Homer: The man, the myths, the legend

Where is he from?

Boetia

What are his two most famous works?

1. The Iliad —» Last year of the Trojan War and the wrath of Achilles

2. The Odyssey —» Oidyessus’s travels from Troy to Ithaca (sequel to The Iliad)

Significances of the Trojan War?

• Greeks fight as united nation —» gaining culture identity

• Defining moment in Greek culture

• Greeks obsessed with war

Did the Trojan War actually happen?

Yes, it happened (maybe). Archeologists discovered 9 levels that were inhabited during the Bronze Age aka the Age of Heros

When did he write?

Dark ages

What genre of poetry is Homer associated with?

• Epic

  • Always written in dactylic hexameter

  • Always concentrates on a hero who is mostly flawed and a journey (physically or spiritual or both)

  • Always begins with an invocation to Calliope

Who is Calliope?

Chief muse of epic poetry

Formulaic Language

Repetition of certain words and phrases

Bards

• Singing storytellers

• Allowed Homer’s stories to be told for many generations

Homeros

• Means hostage

• It is possible hostages were forced to be bards

What is Dactylic Hexameter

Each line of poetry has 6 feet

• Dactyl —» Short syllable

• Spondee —» Long Syllable