Exploring Homer’s epic poem and the epic hero. 1. Identify and explain the elements of a Greek myth 2. Identify and explain the elements of an epic poem.

Exploring Homer’s epic poem and the epic hero

The Odyssey

1. Identify and explain the elements of a Greek myth

2. Identify and explain the elements of an epic poem and a hero’s journey

3. Identify and explain the characteristics of an epic hero

4. Analyze the relationship between myths and legends and epic poetry

5. Examine the historical context of literary works

Student Objectives

Power Standard 4: Make and support inferences and predictions, and utilize strategies to ensure comprehension (mental imagery, self-questioning, and graphic organizers). (2.1.5)

Power Standard 5: Analyze, evaluate, and draw conclusions about story elements and devices and explain how they are used to effectively convey a diversity of author ideas or meaning. (2.2.3)

Power Standard 8: Compare and contrast. Analyze and evaluate the presentation of an idea in multiple texts. (2.4.6)

Reading Power Standards

We will be creating a Gods and Monsters power point.

You will be assigned partners for this project, and we will be going to the library for the next three days.

You will receive a hand out explaining the assignment and the expectations. You can also access the information on my wiki page.

Stevensbhhs.pbworks.com

Day 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6

Warm Up“What is a hero? Who is a hero? Why do we

need or want them?”

The Odyssey and other stories about quests are found in film, TV, computer games, and literature What are examples? What are qualities of current heroes?

Day 7

You will need to know and understand the following terminology:

*allusion *heroic couplet *narrative

* epic poem *hubris *oral tradition*Invocation *xenia *simile *epic hero*mythology/myths *Greek fate vs free will*external conflicts *epic simile

*odyssey*Homeric epithets *Rhapsodies

Key Terms

I will divide you into pairs to define the three key literary terms on the white boards at the back of the room: Epic, Myth, and External Conflict.

You will create a Concept of Definition Map for each of the terms and tape them under the correct literary term.

Why are these terms important? What do you need to do to make sure you know and understand them by the time we take the unit test?

Day 7 Continued

Warm Up: Define the three literary terms we have studied so far in this unit: epic (poem), myth, and external conflict

Purpose of today’s lesson: Reading with a purpose and background knowledge.

First we will look at The Odyssey Introductory Power Point.

Next, turn to the Heroes and Monsters page in your Odyssey booklets. (labeled pgs 738-739)

We will read each paragraph and then answer the question about that paragraph.

I will reveal each question right before you read the paragraph.

Day 8 Heroes and Monsters

Paragraph questions:1. What is the definition of good and evil?2. What makes a monster monstrous?3. When does the ordeal begin?4. What is the religious theme?

How did it help you knowing the question before you read the paragraph rather than after you had finished reading all 4 paragraphs?

Day 8 Cont

Warm Up: Why did the Greeks go to Troy in the first place? What was Odysseus’ role in the Trojan War? Name one other character from The Iliad and that character’s role.

Turn to An Introduction to the Odyssey labeled pg. 740 in your booklet.

Today we will be using power notes to help understand the material and to practice writing one sentence summaries.

Day 9 Introduction to the Odyssey pg.740-747

Power Notes/Thinking for paragraphs 1 & 21. Intro to the Odyssey

2. Homer’s importance3. 3,000 yrs ago in Greece3.gatherer of great war stories

4.Iliad and Odyssey2. Stories based on need to control

waterways/trade routes3. may have taken place as early as

1200 B.C.

Day 9 Cont.

Now complete power notes for the next two paragraphs based on the numbers below.2.

3. 3.

4. 3.

4. 4.

2. 3. 3.

Day 9 Cont.

Now complete power notes for the next two paragraphs based on the numbers below.2. The Iliad

3. About the 10 yr war outside Troy3. Fought between Trojans and alliance of Greek Kings

4. each island or city had its own king3. War started when Helen ran away with Paris

4. Husband Menelaus Greek King4. Paris prince of Troy

2. The Odyssey 3. Story of Odysseus trying to get home after the

Trojan War3. All Western epics based on patterns of these two

stories

Day 9 Cont.

In your table groups, complete the power notes for Epics and values.2. Epics and Values3. Epics4. 4. 4.3.Epic for Westerners means Iliad and Odyssey (just give any 2 ex.)4. 4.3. Iliad and Odyssey both models for epics4.4. 5.5.5.4.

What is the next 2 going to be?

Day 9 Cont.

In your table groups, complete the power notes for Epics and values.2. Epics and Values3. Epics4. Poems of heroes that show values of civ.4. Greeks used Iliad and Odyssey to teach values4. Later cultures imitated Homer’s style with their own values3.Epic for Westerners means Iliad and Odyssey 4. Rome’s Aeneid4. France’s Song of Roland3. Iliad and Odyssey both models for epics4. Iliad epic for war4. Odyssey epic for long journey/quest5. Incredible Journey5. The Hobbit5. Star Wars4. Odyssey more widely read of the 2 stories

Day 9 Cont.

Today we will review Power Notes and then practice One Sentence Summaries.

Create Power Notes for The War-Story Background: Violence and Brutality

For the remaining paragraphs of the introduction, we will write one sentence summaries. Be sure to include important characters names, events and ideas in your summary.

Limit your summary to one sentence.

Day 10

2. The War-Story Background3. Background for Odysseus story found in Iliad4. 10th & final year of Trojan War4. Greeks attack Troy b/c Helen ran off w/ Paris4. Greeks banded together under Agamemnon4. Sailed to Troy in 1,000 ships3. Readers of The Odyssey would know this story4. Greeks won enslaving or killing all Trojans4. Greek hero Achilles died last year of war4. Probably other, now lost, epics of Greek heroes homecomings4. Especially Agamemnon, who was murdered by unfaithful wife.3. Homer’s listeners would have been fascinated by Greek hero known for brains and brawn.4. Many legends surrounded new hero Odysseus4. He is subject of The Odyssey

Day 10 Cont.

For the remaining paragraphs of the introduction, we will write one sentence summaries. Be sure to include important characters names, events and ideas in your summary.

Limit your summary to one sentence.Model Sentences:

Description: A ____ is a kind of ____ that … Contrast: ____ and ____ are similar in that they both… but ___ …

while … Sequence: ___ begins with … continues with … and ends with … Problem/Solution: ____ wanted… but … so…

Cause/Effect: ____ happens because … or _____ causes…For the remaining paragraphs of the introduction, we will write one sentence summaries. Be sure to include important characters names, events and ideas in your summary.

Limit your summary to one sentence.

Day10 Cont.

Practice for 1 Sentence Summaries Odysseus: A Hero in Trouble

Description: A Greek hero was a confident person placed between gods and ordinary human beings.

Description: Odysseus was a different kind of hero who was in trouble and faced difficult choices.

Desc: The Odyssey is a story about the lack of respect Odysseus receives after the war from the gods, monsters and even his fellow countrymen.

Sequence: It begins when Odysseus marries his wife Penelope, a beautiful and strong Greek woman.

Sequence: It begins with Odysseus and Penelope having a son, Telemachus, before Odysseus is called on to join the Trojan War, continues with Odysseus pretending to be crazy in an attempt to avoid going to war, and ends with Odysseus’ sanity being revealed.

Day 10 Cont.

Continue the 1 sentence summaries for the remainder of the introduction.The Wooden-Horse TrickThe Ancient World and OursA Search for Their Place in Life (2)Relationships with the Gods (2)Who was Homer? (2)How were Epics Told? (1)A Live Performance (2)

Review The People and Places in The OdysseyReview the map of Odysseus’ adventure.

Day 11

Define the following terms based on your notes from the introduction.Epic Poem/PoetryOral TraditionEpic HeroMythExternal conflictOdyssey (the noun, not proper noun title of

story)Rhapsodies

Day 12 Warm Up

Read the Trojan War packet.Answer the following questions:1. What specific event started the Trojan War?2. Who were the 2 brothers that led the Greek

armies?3. Why were the Greeks going to sacrifice Iphigenia?4. How long did the Trojan War last?5. How did the Greeks end the war?6. How long did it take Odysseus to get home?7. What were the reasons Clymnestra killed her

husband?

Day 12

Literary Terms to add to your notes. You will be quizzed and tested on these terms. ALLUSION – Reference to a statement, person, place or event from literature,

history religion, mythology, science, etc. Example: “Her hair was a tangled mess making her look like Medusa.”

EPIC SIMILE- An extended simile, as used in the epic poetry of Homer and other writers. Example: As when the shudder of the west wind suddenly rising scatters across the water, and the water darkens beneath it, so darkening were settled the ranks of Achaians and Trojans in the plain.

GREEK FATE VS FREE WILL- The belief that gods engineer fate and they interfere to make things happen that might not otherwise have happened vs the concept of having full authority over one's aspirations and ultimate direction. Example: Odysseus’ journey. Had he not upset the gods, he would have had a standard journey home rather than his epic adventure.

HEROIC COUPLET- A stanza consisting of two successive lines of verse; usually rhymed. Example: Know then thyself, presume not God to scan / The proper study of Mankind is Man.

HOMERIC EPITHETS- Descriptive phrase that is regularly used to characterize a person, place or thing in The Odyssey. Example: “wine dark sea.”

Day 13 Warm Up

Literary Terms Continued Xenia - Greek laws of hospitality. That all guests are safe from attack

under a host’s roof, even if they are the hosts enemy. Example: Odysseus expected Polyphemus to follow the laws of xenia, so he was shocked when Polyphemus killed 2 of his men.

Narrative - A story or account of events, experiences, or the like, whether true or fictitious. Example: The Iliad/ the Odyssey.

Invocation - The act of invoking or calling upon a deity, spirit, etc., for aid, protection, inspiration, or the like; supplication. Example: Polyphemus makes an invocation to Poseidon to delay Odysseus journey home and to bring him tragedy.

Simile - A comparison between 2 dissimilar things using like or as. Example: Hercules is as strong as an ox.

Hubris - Excessive pride or self-confidence; arrogance. Example: Odysseus taunting Polyphemus.

Odyssey - a long series of wanderings or adventures, especially when filled with notable experiences, hardships, etc. Example: The Hobbit

Day 13 Warm Up Continued

JOURNAL # 2 – 3/15/12“PREDICTIONS”

Immediately following the Trojan War, Odysseus makes a HUGE error that, in turn, angers the gods. Make a prediction of what Odysseus said and/or did to infuriate them so much.

Next, make a prediction of what will happen on the Island of the Cyclops…give details!

Now, DRAW YOUR OWN VERSION OF A CYCLOPS – FULL BODY. ADD COLOR! Be creative--It could be a baby cyclops, a sexy cyclops, a sporty cyclops jock, a headbanger cyclops, etc….

Begin The Odyssey “Into the One-eyed Giant’s Cave”

Write a one sentence summary for each of the adventures he faces in this chapter:CiconesLotus EatersCyclops

Summary of why he goes to Cyclops’ islandSummary of capture Summary of escape from caveSummary of escape from island

Day 13

Finish The Odyssey “Into the One-eyed Giant’s Cave” and 1 sentence summaries

Answer the Following Questions: How does Polyphemus go against of xenia in this story? Show an example of hubris in this story Why didn’t Odysseus just kill the Cyclops? Why didn’t the other Cyclopes help? What does Polyphemus ask his father for? This is an example of

which literary term? Find and write down as many Homeric Epithets as possible. Find and write down 2 examples of an epic simile.

CFA for The Odyssey “Into the One-eyed Giant’s Cave” Ungraded quiz to check for understanding at the end of the period.

Graded quiz on the Cyclops story is tomorrow.

Day 15

Read “The Bewitching Queen of Aeaea” and write a 1 sentence summary for each part of the adventureAeolian IslandLaestrygoniansScouting party on Circes Island and warning

OdysseusOdysseus tricking Circe and stayingOdysseus wanting to leave and Circe’s advice

Introduction Quiz on Friday. Reading Quiz on Circe Monday.

Day 16

Questions to Answer on Circe before the quiz:What lessons or moral do you think the story of Aeolus

and the bag of wind is trying to teach? WhyWhy does Aeolus refuse to help Odysseus a 2nd time?Do the Laestrygonians follow the Greek laws of Xenia?Who are the Laestrygones?Which of Odysseus’ men does not fall for Circe’s trap?How many Homeric Epithets can you find? Write each

epithet and how many times you find it.What external conflicts does Odysseus face in Book 10?Who helps Odysseus avoid Circe’s trap?What information does Circe give Odysseus to help him

on his journey?

Day 17

Reading Quiz on Book 10 (Circe)1. Why do the men open the bag of winds? 2. How does Circe cast her spells on men?  3. Why is Odysseus not changed into a swine? 4. How does Odysseus get his men changed back? 5. How does Hermes help Odysseus on his way to

Circe’s island?  6. Why does Eurylochus make Odysseus so upset

(that he wants to chop off his head)?7. How are the Laestrygonians a danger to

Odysseus & his men?

Day 17

Read “The Kingdom of the Dead”Who does Odysseus talk to in the Kingdom of the

Dead? Make a list.What does important information does Odysseus

learn from Tiresias while he is there?Why is Odysseus’ mother there? What happened to

her?Who does Odysseus see last?How many examples of a Homeric Epithet can you

find? Write them down.How many epic similes can you find? Write at least

one down and count the others.

Day 18

Warm Up Question: If you were leading your friends and had to choose between these two scenarios, which would you choose and why?Guaranteed to lose 6 members of your group,

chosen at randomOR50/50 chance to make a safe passage

unscathed or get every member of the party, including yourself, killed.

Day 19

1. Who is Odysseus’ father?2. Give 2 different examples of a Homeric epithet from this section.3. What 5 perils does Circe warn Odysseus about? 4. Which of these perils does he avoid completely?5. What warning does Circe give Odysseus about Scylla? Does he

listen?6. How does Odysseus avoid the Sirens?7. Why didn’t Odysseus tell his men about Scylla?8. What epic simile does Homer use to describe Scylla’s attack?9. What epic simile does Homer use to describe Charybdis?10. What happened to cause Odysseus’ men to break their oath and

eat Helios’ cattle?11. Who kills Odysseus’ men and destroys his ship? How?12. Where does Odysseus wash ashore after drifting at sea?

Day 19 Book 12 The Cattle of the Sun

If you were given the choice between staying on an island with a gorgeous god/goddess and being immortal or being able to go home to your wife and baby who you had not seen in 20 years, which would you choose? Why?

Day 20 Warm Up

1. Who appeals to Zeus for Odysseus’ release from Calypso?2. How does Zeus help Odysseus get released from Ogygyia?3. What is the Homeric Epithet used to describe Hermes?4. How does Calypso respond to the gods’ request to release Odysseus?5. What is Odysseus’ response to Calypso when she says she will help

him get home?6. What does Calypso promise Odysseus if he stays with her?7. What reason does Odysseus give Calypso for needing to go home?8. Who tries to stop Odysseus return? How?9. Name the two goddesses who help save Odysseus from drowning.10. Give the epic simile used during Odysseus fight to stay alive (p. 164)11. Give the epic simile used to describe Odysseus’ attempts to climb out

of the ocean and onto the rocks.12. How does Odysseus hide himself once he is on the island?13. What is the epic simile used to compare his hideout?

Day 20 Book 5 The Nymph & Shipwreck

1. Which god obstructs Odysseus’ journey home THE MOST? Explain why you chose him.

2. Who is Odysseus’ son? Why has been gone for a year?3. Who is planning on killing Odysseus’ son and why? How does he avoid the

assassination attempt?4. Why is Telemachus upset with his mother Penelope?5. Who is the swineherd Odysseus visits first when he arrives home? What is

he afraid happened to Telemachus on his journey?6. Give 2 examples of irony in the story. What type of irony is each example?7. What is Odysseus’ disguise? Who disguised him?8. Give an example of xenia from the story. 9. How is Odysseus’ true form revealed? Why does it happen?10. Give an example of 2 epic or Homeric similes in the story.11. When Odysseus is revealed to his son, who does his son think Odysseus is?

Why?12. How does Penelope put off marrying her suitors?13. Who recognizes Odysseus, even in his disguise? What happens to him after

he recognizes Odysseus?14. How might the treatment of Odysseus’ dog reflect the situation in Ithaca?15. What news does Telemachus not share with Penelope?

The Meeting of Father and Son Q’s

1. How do the suitors treat Odysseus?2. Who is the nurse maid that recognizes Odysseus because of

the scar on his leg?3. What challenge does she give the suitors? Why do you think

Penelope holds the contest among the suitors? 4. Who is the leader of the suitors?5. How do the suitors fair with the challenge? Give 2 specific

examples.6. Why does Eurymachus say Penelope shouldn’t let the beggar

try the challenge?7. What is the reason Penelope says the suitors should hang

their heads in shame? What key term does this relate to?8. What instructions are given to Eurycleia?9. What Epic simile is used to describe Odysseus’ observation

of his bow? (pg 437)

Odysseus Strings His Bow ?’s

1. Write 2 similes (not epic similes) from the selection

2. Which suitor does Odysseus kill first? How does he die?

3. What deal does Eurymachus try to make with Odysseus in order to spare the suitors’ lives?

4. Why does Odysseus say “no” to Eurymachus’ proposal?

5. Why does Odysseus say he is going to kill the suitors?

6. Who fights with Odysseus against the suitors?7. Which god or goddess helps Odysseus in his

battle with the suitors?

Slaughter in the Hall ?’s

1. What happens to the housemaids who had love affairs with the suitors?2. What is Penelope’s response when Eurycleia says Odysseus has returned?3. How does Penelope respond when Odysseus reveals his true self to

Penelope? Why would she question if it was truly Odysseus?4. What does Athena do to help Odysseus before he meets up with Penelope

that evening? How does this backfire?5. How does Odysseus react when Penelope questions his identity? What is

hypocritical about this?6. How does Penelope test to see if the stranger is truly her husband? What

is Odysseus’ response that lets her know it is her husband?7. What is an epithet? Give an example of 2 from anywhere in the Odyssey.8. Give 2 examples from the Odyssey where Odysseus’ hubris cost him

greatly.9. Why do you think Athena favored Odysseus and helped him throughout the

story?10. Based on the story and Odysseus, what predictions can you make about

Telemachus?11. What is Odysseus’ main goal throughout the Odyssey?12. What theme and Greek belief explains Odysseus’ inability to avoid the

turmoil in his life?

Odysseus and Penelope Questions

Homer LaertesHermes CalypsoCirce PolyphemusPhaeacians LastrygonesAthena Zeus Poseidon AntinousTelemachus PenelopeEumaeus EurymachusEurycleia LeocritusAgamemnon AeolusAlcinous

Characters You Need to Know!

1. Invocation a. reference to a person, place or event from literature2. Hubris b. a hero who faces pain and death and difficult choices3. Simile c. a long story that tell about the adventures of a hero4. Epic simile d. comparing heroic deeds to everyday events or actions5. Xenia e. a protagonists struggle against outside forces6. Greek fate vs free will f. belief that gods control what happens more than human

choices

7. Epic hero g. a descriptive phrase used repeatedly to describe a scene8. Allusion h. arrogance or extreme pride9. Narrative i. traditional story used to explain natural phenomenon 10. Oral tradition j. a story of events or experiences and can be fictional or

true11. Myths k. a long series of wanderings or adventures12. External conflict l. ancient tradition of passing knowledge on by word of mouth

13. Odyssey m. Greek minstrels that traveled telling stories and news14. Homeric epithets o. Comparison between 2 dissimilar things using like or as15. Rhapsodies p. Greek laws of hospitality16. Epic poem q. the act of calling on a god or spirit for aid

Odyssey Vocabulary Review

1. What are Rhapsodies? What is an oral tradition? How are the two related?2. What is the name of the technique used by ancient story tellers where they

repeated descriptive phrases throughout a story?3. What is an epic hero? Explain how Odysseus is or is not an epic hero.4. What are Odysseus’ heroic flaws? Give 2 examples from the story.5. What are 3 characteristics that the Greeks admired about Odysseus. Give an

example of each from the story.6. What makes you think these 3 characteristics were admired by the Greeks?7. What is Xenia? Give at least 2 examples from the story that let us know the

importance of xenia to the Greeks.8. What is external conflict? Give 2 new examples of external conflict for Odysseus.9. What do similes and epic similes have in common? How is an epic simile slightly

different than a simile?10. What is an odyssey? How does it relate to the title of the story, The Odyssey?11. What is an invocation? Give two examples where they are used in the story.12. Do you think the Greeks would have been upset by the slaughter of the suitors?

Why or why not? 13. Which is more responsible for the fact it took Odysseus 20 years to get home.

Fate or free will? Explain why you chose your answer and use at least 2 examples to support your answer.

Odyssey Review Questions

1. Laertes a. Sea nymph who Odysseus stayed with

2. Calypso b. Phaeacian king3. Polyphemus c. Odysseus’ wife4. Antinous e. Suitor who tried to buy his safety5. Telemachus f. Odysseus’ father6. Penelope g. swine herd who helped Odysseus7. Eumaeus h. Cyclops who cursed Odysseus8. Eurymachus i. leader of the suitors9. Eurycleia j. Odysseus’ son10. Leocritus k. nurse who recognized Odysseus11. Alcinous l. suitor who supported attacking Odysseus

Character Review Part 1

1. Homer a. goddess who supported Odysseus2. Hermes b. god who tried to stop Odysseus the most

3. Circe c. author of the Odyssey4. Phaeacians d. Greek king killed by his wife5. Lastrygones e. messenger god who helps Odysseus6. Aeolus f. man-eating giants7. Zeus g. sea-faring people who help Odysseus

get home 8. Poseidon h. Wind king who helps Odysseus once9. Athena i. god who kills the last of Odysseus’

men and destroys his ship.10. Agamemnon j. Sorceress who helps Odysseus

Character Review Part 2