The Iliad/Odyssey

1. The Iliad/Odyssey

2. Homer’s Iliad

Homer is said to be
the first teller of
adventures of all
times. He was not the
first author because in
his day stories were
passed down---they
were told. He was a
blind man whose date
of birth is unknown.

3. Eris, Goddess of Discord

Angry because she was not invited to the
wedding of the Sea Goddess Thetis to King
Peleus, Eris tossed the Golden Apple marked
“To the Fairest” into the banquet.

4. The Fairest

Aphrodite, Hera, and Athena wanted the
apple
Zeus would not choose, he did not want the
goddesses angry with him
Paris was asked to make
the decision

5. The Decision

Hera offered to make
Paris ruler of Europe
and Asia
Athena offered to let
him lead Sparta in a
victory over the
Trojans
Aphrodite offered him
the most beautiful
woman in the world

6. Paris Chooses Aphrodite

The most beautiful woman
in the world is Helen, the
wife of King Menelaus
Aphrodite helps Paris
seduce and kidnap Helen

7. The Beginning of War

King Menelaus called on all those who were loyal to him.
They gathered a huge army, and built a thousand ships to carry
the army to Troy
Helen of Sparta was now called “Helen of Troy”
She was “The face that launched a thousand ships”

8. The Trojan War

The battle raged for 10
years
Many great heroes lost
their lives
A prophet predicted
that Troy could be
captured only with the
help of Achilles.

9. The Hero Achilles

Knowing of the prophecy, and worried
that her son would be killed in war,
Achilles’ mother dipped him in the
river Styx to make him immortal.
His only weakness was the place on his
heals where she held him.
During the war, Achilles is forced to
give up his war prize, a slave girl, to
Agamemnon, and so he refuses to fight.
Patroclus, his friend, asks Achilles if he
may ride out in his armor so the
Trojans would lose heart.

10. Achilles

Achilles agreed to allow his friend Patroclus to wear his armor.
The next day Patroclus was killed and stripped of the armor by
the Trojan hero Hector, who mistook him for Achilles.
Achilles was overwhelmed with grief for his friend and rage at
Hector.
Achilles kills Hector. He desecrated the body, dragging it
behind his chariot before the walls of Troy.
Finally Paris, aided by Apollo,
wounded Achilles in the heel
with an arrow; Achilles died of the wound.

11. 10 Years of War

The Gods are tired of watching men kill each
other, and decide to help end the war. Athena
whispers an idea in the Spartan hero Odysseus’s
ear.

12. The Trojan Horse

Odysseus tells them they
will build a huge horse of
wood.
Some would climb inside
and hide.
The rest would sail around
the tip of the island, where
they could not be seen.
One would stay behind
and tell the Trojans that he
had been abandoned by
the Greeks, and that the
horse was an offering to
Athena.

13. The Fall of Troy

The Trojans believed
the trick.
They had a huge
banquet to celebrate
the end of the war.
At night the men from
inside the horse came
out and unlocked the
gates to the city.

14. The Burning of Troy

The city is invaded by the
army.
The Trojans are drunk and
spent from their night of
revelry, unable to fight
back.
The Spartans destroy and
burn the city.
Aphrodite saves Helen
from the destruction.

15. The War Ends

King Menelaus
accepts Helen back.
The Warriors can now
return home.
Odysseus leaves for
home, and his wife
and son.

16. THE ODYSSEY

17. What is an Epic?

Epics are long,
narrative poems
that tell the
adventures of
heroes who in some
way embody the
values of their
civilization.

18. What types of epics are the Iliad and the Odyssey?

Iliad – War Epic
Odyssey – Journey

19. The Epic Hero

The Protagonist of the
Poem
He/She embodies the
values of his /her
culture or nation
Must be of noble
class, military
prowess, and virtue

20. How were heroes characterized in Homer’s day?

Special Aristocrats
or Demigods
Placed somewhere
between Gods and
ordinary humans.

21. How is Odysseus different from other heroes?

Hero in Trouble
Cursed by Poseidon
Clever (not just brute
strength)
Did not want to go to
war

22. Why did Odysseus object to the Trojan War?

He believes no war
should be fought over
an unfaithful woman
(Helen)
He wants to stay at
home with his wife
and newborn son

23. Odysseus attempts to “Draft Dodge”

Tried to appear insane by planting salt instead of
seeds.
Draft recruiters throw his son in front of his plow
Odysseus reveals his sanity by avoiding running
over Telemachus

24. The Epic Begins

Odysseus been gone 20
years
Telemachus is 20 years old
Suitors have invaded his
house, robbing him of his
inheritance, and attempt to
marry his mother Penelope
(Odysseus’s Wife)

25.

Penelope and her suitors

26. Epic Conventions

A serious and somber tone
Though there may be lighter moments, the
overall tone is usually serious
Grandiose style
The poem is typically written in a complex or
lofty style in order to distinguish it from lower
works of art

27. Epic Simile/Metaphor

Throughout the work, there will be
extended comparisons between one element
of a character and something exterior.

28. Catalogs/Genealogies

Lists exist to expound upon:
Character Traits
Background Information
Relationships among characters
Importance of Objects

29. The Supernatural

The active participation of the gods
Divine Intervention
When a supernatural being steps in to save the
hero
Psychics and Seers
Witchery
Birds as Omens

30. In Medias Res

To Begin in the Middle
Many epics begin in the middle of the
action.
We first meet Athena imploring Zeus to help
Odysseus
The earlier action will be told later

31. Epithet

An expanded description of a character in
order to characterize him/her
“cool-headed Telemachus”
“Icarius’ daughter Penelope”

32. Invocation

The opening of the myth includes an open
prayer to a god or goddess (or some higher
power)
This invocation often asks for inspiration in
telling the tale from the muse Calliope
It also serves as an introduction for the
action.