The Odyssey

1
The Odyssey

• By Homer

2
Homer

• A. Poet who went blind
• B. Wrote poems that were handed down, becoming
  epics
• C. Lived in 8th or 9th century B.C. in Asia Minor
  (Turkey)
• D. Illiterate?? Tales/poems were sungoral
  tradition
• E. Iliad and Odyssey widely known in classical
  Greece

3
Trojan War

• A. Lasted 10 years before total destruction of
  Troy
• B. Each city-state had its own system of
  government, so wars were common
• C. Caused by Helen of Greece, who was stolen
  by Paris
• D. Greeks created Trojan Horse and won the war

4
Epic

• A. Long story told in elevated language (usually
  poetry), which relates the great deeds of a
  larger-than-life hero who embodies the values of
  a particular society
• B. Includes myth, legend, folk tale, history

5
Epic Hero

• A. The protagonist of an epic poem
• B. Represents his nation, culture, or race
• C. A noble figure with military experience and
  great virtue (always wants to do the right thing)