We are about to

embark on an
Odyssey. You
ready?
 What is a Myth?
▪ Myths explained phenomenon in the natural world that couldn’t
be explained or understood.

▪ Myths use fantasy to express ideas about life that cannot be

expressed easily in realistic terms.

▪ When Myths were written, people did not have microscopes,

telescopes, and a knowledge of electricity, gravity, and
science that we do today.

▪ Gods and goddesses were given credit for unexplained

phenomenon in nature and in the sky.

▪ Myths reflected the values and customs of a society.

▪ Myths occurred in all societies throughout the world.

▪ Think of a creative or funny explanation for lightning, thunder,

snow, or earthquakes
 What is an Epic Poem?
A long, narrative poem which traces the adventure of a hero.
•The setting is huge, covering great nations, the world, or the universe.
•Supernatural forces (gods, angels, demons) interest themselves in the action.
•Classical Conventions: (necessary elements for an epic)
Invocation of the Muses Theme in opening
Vast setting Action
Supernatural forces Epic similes
Epic epithets In Media Res (starts in the middle)
Epic hero Objectively reported

What is an Epic Hero?

A legendary figure who usually embodies the goals and virtues of an entire
nation or culture.
Hero is physically strong, of national or international importance, and of
great historical or legendary significance.
An epic hero is human, therefore he or she has faults. However, the epic
hero is superior to other human beings; thus, “larger than life”.
The action consists of deeds of great valor or requiring superhuman courage.
TRAGIC FLAW - the character defect that leads to the downfall of the protagonist in an epic or tragedy
 The 13 Qualities Valued by the
Greeks
1. Courage
2. Physical strength
3. Intelligence
4. Patience
5. Strong will
6. Cleverness
7. Athletic ability
8. Honesty
9. Stamina
10. Ability to resist temptation
11. Ability to make difficult decisions
12. Loyalty
13. Resilience
 Unpardonable Greek Sin
There was one character flaw that the Greeks particularly
hated: Hubris
What is hubris?
Excessive Pride and Arrogance

Two important Greek precepts: “Know Thyself” and “Nothing in Excess”

Sometimes Greek heroes became cocky. They failed to realize their own
human limitations. In this case, they were guilty of hubris – too much pride and
arrogance.
 The Invocation of the Muses
Muses: The nine daughters of Zeus and Mnemosyne. In Greek mythology,
poetry, and literature, they are the goddesses or spirits who inspire the
creation of literature and the arts.

When the bards, poets, or minstrels would sing, they would first invite the
muses to come and help them tell their story.

The Greeks believed that the muses provided creative inspiration and could
“speak through” the poet.
 The Illiad and The Odyssey
The Illiad and The Odyssey are epic poems from Ancient Greece. They
are famous myths which are rooted in a true historical event, the Trojan
War, which took place around 1200 B.C.

▪ Written by Homer
▪ Homer was blind.
▪ He was known as a bard, minstrel, or
rhapsode. These were considered
both historians and entertainers.
▪ The stories were originally told orally;
they were written later.
▪ They were recorded around the 8th or
9th century B.C.
▪ The actual events took place around
1200 B.C.
 Oral
Tradition
• Definition: stories that were
told and retold verbally from one
generation to another
• Many ancient Greeks were not
literate unless their profession
required them to be
– Women didn’t have jobs, so most
were illiterate
– Men who partook in business
professions (trading, selling
goods) were literate
 The Illiad
▪ The 10-year-war between the Greeks and the Trojans.
▪ Literary Reason: Paris, prince of Troy, “kidnapped”
Helen from Greece (Sparta). She was already married
to King Menalaus. He rallied all the Greek warriors to
go and get her back.
▪ Probable reason: Disagreement over trade on the
Aegean Sea.
▪ Troy was a strategic port that the Greeks wanted. It was a convenient place
to stop for them on their way to trade with people on the Black Sea. Before
the war, the Trojans would charge the Greeks money to stop there…like a
tax. Also, Troy and the surrounding area had nice, fertile soil, as opposed to
the rough terrain of southern Greece and the islands.
▪ Several heroes emerged from the Trojan War: Achilles, Hector, and
Odysseus.
▪ Hector and Achilles both lost their lives.
▪ According to the myth, Odysseus faked illness to try to get out of going!
The setting for the Iliad is

the city of Troy.

 The Trojan Horse
The war between the Greeks and
Trojans lasted 10 years.

Odysseus conceived the idea of the

wooden horse.

He had a wood maker create a giant

hollow horse. He and his men hid
inside.

The Greeks acted like they had

packed up and gone home.

They left one sole soldier who

claimed he was no longer a Greek.
He told the Trojans that the Trojan
Horse was an offering to Athena
and if they brought it into the city, it
would bring them her favor.
While Odysseus and his men hid inside the Trojan Horse, it
was brought into the city by the joyous Trojans who were
celebrating the end to the war. That night, in the darkness,
the soldiers snuck out and sacked the city. The Greek ships
returned and joined in the fight. Troy was destroyed.
 What is an odyssey?
A journey through life (universal) = man trying to
achieve personal land of peace and joy; therefore,
we must test ourselves and overcome obstacles.
 The Odyssey
The Odyssey is told in media res.
That’s a fancy way to say that the story starts in the middle. (ex. Forrest Gump)
Here’s how it is told:

1. Odysseus washes up on the island of Phaeacia. They ask him to tell his
story because it’s not everyday that a muscley, handsome dude washes in with
the tide.

2. Odysseus first listens to a special singer tell the story of the Trojan Horse.
the Phaeacians don’t know he is Odysseus yet because he hasn’t told them his
identity.

3. Odysseus tells the Phaeacians he is Odysseus, King of Ithaca. He tells them

about his adventures during these 10 years after the Trojan War ended.

4. Odysseus is taken home by the Phaeacians and has to win back his
kingdom.
The Odyssey is about
the hero Odysseus’
long trip home to Ithaca.

His trip home

takes
10 years.
Odysseus’ trip home
 Steps in the Epic Hero’s Journey
1. Call to adventure and/or
quest for identity or duty
2. Leaves home for a long
period of time
3. Journey consists of difficult
tasks
4. Hero must depend on his wit
5. Journey leads to a
transformation or self-
realization
6. Hero regains his rightful
place in society
ARCHETYPE

(from the Greek “archetypon” which means “original pattern”)

Archetypal analysis of a work is one of the most common forms of
literary analysis.
The idea of “archetype” was begun with Swiss psychiatrist Carl Jung
(who believed that archetypes were the result of a collective
unconscious, that is, a product of the shared
experiences of our ancestors) and expanded upon by Joseph
Campbell and others.
Archetypes are the characters, images, and themes that symbolically
embody universal meanings and basic human experiences
regardless of when or where those humans live.
Remember, an archetype is a universal theme. The manifestation of
the idea may be different, but the idea
itself is the same.
 Epic Simile
• Definition: an extended
simile that is elaborated in
great detail and usually
runs over several lines
• Still uses “like” or “as”
• Often contains thoughts
that do not relate directly
to the plot
• Used for emphasis
 Epic Epithet
A descriptive phrase used in place of a noun
or proper noun (tag or nickname that can be
used on its own or with the real name)
Why? add a bit of color, fill out poetic meter,
mnemonic device
Example:
- Achilles as “swift-footed” or “lion-hearted”
- Odysseus as “great-hearted” or “hotheaded”
- “rosy-fingered” dawn or “loud-roaring” sea
 Motifs that will turn into themes
Write this list in your inside cover and annotate for them
throughout your reading:
● RESPECT FOR THE GODS/RITUALS
● DISGUISES
● INSTANCES OF TRUST AND/OR RISK-TAKING
● TESTS OR SIGNS
● TEMPTATION
● THE HERO (WHAT SEEMS TO DEFINE A HERO?)
● TREATMENT OF STRANGERS