The Odyssey and Literary Archetypes

November 9, 2015

About The Odyssey

Recited by Homer◦A blind Greek poet who went town to town chanting his

poetry to the accompanying lyreComposed around 1200 B.COver 20 different translationsSequel to The Iliad (focused on the Trojan War

and Achilles)Focuses on Odysseus’ journey back home from

The Trojan WarUlysses a novel by James Joyce was influenced

by itO Brother Where Art Thou? Is loosely based on it

Classical Features of The Odyssey

Simplicity of languageSwift movement of narrativeCreation of characters with uncomplicated

motivesActions that are true to human naturePlots that blend the joys of living with the

tragic sense of lifeLong, musical lines (in the original Greek

or in a poetry translation)

Important Terms

Epic◦A narrative poem that tells in elevated style the

achievements and brave deeds of heroic characters. Miraculous events and supernatural beings often play a part.

Folk epic◦A narrative loosely based on heroic legends

Simile◦Literary comparison using like or as

Important Terms Continued

Epithet◦An adjective or descriptive term that points out

some trait of the person or thing being considered “Gray-eyed Athena; Odysseus, canniest of men.”

Repetition◦Repeating words or phrases for emphasis or for

retention in memory

Epic Devices

Stating the themeInvoking the museBeginning in Medias res

◦Medias res- in the middle of thingsSupplying the exposition graduallyGreek gods and goddesses as plot devicesFatal Flaw

◦Hubris- excessive pride

Literary ArchetypesHeroic Archetypes and Archetypal Journeys

About Archetypes

Carl Jung first applied the term archetype to literature◦Recognized they were universal regardless of

culture or historical period◦Hypothesized that it had something to do with

collective unconsciousness shared by all humansJoseph Campbell took this idea and applied

it to the world of mythologyGeorge Lucas used Campbell’s writings and

Jung’s theory to write the Star Wars Saga

Archetypes can

Apply to Be expressed in

An imageA themeA symbolAn ideaA character typeA plot pattern

MythsDreamsLiteratureReligionsFantasiesFolklore

Heroic Archetypes

Hero as warrior (Odysseus)◦A near god-like hero faces physical challenges and

external enemiesHero as lover (Prince Charming)

◦A pure love motivates hero to complete his questHero as Scapegoat (Jesus)

◦Hero suffers for the sake of othersTranscendent Hero (Oedipus, Hamlet,

Macbeth)◦The hero of a tragedy whose fatal flaw brings about

his downfall

Romantic/Gothic Hero (Batman/ Billy from The Departed)◦Hero/lover with a decidedly dark side

Proto-Feminist Hero (Mulan, GI Jane)◦Female heroes

Apocalyptic Hero (Elijah, The Book of Eli)◦Hero who faces the possible destruction of

societyAnti-Hero (Homer Simpson)

◦A non-hero, given the vocation of failure, frequently humorous

Defiant Anti-hero (Walter White)◦Hero who opposes of society’s definition of

heroism/goodness

Unbalanced Hero (Sam, I am Sam)◦Protagonist who has (or must pretend to have)

mental or emotional deficiencies The Other/ denied hero (Avatar)

◦The protagonist whose status or essential otherness makes heroism possible

The Super heroic (Superman/ Hercules)◦Exaggerates the normal proportions of

humanity, frequently has divine or supernatural origins.

Archetypal Journeys

The quest for identityThe epic journey to find the promised landQuest for vengeanceThe warrior’s journey to save his peopleThe search for loveThe journey in search of knowledgeThe tragic quest; penance or self-denialThe fool’s errandThe quest to rid the land of dangerThe grail quest (human perfection)

Classification Précis

Write a précis that explains how a popular character, movie, song, book, etc. meets the criteria for one of the archetypes

For an example (my example don’t use it)◦Naruto from Naruto and Naruto Shippuden as

the Denied hero He is a social outcast in his village due to being

the host of the nine-tailed demon fox He cannot past the exam to become a ninja He has no real talent He uses the power from the nine-tailed fox demon

to protect his friends and village