The Odyssey

Do Now

Create a K-W-L chart on what you know about Greek mythology.

Your Mythology IQ From the myths and fairy tales you have

read, the stories you’ve heard, and the cartoons you’ve watched, you have probably picked up a lot of information about Greek gods and goddesses. Several gods and goddesses make an appearance in “The Odyssey.” Some of these didn’t acquire the reputation you may know about until people after Homer told stories about them.

____ 1. Zeus a. god of war____ 2. Persephone b. supreme god____ 3. Apollo c. goddess of underworld____ 4. Poseidon d. god of music____ 5. Ares e. goddess of wisdom____ 6. Aphrodite f. god of sea____ 7. Artemis g. goddess of hunting____ 8. Heremes h. goddess of love/beauty____ 9. Athena i. messenger of the gods____ 10. Hephaestus j. god of blacksmiths

Your Mythology IQ

____ 1. Zeus a. god of war____ 2. Persephone b. supreme god____ 3. Apollo c. goddess of underworld____ 4. Poseidon d. god of music____ 5. Ares e. goddess of wisdom____ 6. Aphrodite f. god of sea____ 7. Artemis g. goddess of hunting____ 8. Hermes h. goddess of love/beauty____ 9. Athena i. messenger of the gods____ 10. Hephaestus j. god of blacksmiths

Your Mythology IQ

G

C

D

F

A

H

B

I

E

J

Epic Poetry

a long story in poem form an epic has a hero the epic is the story of the

hero's travels and his fights with monsters

Characteristics of an epic a hero a quest or a

journey epic similes invocation of the

muse combat visit to the

Underworld

intervention from the supernatural

in many epics, the hero is a demigod born to one human parent and one divine parent

Cycles of epic poems epics date back to prehistoric times, with the

earliest being sung by their poets The Illiad and The Odyssey by Homer is a cycle

that develops around a partly historical/partly mythical Trojan War rules for epics were based on The Illiad and

The Odyssey must begin in medias res, or "in the middle

of things," the poet must write in a dignified style that

begins with an "invocation" in which he asks a Muse for divine inspiration

The epic hero

hero is of imposing stature

hero and/or his style is grand, yet simple

hero has superhuman strength or courage

hero faces supernatural forces

is a natural leader of men

often stands alone in battle

setting is vast

Odyssey Vocab #1 Appeased: Relieve or satisfy Scepter: royal authority Strewn: Scatter or spread (things) untidily

over a surface or area. Shroud: one of the ropes leading usually

in pairs from a ship's mastheads to give lateral support to the masts

Ultimatum: a final proposition, condition, or demand

Odyssey Vocab #1

Invocation: a prayer Citadel: a fortress that commands a

city Harangued: a ranting speech or

writing Codger: An elderly man, esp. one

who is old-fashioned or eccentric

Finish Do Now

Fill in the “L” section on your K-W-L chart based on what you learned today