Odysseus Unit Mrs. Shepherd

Ordinary World

The hero's normal life before transformation

Call to Adventure

The hero is presented with a problem or challenge

Refusal of the Call

The hero hesitates or refuses the adventure

Meeting the Mentor

The hero encounters a wise figure who gives advice

Crossing the Threshold

The hero commits to the adventure and enters a new world

Tests, Allies, and Enemies -

The hero faces challenges and makes allies

Approach to the Inmost Cave -

The hero prepares for the major challenge

Ordeal -

The hero faces their greatest fear or most difficult challenge

Reward -

The hero survives and gains something from the experience

The Road Back -

The hero begins the journey back to the ordinary world

Resurrection -

The hero faces a final test and is transformed

Return with the Elixir -

The hero returns home changed and with wisdom to help others

Hero -

The main character who goes on the journey and faces challenges

Mentor-

A wise guide who helps and advises the hero

Shadow -

Represents the hero's greatest enemy or darkest fears

Threshold Guardian -

Characters who test the hero as they enter new territories

Shapeshifter -

Characters whose loyalty or identity changes throughout the story

Trickster -

Clowns & mischief makers who only help the hero if it’s convenient for them.

Herald -

Characters who help the hero as they go through the change.

Allies -

The one who brings the adventure or calls the hero to action.

Epithets -

Brief descriptive phrases that characterize a person or thing (like “Odysseus, raider of cities”)

Epic Simile -

Extended comparisons sometimes using "like" or "as" that often span several lines

In Media Res -

A narrative technique where the story begins in the middle of the action

Frame Narrative -

A story within a story structure

Hubris -

Excessive pride or defiance of the gods (Odysseus’ fatal flaw)

Xenia -

The Greek custom of hospitality between host and guest

Hamartia -

A tragic flaw or error in judgment

Oral Tradition -

Stories passed down through spoken word before being written

Muse -

One of the nine goddesses in Greek mythology who inspire creativity and the arts, such as poetry, music, and dance.

Invocation -

calling upon a god/goddess to help you with something; specifically, Homer called upon the Muse to help him tell the story of Odysseys

Scylla -

Multi-headed sea monster

Charybdis -

Dangerous whirlpool

Polyphemus -

The Cyclops, son of Poseidon

Helios -

Sun god whose cattle are forbidden

Laestrygonians:

Cannibals who destroy many of Odysseus’ ships

Sirens -

Creatures whose song lures sailors to death

Lotus Eaters -

People who offer forgetful fruit