Block One - Homer and the Greek 'Dark Age' Flashcards
When was the composition of the Homeric poems?
c. 720-700 BC
What was special about this period?
This is the period when we have some evidence of the emergence of writing in the Greek world.
Who composed the poems?
We do not know, but the term ‘Homer’ is used to describe the poet, but almost nothing is known about him. He is said to have been a blind bard.
What is declamatory?
Impassioned in expression.
How does the story begin?
“Tell me, Muse…”
Who is Muse?
Goddess of poetry.
What are examples of adjective + noun?
“God-like Odysseus” “Grey-eyed Athene” “Zeus who gathers the clouds”
What starts the story off?
Divine figures plan to bring home the much-travelled and much-suffering hero Odysseus. There is a dangerous situation in Ithaca.
Which gods love and hate Odysseus and why?
Odysseus is a favourite of Athena, admired by Zeus and hated by Poseidon because he killed his son the Cyclops.
What is anthropomorphism?
Human characteristics (physical and mental) attributed to something/someone other than human.
Greek conception of divinity?
Human type of behaviour and partiality for individuals right through Greek and Roman religion.
What would have the Trojan War been to Homer and his audience?
An event in the legendary past.
What does nostos mean? What is its plural form?
‘Return home’ - an idea with great emotional resonance for the Greeks, hence nostalgia. Plural form - Nostoi.
What is the Trojan Cycle?
Stories of Greek heroes from the Trojan War and their various fates (good and bad). Homer’s audience would have been familiar with them.
What are the first four books of the Odyssey called?
The Telemachy (activities of Telemachus).
What is a basilius?
A king/chief. Odysseus is a basilius of Ithaca.
What is the main subject of the Odyssey?
The hero’s return and re-establishment of order in his own house. As well as revenge towards suitors.
What does berate mean?
Scold or critisise someone angrily.
What does Zeus think of men at the beginning of the Odyssey?
He berates them for blaming the gods for their misfortunes because they came to grief because of their own choices. Suggests that the Odyssey will be a moral tale.
What is xenia?
Obligation of hospitality to a stranger.
What is pathos?
Technique to bring out emotions (sympathy) of audience/reader.
Who were the Achaeans?
Collective name for Greeks.
What was the omen during Telemachus’ assembly?
Eagles tearing at each other. Probably staged by Athena.
How is Telemachus described by Homer AND the suitors?
He is known as thoughtful Telemachus, but the suitors call him high-spoken and intemperate.
What are benefits of reading/listening to the speeches?
They allow both sides to make a case and allow us to appreciate the conflict in more detail.
They convey chronological depth - the situation has been going on for a long time.
They convey character - suitors’ words tell us the kind of men they are.
What is an epithet?
A term used to characterise a person or thing. ‘Rosy-fingered Dawn’ ‘Richard the Lion-hearted’ ‘Thoughtful Telemachus’ ‘Haughty suitors’
Who is the leader of the suitors?
Antinoos.
Who is Penelope?
Telemachus’ mother, Odysseus’ wife.
Who is Nestor?
He fought in the Trojan War. Is old and wise and brings with him a world of the past. He is in both poems.
What does thematic mean?
Relating to themes.
What is an apostrophe?
When the poet directly addesses a character within a story, sometimes out of frustration.
What is embedded focalisation?
When a poet gets inside a character’s mind and knows what they’re thinking or their memories.
What is direct speech?
When characters inside a story converse with each other.
Who is the external narrator?
The poet.
