English 1 CP Journal Write a list of what makes a person or character heroic. Try to come up with at least 10 items. You may also write in paragraph form if you wish. Key Terms An odyssey is an extended adventurous voyage or trip An epic poem is a long narrative poem about important events in the history or folklore of a culture the incredible deeds and adventures of a hero An epic hero is the larger-than-life central character in an epic poem Many epics begin in medias res, or “in the middle of things,” meaning that much of the important action in the story occurred before the point at which the poem begins Therefore, the adventures are often recounted in flashback, a scene that interrupts the sequence of events to relate earlier events More Detail: Epic Poem Epic Hero Based on historical fact, legend and truth Gods/goddesses help and harass the hero Hero reflects goals and values of society Taught lessons to listeners/readers Better than everyone (strength, courage, endurance) Pride in reputation Love for family/homeland Forceful leader Historical and Cultural Context The backdrop of details of the time and place in which the Whenis you a work work setread or in whichfrom it was written another culture, use Specific events, beliefs, and customs background and prior The Odysseytotells thethe story of the Trojan War, when the knowledge analyze Greeks fought (Turkey) influence of the Troy historical and culturalWar context. Trojan started because Paris kidnapped Helen – her husband is Menelaus Historical/Cultural Detail Background Analysis “Now Zeus the lord of the cloud roused in the north a storm against the ships…” Zeus is king of the gods in Greek mythology The Odyssey reflects a belief that the gods participate actively in the lives of mortals Homer Wrote the Iliad and the Odyssey (The Iliad is a story of war, while the Odyssey takes place after) Collected stories around 800 B.C. In oral poetic competitions, Greek minstrels sang stories set to music Stories were told and listened to more than they were read; they were not written down Did he exist? He was blind May have been the greatest in a long line of Greek epic storytellers/collectors The Odyssey Recounts Odysseus’ (epic hero) difficulties while trying to go home Odysseus ventures home after 10 years of fighting in the Trojan War Story begins 10 more years after the end of the war (in medias res; often told in flashbacks) No one has heard anything about Odysseus since he left 20 years ago When Odysseus is away, many men begin to vie for his wife, Penelope Odysseus and Penelope also have a son, Telemachus, who is 20 years old Map of Odysseus’ Travels Odysseus’ journey takes so long because the gods, including Poseidon (god of the sea) punish him and interfere with his travels Need a better visual? Troy No, we are not going to watch the whole movie