Epic Poetry the Odyssey

Unit 10 Epic Poetry – The Odyssey

Essential Question- What’s more important: The journey or the final destination?

Common Core Standards:RL.4 Determine the figurative meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text; analyze the cumulative impact of specific word choices on meaning and tone RL.5 Analyze how an author’s choices concerning how to structure a text create such effects as mystery, tension, or surprise. RL.6 Analyze a particular point of view or cultural experiences reflected in a work or world literature RL.10 Read and comprehend stories and poems. Introduction: What is one of your goals? As you work toward this goal, you’ll face several challenges between the start and the finish line. You’ll have many experiences, friendships, conflicts, frustrations, and joys as you strive to achieve your target. When you think about the journey you are on, what is more important to you – meeting your goal or the experiences, positive and negative, you have along the way? In the end, what matters most? In this unit, you will follow a hero on his journey toward his goal – going home. Think about what his experiences teach him, and you. Also consider what is most important in life, the journey or the destination.

Making the Connection: With a peer, think of books, movies, television shows, or even songs that depict a journey of some kind. There are hundreds of shows and songs about finding a family member, the struggle to make it back home safely, or the mission to fulfill a dream. Sometimes the journey is physical, and sometimes it’s spiritual or mental. After you choose a story/movie/show/song, analyze it and decide what seems to be most important to the main character – the destination or the journey itself.

The Epic

Extraordinary heroes and heinous monsters. Brutal battles and dangerous voyages. Spectacular triumphs and crushing defeats. The epic tradition, still very much alive in today’s movies and novels, began thousands of years ago with the orally told epic poem. In ancient Greece, listeners croweded around poet-storytellers to hear about the daring exploits of a hero named Odysseus. With its stormed-tossed seas, powerful evildoers, and narrow escapes, it’s no wonder that Homer’s Odyssey remains one of the most famous epics in Western Literature. It captivates us because it is a compelling narrative and a window into a time and place different from our own.

Section 1: Characteristics of the Epic

In literature, an epic is a long narrative poem. It relates the adventures of an epic hero, a larger-than-life who begins great journeys and performs actions demanding extraordinary strength and cunning. As you journey through many experiences from the Odyssey, anticipate encountering the elements seen in the graphic organizer below.

Elements of the Epic Visual Epic Hero  Has superhuman strength, slyness, and cleverness  Is assisted and hurt by interfering gods  Exemplifies ideals and values that a culture considers admirable  Arises victorious from perilous situations  Learn more about elements of the epic hero @ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UD51mcnc9Hg Epic Plot – Involves a long journey, full of complications, such as  Bizarre creatures  Divine intervention  Major events  Dangerous weather

Epic Setting  Includes fantastic or exotic lands  Involves more than one nation

Archetypes – All epic include archetypes – characters, situations, and images that are recognizable in many times and cultures:  Sea monster  Wicked temptress  Buried treasure  Suitors’ contest  Epic hero  Loyal servant Epic Themes – Reflect such universal concerns as  Courage  The fate of a nation or civilization  A homecoming  Beauty  Life and death  Loyalty

Example: Characteristics of the Epic

In the passage below, the Greek (Achaean) king Menelaus is speaking to his wife, Helen. He remembers the moment when he and Odysseus hid with their fellow soldiers inside a giant wooden horse, waiting to attach the Trojans. Formally a Trojan herself, Helen stood outside the horse and called the soldiers inside, mimicking the voices of their wives. As you read, notice the characteristics of an epic that are revealed.

From Book 4: The Red-Haired Kind and His Lady Notes on Close Read the text “In my life I have met, in many countries, King Menelaus foresight and wit in many first rate men, mentions several but never have I seen one like Odysseus heroic traits that for steadiness and a stout heart. Here, for instance, Odysseus exhibited while carrying out is what he did—had the cold nerve to do— (5) his plan to defeat inside the hollow horse, where we were waiting, the Trojans. One picked men all of us, for the Trojan slaughter, trait has been when all of a sudden, you came by—I dare say highlighted. Find drawn by some superhuman two more. power that planned an exploit for the Trojans; (10) and Deiphobus, that handsome man, came with you. Three times you walked around it, patting it everywhere, and called by name the flower of our fighters, making your voice sound like their wives, calling. What archetype

Diomedes and I crouched in the center (15) does Helen along with Odysseus; we could hear you plainly; represent? Explain and listening, we two were swept your answer. by waves of longing—to reply, or go. Odysseus fought us down, despite our craving, and all the Achaeans kept their lips shut tight, Reread lines 8-10 all but Anticlus. Desire moved his throat (20) and 23-24. Explain to hail you, but Odysseus’ great hands clamped how the gods over his jaws, and held. So he saved us all, interfered in the till Pallas Athena led you away at last.” episode that Menelaus is describing.

Section 2: The Language of Homer

The language of Homer was ancient Greek, so what you will read is an English translation. The Odyssey has been translated several times, and each translator has interpreted it differently. Read the two versions of the opening of Book 2 in the boxes below. The first is written in verse and has a more formal tone and diction (more like the original), which the second translation is written in prose and is less formal.

Translation 1 Translation 2 When primal Dawn spread on the eastern sky her fingers of Dawn came, showing her rosy fingers through the early pink light, Odysseus’ true son stood up, drew on his tunic mists, and Telemachus leapt out of bed. He dressed and his mantle, slung on a sword-belt and a new-edged himself, slung a sharp sword over his shoulder, strapt a sword, tied his smooth feet into good rawhide sandals, and stout pair of boots on his lissome feet, and came forth from left his room, a god’s brilliance upon him. his chamber like a young god. - Translated by Robert Ftizgerald (1961) - Translated by W.H.D. Rouse (1937)

The Greeks who first experienced the Odyssey did not read a written version; they heard it as a live performance. Singing or reciting, a poet kept the audience enthralled with epic similes, epithets, and allusions.

 A simile is a comparison between two unlike things, using the word like or as. Homer often develops a simile at great length, so that it goes on for several lines. This is known as an epic simile. In this passage from Book 20, an angry Odysseus is compared to a sausage being roasted over a fire. The simile is highlighted.

Hi rage held him in leash, submitted to his mind, while he himself rocked, rolling from side to side, as a cook turns a sausage, big with blood and fat, a scorching blaze, without a pause, to boil it quick: so he rolled left and right….  An epithet is a brief descriptive is a brief descriptive phrase used to characterize a particular person or thing. When a poet needed to fill out a line, he’d add an epithet with the right meter and number of syllables. Odysseus is known by various epithets, including “son of Laertes” and “raider of cities.”

 An allusion is a reference to a famous person, place, or event. To help his audience picture what he described, a poet might have made an allusion to something they already knew. For example, when Odysseus’ son first sees the palace of Menelaus, he says, “This is the way the court of Zeus must be.” Every Greek would have understood this allusion to the ruler of the gods.

Example 1: Epic Simile

In this excerpt, Odysseus is watching the performance of a bard (a poet like Homer himself). Suddenly he finds himself listening to the story of the fall of Troy and of his own part in it. Notice the epic simile that is developed over this entire passage.

From Book 8: The Songs of Harper Close Read

And Odysseus What two things are let the bright molten tears run down his cheeks, being compared in this weeping [like] the way a wife mourns for her lord epic simile? on the lost field where he has gone down fighting In the highlighted the day of wrath that came upon his children. (5) lines, the wife cries At sight of the man panting and dying there, first for her dying she slips down to enfold him, crying out; husband, then for then feels the spears, prodding her back and shoulders, herself. Consider what and goes bound into slavery and grief. this might suggest

Piteous weeping wears away her cheeks: (10) about Odysseus’ but no more piteous than Odysseus’ tears, feelings. What might cloaked as they were, now, from the company the epic hero be crying about?

Example 2: Epithet

Here, the goddess Athena speaks to her father, Zeus, on behalf of Odysseus. Reminding Zeus of sacrifices made to him during the Trojan War, she begs him to let Odysseus return home. Athena has told Zeus that Odysseus is so homesick that he “longs to die.”

From Book 1: A Goddess Intervenes Close Read

“Are you not moved by this, Lord of Olympus? One epithet of Zeus Had you no pleasure from Odysseus’ offerings is highlighted. Find Besides the Argive ships, on Troy’s wide seaboard? an additional O Zeus, what do you hold against him now?” example.

To this the summoner of cloud replied:

“My child, what strange remarks you let escape you. What epithet does Could I forget that kingly man, Odysseus? Zeus use to refer to There is no mortal half so wise; no mortal Odysseus? gave so much to the lords of open sky.” Section 3: Reading the Epic

Reading the Odyssey is a complex experience. On one level, the poem is an action-packed, tension-filled narrative that makes readers eagerly anticipate the hero’s homecoming. On another level, it’s a timeless work of art to be valued and evaluated. The strategies below will assist you in getting the very most out of your journey through this epic story.

Reading the Epic as a Narrative Strategies  Note the changes in narrator. Make sure you take note of who is telling the story at any given point. Think about how the different Characters Who Assist Characters who hurt or narrators expand your understanding of Odysseus (Friends) harm Odysseus (Enemies) characters and events. Athena (goddess of war) Poseidon (Sea God)  Visualize the action and the different settings by paying special attention to the details in the text.  Track the events and conflicts and try to predict the final outcomes.  Use a graphic organizer like the one shown to keep track of all the different characters, including gods and goddesses and Odysseus’  Begs Zeus to  Stirs up severe numerous friends and enemies. Note which assist Odysseus and dangerous weather to cause each does to hurt or help him on his journey. escape Calypso’s island difficulties for Odysseus while traveling home

Reading the Epic as Poetry Example  Attempt reading the lines aloud, as the epic was originally performed.  Read the lines for their sense, just as you From Book 4: The Red-Haired King and His Lady would read prose. Follow the punctuation, and but never have I seen one like Odysseus remember that the end of a line does not For steadiness and a stout heart… always mean the end of a thought.  Listen for sound devices such as alliteration, assonance, consonance, and rhyme and notice how they reinforce meaning. In some cases, the sound device in English aren’t the Alliteration: The repeated “s” sound emphasizes the same as they were in the original Greek, strength of the epic hero. however translators attempt to capture the spirit and technique of Homer’s verse.)  Think about how the imagery and figurative language – especially the epic similes – assist you in capturing the spirit and technique of Homer’s verse.)

Reading the Epic as a Reflection of Its Time Example (Context)  Pay close attention to the character traits of Odysseus, the epic hero, by looking carefully at how he acts and how he is described. What Odysseus’ Traits Evidence do these character traits tell you about the Tough, strong, talented, Frequently referred to as values of the time period? and quick “master mariner and  Consider about what you’ve learned of Greek soldier” history and culture. What events may have Sharp, clever, good under Explained as “strategist” influenced Homer’s perspective? pressure when he answers a  Keep in mind that in Homer’s time almost all challenging question Greeks believed that the gods took an active asked buy Calypso interest in human affairs and business; the gods themselves behaved liked humans. How are these religious beliefs evident in the epic?

Example 1: Reading the Epic

Odysseus has been gone from his homeland for years, and all except his family think he is dead. Young men make themselves at home in Odysseus’ castle while striving to marry his “widow,” Penelope. Odysseus’ son, Telemachus, calls a meeting to deliberate the situation. The excerpt below is a conversation between Telemachus and one of the men after Penelope’s heart and hand.

From Book 2: A Hero’s Son Awakens Close Read

Telemachus addresses the crowd, complaining of the suitors’ behavior.

“No; these men spend their days around our house Try to picture the suitors at killing our beeves and sheep and fatted goats, Odysseus’ home by using details in carousing, soaking up our good dark wine, lines 1-9. Describe the image that not caring what they do. They squander everything. the lines conjured up in your mind. We have no strong Odysseus to defend us, (5) and as to putting up a fight ourselves— we’d only show our incompetence in arms. Expel them, yes, if I only had the power; the whole thing’s out of hand, insufferable.”

A suitor responds to Telemachus’ heated accusation. Take notice of the two speakers. What does Telemachus accuse the suitors of doing? How does one the “You want to shame us, and humiliate us, (10) suitor defend his and the suitors’ but you should know the suitors are not to blame— actions? it is your own dear, incomparably cunning mother. For three years now—and it will soon be four— she has been breaking the hearts of the Achaeans, holding out hope to all, and sending promises (15) Find two instances of sound devices to each man privately—but thinking otherwise. in the highlighted line.

Here is an instance of her trickery: she had her great loom standing in the hall What do the accusations made in and the fine warp of some vast fabric on it; this excerpt tell you about Greek values? we were attending her, and she said to us: (20) ‘Young men, my suitors, now my lord is dead, let me finish my weaving before I marry, or else my thread will have been spun in vain. It is a shroud I weave for Lord Laertes, when cold death comes to lay him on his bier. (25) The country wives would hold me in dishonor How would you describe Penelope if he, with all his fortune, lay unshrouded.’ to someone? Provide details that We have men’s hearts; she touched them; we agreed. assist you in understanding the So every day she wove on the great loom— traits Greeks prized in a woman. but every night by torchlight she unwove it; (30) and so for three years she deceived the Achaeans.”

J.W. Waterhouse’s “Penelope and the Suitors” (1912) In this painting, young suitors attempt to gain Penelope’s attention and affection.

Section 4: Analyze the Text

In the next excerpt, Odysseus as finally made it back to his homeland. He is disguised as an old beggar. The first person he meets his Eumaeus, his lead swineherd (person who tends to his swine or pigs). Greeting the unfamiliar, unrecognized beggar in the name of his missing lord, Eumaeus gives him a hot dinner, a drink, and comfortable place to sleep. To test the faithful swineherd and try to keep warm in the frigid cold, the disguised Odysseus devises a story. Through the story, he hopes to encourage Eumaeus to give him – a supposed stranger – the cloak off his back. As you read the excerpt below, use what you’ve learned to make sense of this incident.

From Book 14: Hospitality in the Forest Close Read

“Listen,” he said, “Eumaeus, and you others, here’s a wishful Consider why Odysseus is sharing tale that I shall tell. The wine’s behind it, this elaborate story to Eumaeus. What does this action tell you about vaporing wine, that makes a serious man Odysseus? What character traits is break down and sing, kick up his heels and clown, (5) he displaying? Explain. or tell some story that were best untold. But now I’m launched, I can’t stop now. Would god I felt the hot blood in me that I had at Troy! Laying an ambush near the walls one time, Odysseus and Menelaus were commanders (10) and I ranked third. I went at their request. We worked in toward the bluffs and battlements and, circling the town, got into canebrakes, Reread the highlighted lines and visualize the imagery used to thick and high, a marsh where we took cover, describe the setting. What does the hunched under arms. (15) imagery serve to emphasize. The northwind dropped, and night came black and wintry. A fine sleet descending whitened the cane like hoarfrost, and clear ice grew dense upon our shields. The other men, all wrapt in blanket cloaks as well as tunics, rested well, in shields up to their shoulders, (20) but I had left my cloak with friends in camp, foolhardy as I was. No chance of freezing hard, What epithets does the solider use I thought, so I wore kilts and a shield only. to address Odysseus in the story? But in the small hours of the third watch, when stars that rise at evening go down to their setting, (25) I nudged Odysseus, who lay close beside me; he was alert then, listening, and I said:

‘Son of Laertes and the gods of old, Odysseus, master mariner and soldier, I cannot hold on long among the living. (30) The cold is making a corpse of me. Some god What quality does Odysseus inveigled me to come without a cloak. attribute to himself in telling this No help for it now; too late.’ tale? Cite specific details to support Next your answer. thing I knew he had a scheme all ready in his mind— and what a man he was for schemes and battles! (35) Speaking under his breath to me, he murmured: ‘Quiet; none of the rest should hear you.’ Then, propping his head on his forearm, he said: Reread lines 31–33 and 39–46. ‘ Listen, lads, I had an ominous dream, What do you learn about how the the point being how far forward from our ships (40) ancient Greeks perceived their gods and lines we’ve come. Someone should volunteer and ominous dreams? to tell the corps commander, Agamemnon; he may reinforce us from the base.’ At this, Thoas jumped up, the young son of Andraemon, put down his crimson cloak and headed off, (45) running shoreward. Wrapped in that man’s cloak how gratefully I lay in the bitter dark until the dawn came stitched in gold! I wish I had that sap and fiber in me now!”

Then—O my swineherd!—you replied, Eumaeus: (50)

“That was a fine story, and well told, not a word out of place, not a pointless word. No, you’ll not sleep cold for lack of cover, or any other comfort one should give to a needy guest. However, in the morning, you must go flapping in the same old clothes. Shirts and cloaks are few here; every man has one change only. When our prince arrives, Think about where else you have the son of Odysseus, he will make you gifts— encountered a character like cloak, tunic, everything—and grant you passage (60) Eumaeus. What archetype does he wherever you care to go.” represent? Explain.

On this he rose and placed the bed of balsam near the fire, strewing sheepskins on top, and skins of goats. Odysseus lay down. His host threw over him a heavy blanket cloak, his own reserve (65) against the winter wind when it came wild.