Ms. Kucinski’s English I

The attack on Troy

“ Homer’s first epic was the Iliad, which tells us the story of a ten-year war fought on the plains outside the walls of a great city called Troy… The Iliad tells us that the cause of the war was sexual jealousy: The world’s

most beautiful woman, Helen, abandoned her husband, Menelaus, a Greek king, and ran off with

Paris, a Prince of Troy.” (p.640)

“The Odyssey, Homer’s second epic, is the story of the attempt of one Greek soldier, Odysseus, to get home after

the Trojan War.” (p.640)

THE TROJAN WAR LAST FOR 10 YEARS AND IT TAKES ODYSSEUS ANOTHER 10 YEARS TO GET

HOME– HE IS AWAY FROM HOME FOR A TOTAL OF 20 YEARS!!!!

“Epics are long narrative poems that tell the adventures of heroes who in some way embody the

values of their civilizations.” (p.640)

“It is found in fairytales, novels such as The Incredible Journey, Moby-Dick, and movies such as The Wizard

of Oz and Star Wars.” (p.641)

“According to the Iliad, the Greeks attacked Troy to avenge the insult suffered by Menelaus, king of

Sparta, when his wife, Helen, ran off with Paris, a young prince of Troy.” (p. 641)

“Odysseus’s plan was to build an enormous wooden horse and hide a few Greek soldiers inside its hollow belly. After

the horse was built, the Greeks pushed it through the gates of Troy and withdrew their armies, so that their camp appeared abandoned. Thinking that the Greeks had given up the fight and that the horse was a peace offering, the Trojans brought the horse into their city. That night the

Greeks hidden inside the hollow belly came out, opened the gates of Troy to the whole Greek army, and began the

battle that was to win the war.” (p.643)

“It is ten years since Odysseus sailed from Troy, twenty years since he left Ithaca to fight in Troy.” (p.644)

20 years

“Odysseus and his family are people searching for the right relationships with one another and with the

people around them. They want to find their proper places in life.” (p.644)

“Myths are traditional stories, rooted in a particular culture, that usually explain a belief, a ritual, or a

mysterious natural phenomenon.” (p. 644)

“…an alter ego, a reflection of a hero’s best or worst qualities.” (p.644)

“These rhapsodes, or “singers of tales,” were historians and entertainers as well as the mythmakers

of their time.” (p. 645)

“… scholars suggest that stories like the Iliad and the Odyssey were originally told aloud by people who

could not read or write.” (p.645)

“… an extended comparison.”

Simile- the comparison of two or more things using “like” or “as”

“These similes compare heroic or epic events to simple and easily understandable everyday events the

audience would recognize instantly.” (p. 646)

a brave and noble character in an epic poem, admired for great

achievements or affected by grand events

Internal conflict- Mental struggle; struggling with one’s own mind.

External conflict- Struggle between a person and an outside force.

Introduction to the Odyssey Activity

Quick Write:

Vocabulary

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9fwoTWlrfYg

Tell the StoryComplete the While You Read worksheet

1. The Odyssey opens with a convention of epic poetry – the poet’s prayer to the Muse. What does the poet Homer ask of the Muse:

2. What does Homer tell us about the hero Odysseus

Calypso, the Sweet Nymph Vocabulary:1. Nymph: a beautiful young maiden; a lesser goddess in the form of a maiden2. Ambrosial: fit for the gods (food that kept the gods immortal)3. Immortal: not mortal; not subject to death.4. Racked: to stain with mental effort5. Mandate: a command, law, or decree by an authority figure6. Provisions: supplies7. Pondered: to consider something deeply and thoroughly8. Forlorn: miserable, wretched, depressed, desolate or lonely9. Victuals: food supplies, provisions

Calypso, the Sweet Nymph Complete the While You Read worksheet

1. Identify the following: The characters and what we know about them:Remember the WHO, did WHAT? When? Where? Why? How?

2. What is happening? How do we know? What words/lines from the text explain what is happening?

3. What TWO significant moments occur on the Island of Calypso that shows Odysseus’ qualities of an Epic Hero? In particular, how does Odysseus adventure with Calypso show that he is an epic hero? Use quotes (text evidence to support your answers). Include the line number.

4. How does Homer depict the characteristics of an epic hero through Odysseus? What figurative language typical of epic poetry does Homer use to describe Odysseus? Use text evidence with line numbers to support your answer. We will review these techniques in class.

Journal Writing inspired byCalypso by Suzanne Vega

For 5 minutes, write as quickly as you can about all that this poem brings to mind for you.

For 10 minutes, choose any line and write as quickly and as specifically as you can all that comes to mind, let the line lead your thinking. Be sure to re-write the line you chose BEFORE you begin your writing.

For 15 minutes, write about a time went you had to part with something or someone you cared a great deal about. o Be specific about the person or the thing/objecto Use descriptive words: adjectives and phrases.o Use verbs that show how you felt.