Odyssey

Some Background

•Composed circa 600-800 BC by Homer•Odyssey is an epic poemepic poem•A written version of the classic oral traditionclassic oral tradition

What is an Epic Poem?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

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

More Qualities of an Epic Poem:The epic’s action include:•Deeds of great value•Superhuman courage and feats• Hero’s actions determining a nation’s

fateThe Writing: •Uses repetition (memory device)•Has several moments of suspense and

climax

Early Epic Poems

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

Odyssey: Literary Devices•Opening with an invocation to invocation to the muse the muse • Muses: goddesses who inspire the creation of

literature and the arts • Essentially, asking goddesses for inspiration

•Story begins in medias res (“in the middle of things”)•Long lists of people, genealogies, and places significant to mythological history

Literary Devices contd.•Epithets:•Repeated nicknames for various characters, major and minor •Ex: Referring to Zeus as “the father of gods and men”

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 reader’s

understanding of the individual or action taking place through a word-picture association to which the reader relates. • The typical Homeric simile makes a

comparison in the form "like a ____ when it ______”

Homeric Simile contd.The Three Step Homeric Simile: • 1) Saying what it is that whatever you’re

talking about is like (Ex: Odysseus is like a lion)• 2) Describing the thing you’re 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 there’s the risk that the audience will forget what you’re talking about.

Let’s try it: Create an Original

Homeric SimileSteps:•1) Say what your subject is like (Ex: Odysseus is like a lion)•2) Describe the thing you’re comparing it to (Ex: Description of a lion) •3) Remind the audience of what you were originally talking about (Ex: Odysseus)

Themes in The Odyssey•Fate vs. Free Will•Piety • Justice•Pride•Lies and Deceit

•Tradition and custom•Suffering•Loyalty•Perseverance•Family

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?

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?

Justice

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

Pride

•Is pride Odysseus’s flaw? Why or why not? •How could pride be dangerous in terms of the gods?

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?

Tradition and CustomRules 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?

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

Loyalty•Which characters are most loyal?•What are different types of loyalty in the text? •What cultural double-standard exists in terms of Odysseus’s versus Penelope’s devotion?

PerseveranceSpecify important examples of both physical and emotional perseverance within the text.

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

Intertextuality Examples: Many famous works are inspired this epic:

•Virgil’s epic poem the Aeneid; •Alfred Lord Tennyson’s poem “Ulysses”• James Joyce’s novel, Ulysses•Cream’s song “Tales of Brave Ulysses”•The Cohen Brothers’ movie O Brother, Where Art Thou?

Odyssey has also inspired countless paintings, such as Henry Fuseli’s “Odysseus in front of Scylla and Charybdis”