MODULE OVERVIEW
This module focuses on epic poetry as its own genre. Epics are stories created by poets to give an entire people a sense of their history and their destiny. As stories that give shape and coherence to the collective myth of a culture, epics engage the figure of the epic hero or heroine, who either breaks through the conventional wisdom of the people or re-establishes their most profound wishes. Students read Homer's Odyssey, with special attention to the hero's journey, and learn about the characteristics of an epic hero. They become familiar with the famous journey of the epic hero Odysseus and consider the role of the gods in the hero's adventures. Building on themes in the previous module, they may discuss the role of fate. Through pairings of these works with informational texts, students learn about the ancient city of Troy and the story of the Trojan War for historical context.
This module focuses on epic poetry as its own genre. Epics are stories created by poets to give an entire people a sense of their history and their destiny. As stories that give shape and coherence to the collective myth of a culture, epics engage the figure of the epic hero or heroine, who either breaks through the conventional wisdom of the people or re-establishes their most profound wishes. Students read Homer's Odyssey, with special attention to the hero's journey, and learn about the characteristics of an epic hero. They become familiar with the famous journey of the epic hero Odysseus and consider the role of the gods in the hero's adventures. Building on themes in the previous module, they may discuss the role of fate. Through pairings of these works with informational texts, students learn about the ancient city of Troy and the story of the Trojan War for historical context.
THE ODYSSEY
Homer’s Odyssey is one of several ancient epic poems that are inextricably woven into the fabric of ancient culture. Stories from this poem and the Iliad helped form Greek identity, patriotism, and nationalism, and inspired works of art and theater. That it was originally sung by bards to huge crowds not only aided in spreading the stories but gave audiences shared cultural experience. Though we have similar events today, like movies, concerts, and sporting events, it may be difficult for us to imagine what it was like to sit on cold marble benches for hours while listening to our favorite stories. The episodes of the Odyssey taught audiences about their own religion and customs, the importance of family loyalty, and Greek military accomplishments, as well as practices of people outside the Greek world (like the Cyclops). From Homer’s poems, ancient Greeks were reminded what it meant to be, in a word, Greek. LEARNING OBJECTIVES
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LITERARY TEXTS
Epic Poetry
INFORMATIONAL TEXTS
ONLINE MEDIA
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TERMINOLOGY
Archetype
Arete Chronological order Dactylic hexameter Epic poetry Epic hero Epic simile |
Epithet
Hero Hero's journey Kleos In medias res Invocation to the Muse Nonlinear narrative structure |
Nostos
Oikos Oral tradition Proem Rhapsode Tîme Xenia |
PRONUNCIATION GUIDE
Character and place names in the Odyssey can be really hard to pronounce for new readers! So here's a pronunciation guide to enable students from any background to read aloud and to discuss Homer's Odyssey confidently, without the inhibitions that come with worrying about pronunciation. Note that these pronunciations are conventional modern Anglo-American ones, informed by your instructor’s own academic training. The original ancient Greek names are not the same as their anglicized versions, and were pronounced differently. Modern Greek pronunciations are different again. In some cases, alternative pronunciations are possible within Anglophone conventions. Being familiar with the following general patterns will help you with a number of names in the poem:
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- e at the end of names is always pronounced, and always has the sound “ee”, as in PenelopEE or CircEE.
- eu is pronounced "you"
- ph is pronounced "f"
- for names ending in -us, I add an extra syllable for the possessive; for names ending in es, I don't. So: Odysseus' is five syllables; Laertes' is three syllables.
- Note especially, because it's the most common name that people have trouble with: the emphasis in Telemachus is on the second syllable (tuh-LEM-uh-kuss).
IMAGE GALLERY.
VIDEO GALLERY
"Everything You Need to Know to Read the Odyssey"
A TED-Ed Video by Jill Dash KEY TERMS: rhapsode, meter, mnemonic devices, repetition, hubris, xenia, in medias res |
A reading of the proem (first 21 lines) to the Odyssey in the original Greek,
set to dactylic hexameter |
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A reading of Book 1, lines 1-24, by Ian McKellen
Full audiobook available from Audible (13hr 18min) |
Introduction to the Iliad
from Course Hero |