The Odyssey By Homer Scholars credit the blind poet Homer with authorship of both The Iliad and The Odyssey, both believed to have been written between 800-700 BCE. Both stories were first told as oral histories and may not have been written down until several generations later. The Odyssey is the sequel to the poem, The Iliad. It details the journey of the hero Odysseus as he attempts to return home from the Fall of Troy The Trojan War The Iliad tells the story of the last year of the Trojan War. The war was began when Paris of Troy took Helen from her husband, Menelaus of Sparta. In Greek Mythology, Athena caused Helen to fall in love with Paris after he gave Helen a golden apple that was to be gifted to the fairest. The Greek troops held the city of Troy under siege for ten years, until the city finally fell to the Greeks with the aid of the Trojan Horse. When Troy fell, the Greeks desecrated many of the temples, which angered the gods, causing them to bring down their wrath upon the Greek heroes.
The Story of Odysseus Odysseus longs to return home to Ithaca after ten years of fighting in the Trojan War He begins his trip home with 12 ships carrying 720 men The gods and goddesses toy with Odysseus, creating obstacles that delay his journey home by another ten years Odysseus is set apart by his intelligence. He is said to be a peer to Zeus in Counsel Back in Ithaca In Ithaca, everyone assumed that Odysseus was dead, except for his wife, Penelope, and his son, Telemachus. Penelope was being seen by suitors who wished to marry her, but, still believing that her husband was alive, she spurned their advances. She kept the suitors waiting by claiming that she had to weave a burial shroud for Odysseus father Laertes before she was married. During the day, she would weave, and at night she would unweave the shroud until the suitors found her out. Athena tried to convince Zeus to allow Odysseus to return home; however, Odysseus and his men were captured by the Cyclops, Polyphemus, who was the Son of Poseidon. In their escape, they blinded the Cyclops with a flaming stake. When Poseidon learned of what Odysseus and his crew had done, he cursed Odysseus to wander the sea for ten years before he could return to Ithaca. A Story Within a Story The Odyssey has two plots. The main plot is the story of Odysseus traveling from Calypso s island back to Ithaca. While Odysseus is returning, he stops at many place along the way and tells the story of where he has been. So Odysseus tells the story of his past, as the story of his travels to Ithaca is being told.
The Role of Gods and Goddesses In the Odyssey The ancient Greeks believed in a pantheon of different gods and goddesses. These gods and goddesses were believed to control every aspect of their lives. There were gods that represented many different components of life, and it was important to the ancient Greeks to keep the gods happy. Gods that were pleased with your behavior would help you, those that were displeased would punish you. The most important of the gods and goddesses lived at the top of Mount Olympus, the highest mountain in Northern Greece
During Odysseus s journey home, some gods and goddesses helped him to return to Ithaca. Zeus Zeus is the supreme ruler of Mount Olympus and the gods and goddesses that reside there. He is the God of the sky and thunder. In addition, he is also the father of Athena, Ares, Apollo, Helen of Troy, Hermes, and the Muses. Others attempted to prevent Odysseus from returning home. Athena Athena is the Goddess of wisdom, war, the arts, industry, justice, and skill. She is the daughter of Zeus and the patron of Athens, her namesake. She frequently aids Odysseus, who was known for his quick and clever mind. Hermes Hermes is the messenger of the gods, and was able to pass quickly between the world of mortals and the world of the divine. In addition, he is the God of invention, commerce, and cunning, as well as being Zeus s son. He aids Odysseus several times in his return journey to Ithaca.
Some goddesses both help and hinder his Odysseus during his journey Poseidon Poseidon is the God of the sea, earthquakes, and horses. He is the younger brother of Zeus. Circe was a minor goddess and enchantress who is able to use her magic and potions to turn those who offend her into animals. She toys with Odysseus and his crew. Helios As the God of the Sun, Helios rides a chariot drawn by horses through the sky, bringing light to the Earth. He is the God of light and the sun, truth and prophecy, healing, plague, music, and poetry Odysseus angers Helios when his men ignore Helios s warning He is also the father of the Cyclops that Odysseus and his crew blind. This causes Poseidon to become angered with Odysseus. Calypso is a minor sea goddess that delays Odysseus s return to Ithaca because of her desire for companionship. Important Literary Terms Epic Epic Simile Epic Hero Epithet
Epic An epic is a long narrative poem that tells about the adventures of a hero who reflects the ideals and values of a nation or race. An epic portrays the past, but it is and imaginary past Examples of other epics are Beowulf, The Epic of Gilgamesh, and The Mahabharata. Epic Simile A simile is a comparison of two things using the word like or as. An epic simile is a longer, more detailed simile that can go on for several lines. For Example: And Odysseus let the bright molten tears run down his cheeks, weeping [like] the way a wife mourns for her lord on the lost field where he has gone down fighting the day of wrath that came upon his children The Epic Hero An epic hero is a larger than life figure who embodies the ideals of a nation or race. Epic Heroes take part in long dangerous adventures and accomplish great deeds that require courage and superhuman strength Epithet An epithet is a brief descriptive phrase that helps to characterize a person or thing. For example: Son of Laertes and the Gods of old, Odysseus, master mariner and soldier Epithets were used to give storytelling a musical effect.