“The Odyssey”An Epic by Homer

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Epic Vocabulary• Epic: a long narrative poem written about a serious subject.• Myth: a traditional story of anonymous

origin that deals with gods, goddesses, heroes, and supernatural events.

• Epic Hero: central character in an epic. He is driven by his desire to save his country or its people during a time of crisis.

• Archetype: a thing, person, or pattern of circumstances that appears repeatedly in literature.

Epic Hero• He is strong, courageous, noble

and confident.• He has a thirst for glory.• Most (including Odysseus) are known for

their intelligence, quick thinking, and tremendous self-confidence.

• Most are articulate speakers and can win over their audience with ease.

• They are deeply admired for their ability to use both brains and brawn to defeat an enemy and to deal with any other challenge that arises.

Epic Monster

s• Hold power over the human world.• Many kill without mercy and wreak

general havoc.• Gods have the power to create and

destroy at will.• Often it is the task of the epic hero to

subdue the monster or appease the gods.

The Art of Oral Poetry

• Greek singers recited their poems so that long syllables and short syllables alternated in a regular pattern.

• Rhythm was the key…certain phrases worked better than others because they fit in rhythmically in a line of poetry.

• Many times the poet uses refrains or lines repeated over and over for effect (this was because it made it easier to remember).

Homer• We know he created the Iliad and the Odyssey. Critics put their composition around 750 B.C.• Was a Greek oral poet who traveled

chanting the poems to musical accompaniment (legend has it he was blind).

• He lived on the rocky Greek island of Chios.• Many lines are repeated over and over to

make it easier to remember.

Homer Continued

• He recited them over 2,700 years ago some time before 700 B.C.

• This was the time when the Greeks were developing an alphabet and beginning to write things down on paper called papyrus.

• His works were written down LONG after his death.

• His epics include famous people from history as well as from legend, myth, and folktales.

The Epic

• Long narrative poem• Speaker is the narrator who tells the story.• Setting is expansive.• Main character is a hero or is capable of

being heroic.• The action includes extraordinary or

superhuman deeds.• Gods or supernatural beings take a part or

interest in the action.• Purpose is to teach and inspire the listener

or reader.

Epic Narration• Narrated in predictable ways

– In an invocation, the poet-narrator begins by stating the tale’s subject and asking for poetic inspiration from a guiding spirit (Muse).

–Narrator begins by telling the tale “in the middle of things” describing what is happening after certain important events have already occurred (and sometimes flashes back to tell them to you)

Epic Narration Continued

– Includes speeches by principal characters (including gods and antagonists of the epic hero---who reveal their personalities)

–Narrator’s tone and style are formal rather than conversational.

–Use of figurative language makes the narrative vivid and exciting for listeners and readers.

Vocabulary• Figurative Language: language that

uses figures of speech such as hyperbole, metaphors, similes, and personification.

• Epic (Homeric) Simile: extends a comparison with elaborate details that can fill several lines

• Epithet: a common epic element that allows the reader to quickly identify the character. Many times they are used over and over in the work…sometimes to help the poet “catch his breath” as he is reciting.