greeks attack Troy for ten years

Hera and Athena support the Greeks

Aphrodite supports Paris

The Iliad tells the story of the war, while The Odyssey tells the story of Odysseus’s trip home.