The Odyssey Background Notes

Epic

A long, narrative poem that tells about the adventures of a hero who reflects the ideals and beliefs of a nation/race

Hero

Odysseus (King of Ithaca)

Villain

Those who anger the gods/go against Odysseus/Greeks

Damsel in Distress

Penelope (Queen of Ithaca)

Vast setting

Greece/Mediterranean sea

Supernatural powers

gods/goddesses/ monsters

Glorification of the hero in the end

Odysseus is reverted for his heroic prowess.

Odysseus is…

Honorable/honor, cleverness/guile

Hubris

excessive pride toward or defiance of the gods, leading to nemesis

Epithet

a brief, descriptive phrase that helps to characterize a person or thing

Epic Simile

A comparison between two things, using like or as, and going on at great length and detail

In media Res

in the middle