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The%20Odyssey

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The Odyssey What is an Epic? Contd. Shows values and beliefs of a culture The setting Often encompasses many lands, nations, worlds, universes, etc. Involves ... – PowerPoint PPT presentation

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Title: The%20Odyssey


1
The Odyssey
2
Some Background
  • Composed circa 600-800 BC by Homer
  • The Odyssey is an epic poem
  • A written version of the classic oral tradition
  • Uses repetition as a memory aid

3
What is an Epic?
  • A long, narrative poem detailing adventures of a
    hero who is
  • Larger than life
  • Historically significant
  • (Mostly) favored by the gods
  • Mortal
  • On a journey or quest
  • Exceptionally moral

4
What is an Epic? Contd.
  • Shows values and beliefs of a culture
  • The setting
  • Often encompasses many lands, nations, worlds,
    universes, etc.
  • Involves supernatural forces

5
More Qualities of an Epic
  • The epics action include
  • Deeds of great value
  • Superhuman courage and feats
  • Values beliefs of a culture
  • Heros actions determine a nations fate
  • The Writing
  • Uses repetition
  • Has several moments of suspense and climax

6
Early Epic Poems
  • Oral narrative poems
  • Told in pre-literate societies
  • Used to pass on morals/values of a culture

7
Odyssey Literary Devices
  • Opening with an invocation to the muse
  • Muses goddesses who inspire the creation of
    literature and the arts
  • Beginning the story in medias res (in the middle
    of things)
  • Providing long lists of people, genealogies, and
    places significant to mythological history

8
Literary Devices contd.
  • Epithets
  • Repeated nicknames for various characters, major
    and minor
  • Ex Referring to Zeus as the father of gods and
    men
  • A quest
  • A hero faces obstacles on his way to get
    somewhere

9
Literary Devices Homeric Similea.k.a. Epic or
Extended simile
  • Definition A detailed comparison in the form of
    a simile that is many lines in length.
  • Purpose To deepen the readers understanding of
    the individual or action taking place through a
    word-picture association that the reader is able
    to relate to.
  • The typical Homeric simile makes a comparison to
    some kind of event, in the form "like a ____ when
    it ______

10
Homeric Simile contd.
  • The Three Step Homeric Simile
  • 1) Saying what it is that whatever youre
    talking about is like (Ex Odysseus is like a
    lion)
  • 2) Describing the thing youre comparing it to
    (Ex the lion)
  • 3) Reminding the audience of what you were
    originally talking about (Ex Odysseus)
  • The third step is important because sometimes the
    description the second step can get extremely
    long, and theres the risk that the audience will
    forget what youre talking about. 

11
Lets try it Create an Original Homeric Simile
  • Steps
  • 1) Say what your subject is like (Ex Odysseus is
    like a lion)
  • 2) Describe the thing youre comparing it to (Ex
    Description of a lion)
  • 3) Remind the audience of what you were
    originally talking about (Ex Odysseus)

12
Themes in The Odyssey
  • Fate vs. Free Will
  • Piety
  • Justice
  • Pride
  • Lies and Deceit
  • Tradition and custom
  • Suffering
  • Loyalty
  • Perseverance
  • Family

13
Fate vs. Free Will
  • Is fate/destiny fixed and constant in the text?
  • What is the role of gods and goddesses in the
    fate of the characters?

14
Piety (devoutness)
  • What are some of the characters gestures that
    show deference to the gods?
  • What could result from impiety or challenges to
    the gods?

15
Justice
  • Discuss examples of ways in which characters are
    punished for their transgressions.

16
Pride
  • Is pride Odysseuss flaw? Why or why not?
  • How could pride be dangerous in terms of the
    gods?

17
Lies and Deceit
  • How does disguise in the Odyssey play into this
    theme? What is its purpose?
  • Odysseus is praised for his cunning. Is the
    ability to deceive heroic?

18
Tradition and Custom
  • Rules of hospitality (term xenia) are among the
    most revered social and religious laws in
    the Odyssey (and Greek culture).
  • What are some of the expectations for a host?
  • What are the expectations of a guest?
  • What were the consequences for breaking
    hospitable obligations?

19
Suffering
  • In Greek mythology, being human entails
    suffering.
  • What forms does suffering does Odysseus
    experience over the course of his journey?

20
Loyalty
  • Which characters are most loyal?
  • What are different types of loyalty in the text?
  • What cultural double-standard exists in terms of
    Odysseuss versus Penelopes devotion?

21
Perseverance
  • Specify important examples of both physical and
    emotional perseverance within the text.

22
Family
  • How does the text showcase the cultural value of
    familial lineage?

23
Intertextuality Examples
  • Many famous works are inspired by Homers epic
  • Virgils epic poem the Aeneid
  • Alfred Lord Tennysons poem Ulysses
  • James Joyces novel, Ulysses
  • countless paintings (check out Henry Fuselis
    Odysseus in front of Scylla and Charybdis)
  • Creams song Tales of Brave Ulysses
  • The Cohen Brothers movie O Brother, Where Art
    Thou? 
  • Whether youre most interested in literature,
    visual art, music, or movies, youve got to read
    Homers Odyssey to see where everybodys getting
    their ideas.
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