The Odyssey Pre-Reading

Answer the following questions in your notes:
- Who was the Trojan War between?
- Paris is the Prince of what?
- Why is Menelaus (Spartans) upset with the Trojans (Prince Paris)?
- Who does Achilles kill at the climax of The Iliad?

Main Events: (Summarized)
- Spartan King Menelaus’ wife, Helen (known as “the face that launched a thousand ships”), left him for Prince Paris of Troy.
- The Greeks attacked Troy to retrieve Helen.
- Agamemnon, brother of Menelaus, led the siege against Troy.
- Odysseus, the main character of the Odyssey, was another hero during the war, known for his intelligence as well as his strength.
- The famed Achilles, another hero, died in the final year of the war.
- The Greek forces emerged victorious in the end.

Overview:
- Sequel to the Iliad, composed between 900 and 700 BC.
- The Iliad focuses on the end days of the Trojan War (circa 1200 BC).
- The Odyssey follows Odysseus, a soldier returning home 19 years after the war.
- Both works are considered sacred by the ancient Greeks, akin to the Bible in modern culture.
- Originally passed down orally rather than written down.

Characteristics of Epic Poetry:
- Lengthy narrative poems detailing extraordinary deeds and characters.
- Often includes gods/goddesses or other supernatural elements.
- Features vast settings and focuses on a great hero's journey.
- Written in an elevated, poetic style.

Key Information:
- Origin: Where is he from?
- Family: Who is his son? Who is his wife?
- Role: What is his significance in the story?
- Traits: List some character traits.

Key Information:
- Residence: Where does he live?
- Family: Who are his parents?
- Role: What role does he play in the story?
- Traits: Name one character trait.

Key Information:
- Residence: Where does she live?
- Family: Who is her husband? Who is her son?
- Role: What role does she play in the story?
- Traits: Name one character trait.

Key Information:
- Domain: What is he the God of?
- Family: Who are his children? Who is his wife?
- Role: What is his function in the story?

Key Information:
- Domain: Goddess of what?
- Family: Who is her father?
- Role: What contributions does she make in the story?

Key Information:
- Domain: God of what?
- Family: Who is his son? Who is his father?
- Role: How does he influence The Odyssey?

Key Information:
- Domain: Goddess of what?
- Role: What is her significance in The Odyssey?

Core Values:
- Greeks held strong cultural virtues such as:
  - Loyalty
  - Hospitality (xenia)
  - Respect for the gods and goddesses
  - Respect for all forms of life
  - Courage and bravery

Epithets:
- Definition: An epithet is a descriptive phrase expressing a characteristic of a person or thing.
- Usage: Common in Greek society and epic poetry; they convey respect.
- Examples include:
  - Ivan the Terrible
  - Odysseus, Son of Laertes
  - Penelope, Wife of Odysseus

Definition: In Medias Res means "into the middle of a narrative."
- It signifies a story that begins in the midst of action rather than at the beginning.
- This technique engages the reader immediately and can create tension.
- A common feature of epic poems.

Invocation Defined:
- Write the definition of invocation in your notes (referring to previous vocabulary).
- Muses: In ancient times, poets would invoke a muse for inspiration.
- A muse is a being that inspires creativity.
- Poets, including Homer, began their work with an invocation to a Muse (thought to be nine goddesses).