The Odyssey Flashcards
Odyssey Genre
An extended narrative (poem) that recounts the actions, travels, an adventure of an epic hero. Written in high style (dactylic hexameter)
Author
Homer- a poet who traveled and told stories
Epic Poem Characteristics (6)
- Epic hero (larger then life, not necessarily flawed, strong, wise,noble, moral, brave, BUT HUMAN
- Actions revolve strength of hero
- Setting covers the entire known world.
- Stories provide explanation of why things are the way they are.
- Gods plays active role.
- Many adventures that relate to the theme
Epic Conventions
1 starts with statement of theme
2 invocation of the muse
3 starts in media res (in middle of action)
4 epithets (short descriptive phrases that are put with characters name)
5. Journey to underworld
6. Catalogs (long lists)
7 epic simile (long simile with vivid images and details)
Odyssey theme
Nostos or homecoming
Pitfalls of temptation (Odysseus falls into temptation on his way home)
Power of cunning over strength
Motifs (reoccurring things)
Storytelling (Odysseus tells his story to many people)
Disguises (Odysseus is disguised a lot , like when he returns)
Hospitality/ Food- hospitality is supper important during this time!
Odysseus
The hero of the story, he travels back from the Trojan war and journeys home. He stops several times along the way. It takes him 10 years to return
Penelope
Odysseus faithful wife, she wait for his return home
Telemachus
Odysseus son, born shortly before Odysseus left for Troy approx, 20 years ago. He goes on a journey to find his father
Eurcyleia
Odysseus’ old nurse
Argos
Odysseus’ old dog
Laertes
Odysseus’ old father who lives in the country
Eumaeus
Odysseus’ loyal swine heard, he helps Odysseus return to his normal life
Philoeteus
A loyal cow heard of Odysseus
Antinous
One of the leading suitors, an arrogant young man from Ithaca
Helen
“Helen of Troy” the beautiful wife of king Menelaus. She elope with Trojan Prince Paris and caused the Trojan war
Menelaus
Helen’s husband
Nester
The wise old king of Pylos, he a Trojan was hero. Welcomes Telemachus
Alcinous
King of Phaecia, Odysseus tells the king his story of travel
Nausicca
The beautiful young daughter of king Alcinous and queen Arête
Cyclops (Polyphemus)
A one-eyed giant who lives as a Shepard. He kills two of Odysseus men. Odysseus escapes by blinding the giant and hiding with the sheep. Son of Poseidon
Circe
The witch goddess who turns Odysseus’s men into pigs lives in Aeaea
Teiresias
A blind profit from Thebes, Odysseus meets him in the Land of the Dead
Sirens
Sea nymphs who beautiful and mysterious music lures sailors to sail towards the rocks
