What is an Epic?

lA long poem that narrates the

adventures of gods or heroes.
Examples: The Iliad
The Odyssey
Epic Hero
lAn epics central character is
the Epic hero.
lA larger-than-life figure that
undertakes a dangerous
voyage, demonstrating traits-
such as courage, loyalty, and
honor.
Homer
lAncient Greek Poet
lThought to be blind
lWrote the Iliad and the Odyssey
- epics about the war between
the Trojans and the Greeks,
900-700 B.C.E. (Before Common
Era)
The Odyssey
 The Odyssey
lEpic about the journey of
Odysseus (aka Ulysses) and his
men trying to get home after the
Trojan War.
l10 years
lan epic about humans on the
journey of life overcoming
temptations along the way.
Episode/ What happened? Theme/Trait
Place
 Episode/ What happened? Theme/Trait
Place
1. Troy Defeated Trojans by building a
hollow wooden horse they carry
inside the city and hiding inside.
2. Ismarus Visit old enemies land to show off Do not celebrate
and brag. Then they pass out and until you have
are attacked, losing 72 men completely achieved

3. Lotus- A hurricane blows them to North- Defeat temptations

Eaters Africa where they are welcome by by facing your
natives and their flower, which acts problems. Drugs
as a drug and makes crew not want dont solve
problems, but create
to return to Ithaca
more.

4. Cyclops They get trapped inside a Cyclops -Think before you

Island cave. They escape by getting him act
drunk, blind and tying them -Use your wit when
underneath the sheep. in danger.
 WARM-UP
Describe the scariest place you have been or the
scariest event you have been a part of. Get specific.
If you cant think of one, what would the scariest
place be for you? Include details.

- 1 PAGE -
 Characters
lUlysses or Odysseus
lSirens - group of females who
lured sailors by their singing
Characters
lCirce - goddess, enchantress,
who turned men into swine
lScylla - monster with 12 feet
and 6 heads with 3 rows of
teeth, carries off a sailor in each
mouth
Characters
lCharybdis - 3 times a day pulls
sailors into her whirlpool
lHyperion - the sun (distinct from
Apollo, the sun god)
lJove=Zeus=Jupiter=leader of
the gods
lEurylochus - one of the crew
members
Illiad
lStory of the last year of the
Trojan War
lWar had lasted 10 years.
lTroy was defeated when
Ulysses and his men were able
to get inside the walls of Troy
concealed within the body of
the Trojan horse.
The Trojan Horse
The Greeks constructed a huge
wooden horse, and hid a select force of
men inside. The Greeks pretended to sail
away, and the Trojans pulled the horse
into their city as a victory trophy. That
night the Greek force crept out of the
horse and opened the gates for the rest of
the Greek army, which had sailed back
under cover of night. The Greeks entered
and destroyed the city of Troy, decisively
ending the war.
 Sailing from Troy
Odysseus has been gone for a while and
suitors are trying to marry Penelope
Odysseus heads to Ithaca but the wind
takes him to Ismarus. There his army
celebrates too early and feel asleep. Then
they are assaulted by the locals and most
of them die.
Survivors go back to sea and face heavy
storms that take them to the Calypso
Island.
ODYSSEY: ESSAY PROMPTS 100 Points
1. One way to interpret The Odyssey is as an allegory for life's
journey. In an organized essay, describe how two of
Odysseus's adventures can be interpreted in this light.
What is symbolic about each? What lessons can we learn
through Odysseus as he makes his way home?
2. In an organized essay, explain how some of the challenges
and obstacles Odysseus faces and the choices he makes
are similar to those you have encountered in, or will
encounter, in your future? How are they different?
3. Odysseus is an admirable hero because he uses strategy
instead of strength to overcome many obstacles. In an
organized essay, analyze two events where Odysseus uses
his intellectual powers over his strength and share what
this tells you about the concept of a hero.
 ESSAY
REQUIREMENTS
5 PARAGRAPHS
CLEAR THESIS
3 PIECES OF EVIDENCE
CORRECT GRAMMAR,
PUNCTUATION & SPELLING