Greek MythologyGreek Mythology

Homer + Epic Poems + Homer + Epic Poems + The OdysseyThe Odyssey = =

Good Times! Good Times!

What is a Myth?What is a Myth?

A reason for something in nature or A reason for something in nature or life that is not necessarily scientific.life that is not necessarily scientific.

Examples:Examples: ““Aphrodite and Eros” (love)Aphrodite and Eros” (love) ““Helios”Helios” (sun)(sun) ““Persephone” (seasons)Persephone” (seasons)

What is Folklore? What is Folklore?

Stories or myths told orally. Stories or myths told orally.

What is the purpose of What is the purpose of these stories? these stories?

1. To explain how things came to be1. To explain how things came to be

2. To teach lessons or values2. To teach lessons or values

3. To explain social or religious rituals3. To explain social or religious rituals

Plus…they are awesome. Plus…they are awesome.

Myths were stories created to answer Myths were stories created to answer basic questions about the world, the basic questions about the world, the gods, and human life.gods, and human life.

For example: For example:

Persephone goes to the underworld to Persephone goes to the underworld to make the seasons change. make the seasons change.

Bottom LineBottom Line

1.1. Myths are made up stories that helped Myths are made up stories that helped people make sense of things.people make sense of things.

2.2. They were told through Folklore – They were told through Folklore – (orally) – so there are many different (orally) – so there are many different versions of the same story.versions of the same story.

(Think, “Whisper Down the Lane”)(Think, “Whisper Down the Lane”)

HomerHomer

Blind, wandering poet Blind, wandering poet No one knows much No one knows much

about him.about him. People believe that he People believe that he

collected stories he collected stories he heard about the Trojan heard about the Trojan WarWar

He wove them into 2 He wove them into 2 epic poems: epic poems: The Illiad The Illiad and and The OdysseyThe Odyssey

Epic PoemsEpic Poems

Long narrative poemLong narrative poem

Tells about the Tells about the adventure of aadventure of a HEROHERO whose actions whose actions help decide the fate of a nation or of a group of people. help decide the fate of a nation or of a group of people.

The Odyssey The Odyssey is the most famous epic poem in is the most famous epic poem in Western literature.Western literature.

Characteristics of an Epic Characteristics of an Epic Poem: An OverviewPoem: An Overview

Supernatural Forces

Writing Style

Action

The Hero

Epic Poem

Characteristics of an Epic poem:Characteristics of an Epic poem:#1 - THE HERO#1 - THE HERO

Well-known character of Well-known character of high social high social positionposition whose qualities represent whose qualities represent those those valuable to his/her societyvaluable to his/her society..

Usually pitted against Usually pitted against monstersmonsters, so , so they they need to be strong & need to be strong & courageouscourageous..

Often Often SEEMSEEM superhumansuperhuman

Must struggle to overcome human Must struggle to overcome human weaknesses of weaknesses of PRIDEPRIDE and and STRUGGLESTRUGGLE..

#2 - Supernatural Forces#2 - Supernatural Forces

The HERO The HERO faces faces supernatural monsterssupernatural monsters is under the influence of is under the influence of gods/goddessesgods/goddesses

#3 - ACTION #3 - ACTION The HEROThe HERO completes many completes many great deeds great deeds in a in a

variety of variety of locations (real or imaginary).locations (real or imaginary).

#4 - Writing Style#4 - Writing Style

Formal and Formal and grand grand writing style.writing style.

Lofty language, yet Lofty language, yet clear and easy to clear and easy to follow. follow.

Meant to be Meant to be HEARDHEARD rather than readrather than read. .

Two Epic poems:Two Epic poems:The Illiad The Illiad and and The OdysseyThe Odyssey

The IlliadThe Illiad What happened What happened AT THEAT THE END OFEND OF the Trojan War. the Trojan War.

The OdysseyThe Odyssey What happened What happened AFTERAFTER the Trojan the Trojan War…War… on the way on the way home.home.

The Odyssey The Odyssey 3 CLUES to understand the 3 CLUES to understand the

writingwriting

Clues to better understand the poem

#1 Epithet #2 Homeric Similes#3 Repetition of epithets, similes,

And phrases

Clue #1 Clue #1 Epithet Epithet

EpithetsEpithets: Stock words/phrases regularly : Stock words/phrases regularly applied to some person or thing.applied to some person or thing.

EXAMPLES:EXAMPLES:SunriseSunrise “Rosy-fingered dawn” “Rosy-fingered dawn”

AthenaAthena “Bright-eyed Athena” “Bright-eyed Athena”

OdysseusOdysseus “Odysseus, raider of cities” “Odysseus, raider of cities”

Used For:Used For:

1.) Adds rhythm to the poem1.) Adds rhythm to the poem

2.) Helps you to remember the plot.2.) Helps you to remember the plot.

3.) Gives you visual images3.) Gives you visual images

Clue #2 Clue #2 Homeric Homeric SimilesSimiles

Poetic comparison of an individual, thing, Poetic comparison of an individual, thing, or event to something else of great or event to something else of great familiarity to the audience.familiarity to the audience.

Makes the story more understandable.Makes the story more understandable.

Clue #3 Clue #3 Repetition Repetition Epithets, similes, and phrases are repeated Epithets, similes, and phrases are repeated

throughout the epic poem.throughout the epic poem.

Why are they repeated?!Why are they repeated?!

1)1) Poem is easier to memorize.Poem is easier to memorize.2)2) Helped refresh listeners’ memories – (the poem Helped refresh listeners’ memories – (the poem

is too long to recite in one session).is too long to recite in one session).3)3) Helped listeners recognize certain Helped listeners recognize certain

developments in action. developments in action.

Odyssey Odyssey trailertrailer

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G2ApjC25ZFchttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G2ApjC25ZFc