the odyssey. what is an epic? a long narrative poem about a legendary hero who represents the...
TRANSCRIPT
What is an Epic?A long narrative poem about a
legendary hero who represents the cultural values of a nation.
The poem is in a formal and dignified tone.
Supernatural elements are frequently present.
HomerPoetHe was thought
to be blind, but describes events as a seeing person.
Lived around 1200 B.C.
The IlliadStory of the last year of the
Trojan WarWar had lasted 10 years.Troy was defeated when
Ulysses and his men were able to get inside the walls of Troy concealed within the body of the Trojan horse.
The Odyssey
The story of the journey of Ulysses and his men trying to get home after the Trojan War.
The journey takes 10 yearsAn epic about humans on the
journey of life overcoming temptations along the way.
The OdysseyToday, The Odyssey has been reinterpreted into several different works of film and television.
ULYSSESThe main character is called either Ulysses
(Latin), Odysseus (Greek), or Ulixes (Roman). Also known as Olysseus, Oulixeus, or Oulixes.
Ulysses is the king of Ithaca and the husband of Penelope. When he left to fight the Trojan War, he left Penelope pregnant with his son, Telemachus.
Ulysses is well-known for his resourcefulness and guile and is known by his epithet, “Ulysses the Cunning.”
ULYSSESThe Iliad and The Odyssey are not the only stories that Ulysses is mentioned in!
The Romans hated the guy and in Virgil's, Aeneid, the story of the legendary story of Aeneas, a Trojan who traveled to Italy and became the ancestor of the Romans, Ulysses is referred to as “cruel Odysseus” or “deceitful Odysseus.”
Although Ulysses’ cunning and deceit were admired by the Greeks, the Romans saw it as dishonorable.
Penelope
Wife of Odysseus and
mother of Telemachus.
Penelope spends her days
in the palace pining for the
husband who left for Troy twenty years earlier and never returned. Homer portrays her as sometimes flighty and excitable but also clever and steadfastly true to her husband.
Telemachus
(Tell-e-mack-us)Odysseus’s son. He
is a natural obstacle to the suitors desperately courting his mother, but despite his courage and good heart, he initially lacks the poise and confidence to oppose them.
EURYLOCHUS(Your-E-Low-Cuss)Ulysses’ second in command.Cowardly and unpleasant, he
frequently undermines Ulysses’ authority and causes trouble.
Relative of Ulysses through marriage.
Antinous
The most arrogant of Penelope’s suitors. Antinous leads the campaign to have Telemachus killed.
Eurymachus
A manipulative, deceitful suitor. Eurymachus’s charisma and duplicity allow him to exert some influence over the other suitors.
Amphinomus
Among the dozens of suitors, the only decent man seeking Penelope’s hand in marriage. Amphinomus sometimes speaks up for Odysseus and Telemachus.
Eumaeus
The loyal shepherd who, along with the cowherd Philoetius, helps Odysseus reclaim his throne after his return to Ithaca.
Eurycleia
The aged and loyal servant who nursed Odysseus and Telemachus when they were babies. Eurycleia is well informed about palace intrigues and serves as confidante to her masters.
Tiresias
A Theban prophet, Tiresias meets Odysseus when Odysseus journeys to the underworld. He shows Odysseus how to get back to Ithaca and allows Odysseus to communicate with the other souls in Hades.
AthenaDaughter of Zeus and
goddess of wisdom, purposeful battle, and the womanly arts. Athena assists Odysseus and Telemachus with divine powers throughout the epic, and she speaks up for them in the councils of the gods on Mount Olympus.
CALYPSO
The beautiful nymph who falls in love with Odysseus when he lands on her island-home of Ogygia. Calypso holds him prisoner there for seven years until Hermes, the messenger god, persuades her to let him go.
CIRCE (Sir-Cee)
The beautiful witch-goddess who transforms Odysseus’s crew into swine when he lands on her island. With Hermes’ help, Odysseus resists Circe’s powers and then becomes her lover, living in luxury at her side for a year.
Polyphemus
One of the Cyclopes (uncivilized one-eyed giants) whose island Odysseus comes to soon after leaving Troy. Polyphemus imprisons Odysseus and his crew and tries to eat them. He is Poseidon's son.
Charybdis (Car-Rib-Diss)
A monster at the bottom of the ocean who, three times a day, caused a whirlpool that would pull in sailors to their deaths.
Scylla (Cil-Uh)A monster with 12 feet and 6
heads with 3 rows of teeth, carries off a sailor in each mouth