The document provides background information on The Odyssey, an epic poem attributed to Homer. It describes epic poems and some key elements of The Odyssey's plot. Specifically, it discusses Odysseus's encounter with the cyclops Polyphemus over three days, where Odysseus and his men take refuge in Polyphemus's cave but are trapped, and Odysseus devises a plan to blind Polyphemus with a wooden stake and escape with his men by hiding under sheep.

1. The Odyssey

2. Epic: a long, narrative poem about the
adventures of gods and heroes.
Epic Hero: a character whose actions
are noble or inspiring. They often
overcome foes or escape from
difficulties.
Epic/Heroic/Homeric Simile: a long,
elaborate comparison of unlike
subjects. They go on for several
lines and usually compare the
ordinary to the unknown.
Epithet: a word or phrase used to
describe or characterize a person or
thing. Example: "Zeus, lord of the
clouds."

3. In medias res: when a story begins in the
middle of the action. All exposition is skipped.
Episode: the division of an epic.
Oral Tradition: the passing of songs, stories
and poems from generation to generation by
word of mouth.
Archetype: a theme, plot, setting, character
type, or hero that recurs in many different
cultures. Example: the battle of good vs. evil;
innocence lost; misbegotten lovers, etc.
Rhapsodes: they are "singers of tales." They
were the ones who told the epics in the oral
tradition, before these poems (stories) were
written down.

4. Elements of an Epic
• A physically impressive hero of national or
historical importance.
• A vast setting involving much of the known
physical world, and sometimes the land of the
dead and mythological realms as well.
• Action such as a quest or journey taken in
search of something of value.
• Evidence of supernatural forces at work (i.e.,
help of gods, goddesses, etc.)
• Glorification of the hero at the end.
• A rootedness in a specific culture or society.

5. Background Information
• Homer (Greek) is credited with first composing
The Illiad (about the Trojan War.).
• The Trojan War lasted for 10 years in
Troy (Troy = modern day Turkey).
• the cause of the Trojan War = the
Greek King Menelaus had his wife,
Helen, stolen by the Trojan Prince
Paris.
• The Odyssey is about what Greek
King Odysseus (of Ithaca) experiences
trying to return home to Ithaca after 10
years at the Trojan War. The Odyssey
is the 2nd epic attributed to Homer.
• The Illiad and The Odyssey were used
in Greek schools to teach their
culture's values.
The Illiad is the model for the epic of war.The Odyssey
is the model for the epic of long journeys.

6. The War Story Background
The Illiad is set in the 10th and final year of
the Trojan War. The Greeks attack Troy
to avenge the insult done to King
Menelaus of Sparta (Greek). Menelaus's
brother, Agamemnon, leads the unified
Greek kings in battle against Troy.
When the Greeks finally win, they trash
the city of Troy and kill all the
inhabitants except those they were
taking back to Greece as slaves. The
readers of The Odyssey would have
already known the story of Achilles and
the names of deeds of other Greek war
heroes.

7. The Wooden Horse
• For 10 years the Greeks tried to enter Troy, with no success. King
Odysseus hatches a plan: The Greeks build a huge wooden horse that
is hollow inside. They fill the horse with Greek soldiers, roll it to the
gates of Troy, and then move their camps as if they have left and as if
the wooden horse is a peace offering. The Trojans see this, think
they've won the war, roll the horse inside the city gates, and start to get
drunk. Once the Trojans pass out drunk, the Greeks jump out of the
horse and kill the Trojans, except for the captives to be used as slaves.
• ** SO The Odyssey picks up the story after this point.
- Myths: stories that use fantasy to express ideas about life that
cannot be easily explained in realistic terms. They are religious in
that they focus on the relationship between humans and gods.
- Alter Ego: a character who serves as a reflection of a hero's best
or worst qualities. Poseidon is the alter ego of Odysseus.
• ** The Odyssey is 11,300 lines long**

8. The Plot Structure of the Odyssey
• Books 1-4: the adventures of Telemachus as he searches for his
father, King Odysseus. He (Telemachus) leaves Ithaca and seeks
the help of other Greek kings in searching for Odysseus.
• Books 5-8: Adventures of Odysseus as he leaves Calypso's island
(Ogygia) and arrives in Phaeacia.
• Flashback = Books 9-12: Odysseus recounts his travels and
experiences to the Phaeacians and their king, Alcinous.
• Books 13-24: about Odysseus landing on Ithaca, the battle with the
suitors, and the final recognition and reunion of Odysseus with
Telemachus, Penelope, and Odysseus's father, Laertes.

9. ** Property of an epic = Invocation of the Muse: the
poet prays for inspiration to relay his tale/ song/ poem
from one of the 9 muses. The Muses were
mythological daughters of Zeus and were credited
with inspiring music, arts, theater, story telling
(anything artistic).
The poem starts with Homer invoking
the Muse. (Book I)
Homer is asking the Muse (Calliope) to help him retell
the story of Odysseus.

10. BOOK 5: When We Meet
Odysseus in the Textbook
Calypso's island of Ogygia (not #1 chronologically):
• Odysseus has spent 7 years on the island as her boy toy.
(some of the time he enjoyed).
• Line 41-47: epic simile: "A gull patrolling…up to the cave." This
compares how a seagull skims the water (known) to how Hermes,
a god, skims the water (unknown).
- Calypso's cave/island is described like a paradise.
Meanwhile, Odysseus is miserable.
- Calypso tells Odysseus that it's her idea to let him go. She's
saving her pride; also, she truly feels for Odysseus.
- Epithet: line 101: "Son of Laertes, versatile Odysseus…"

11. BOOKS 6-8
- line 120: epithet = Odysseus refers to himself as
Laertes's son. This shows his humility and how
his family has taken on more importance to him
than the glories of a king.
- Line 145: he values his home and family most.
(this theme is the driving force of the poem.).
• **Odysseus and his men spent 3 days with the Cicones.
72 men die there (Book 9)
- line 179: epithet: "Zeus, the lord of cloud"
- 3 days they're stuck in the storm (p.898)
• 9 days drifting on the open sea (p.898)

12. BOOK 9 (This starts the flashback books)
• The Lotus Eaters
– on the 10th day they
land in the Land of
the Lotus Eaters (#3
on your kill map).
Odysseus sends 3 men to check things out. The
Lotus Eaters are friendly and start feeding the 3
men the lotus plant. ( narcotic).
None die; this is an example of Odysseus acting
like a good leader because he won't leave them
and drags them back to the ship before they lose
all memory of home.

13. The Land of the Cyclopes (Past)
Odysseus’s impression of the Cyclopes before they get to the island:
• Giants, louts
• Lawless = no organized system of government.
• Uncivilized = distasteful way of life to the ancient Greeks
• Cruel and barbaric, like cave men
• They do not have an agrarian (agricultural) way of life = very
distasteful to the ancient Greeks

14. •Polyphemus's mother is
Thoosa, a sea nymph and
daughter of Phorkys, also a sea
god, who lives in a cave in
Ithaca.
•Odysseus and crew spend
several days on lush island
nearby watching the Cyclopes.
They had to stop on island due
to heavy fog. They spend their
time feasting and relaxing. On
the 3rd day, they leave the lush
island and go to the Land of the
Cyclopes.

15. Day 1
Setting: cold, harsh environment. Very stony and uninviting.
They see the Cyclops Polyphemus, son of Poseidon.
Polyphemus is huge (prodigious). He lives alone taking
care of his livestock. He's very savage- looking.
Odysseus and his crew dock. He picks 12 of his best
fighting men to go with him. He tells the rest to stay with
the ships and guard everything. [an example of Odysseus
acting like a good leader].
Odysseus thinks ahead and brings along good wine as a
peace offering.
• **Odysseus is the cleverest of the ancient heroes of
Greece because his protector is Athena, goddess of
wisdom.
• ** Polyphemus is an archetypal character representing the brute
forces any hero must overcome.

16. - they go into Polyphemus's cave while he's out. They check out the
food in the cave. Them men suggest that they take the food and
milk products and leave. *Odysseus refuses to leave. He's curious
and wants to see Polyphemus up close. [an example of Odysseus
acting human, rather than heroic].
- Odysseus and his men make a fire and burn an offering to the gods.
They eat some of Polyphemus's food.
- Polyphemus puts down his load of food. Odysseus and his men
hide. Polyphemus brings in his animals, then moves a huge stone
slab in front of the door. No way for Odysseus and his men to get
out.
• Polyphemus starts his evening chores and discovers Odysseus and his
men. He asks O. if he's a friend or foe, beggar or merchant.
• **Immediately, he has broken the ancient tradition of courtesy to
strangers. Foreshadows events to come, which are bad. Odysseus
is afraid but acts bravely. He talks to the Cyclops about being at
Troy and traveling, but doesn't give his name. He reminds
Polyphemus about the customary treatment for guests, and plugs in
a little threat to try to make Polyphemus do the right thing.

17. Polyphemus insults Odysseus and says Cyclops
don't fear the gods (a sacrilege). Then he tries to
find out where the ships are.
Odysseus lies to protect his men; he says they're
shipwrecked and there were no other survivors.
**Polyphemus eats 2 men.
Odysseus doesn't try to kill Polyphemus because
they would be unable to escape the cave because
of the stone slab.
• Odysseus and the remaining 10 men freak out and CRY.
Polyphemus goes to sleep and Odysseus draws his
sword and wants to stab at Polyphemus, but stops. He
stops because he realizes they will be trapped in the cave
since they are unable to move the stone slab. This is an
example of Odysseus using his intellect and thinking
before he acts.

18. Day 2
- Polyphemus starts the next morning doing his chores as if nothing's
wrong. Then he eats 2 more men for breakfast.
- Line 304-305 : simile
- Polyphemus leaves the cave with his animals, then replaces the stone
slab behind him. Odysseus and his men are trapped, but he hatches a
plan to get out of the cave and injure Polyphemus.
- They see a green olive tree and they cut out a 6-foot portion. They
sharpen that section. Then put it in the fire to harden the big spike.
They then hide the weapon in a pile of poop in the cave and wait for
Polyphemus to return. Odysseus and the men toss to see who will
help stab Polyphemus. Odysseus is the captain and the best men
were chosen to help him in the toss.
- 5 plus Odysseus will blind Polyphemus in his sleep.
- Line 332-333: example of foreshadowing.
- Polyphemus returns and closes the slab over door, and begins his
evening chores.

19. Day 2 Cont... - He eats 2 more men for dinner.
- Odysseus uses the Pramnian wine he had brought
to get Polyphemus drunk. He says he'll cut a deal
with Odysseus if he gives him more wine. He
agrees and gives him more. Polyphemus asks him
his name. Odysseus tricks him and tells him his
name is Nohbdy last. * irony: Nohbdy = Nobody.
- The escape: Odysseus and his men stab
Polyphemus in the eyeball and pop it while he's
passed out drunk. They can't kill him or they'll be
trapped in the cave and starve to death. They tie
rams together in three's and using willow from
Polyphemus's bed. Then, he ties each of his men
under the middle ram (Odysseus being clever).
Odysseus waits until all other men are secure; he
then puts himself under a single, large ram. They
wait until the morning. Heroic act = Odysseus is
putting himself at the greatest risk to protect his
men.

20. - moment of tension: the men get out of the
Day 3 cave safely, but Polyphemus (blind) stops
the one under which is Odysseus. He stops
it and talks to it : Irony = Polyphemus asks
the ram where "Nohbdy" is. He doesn't
realize that Nohbdy/Odysseus is under his
hand. (line 450-456)
- Personification: Polyphemus talks to the ram
like it is concerned for him.
- Odysseus and his men make it safely back
to the ship and take Polyphemus's sheep
with them. They load up and pull out to sea;
distraught over lost (eaten) men.
- Line 476: Odysseus lets his emotions take
over (acting human, not heroic). When
they're out to sea, in anger Odysseus shouts
back at Polyphemus and baits him.
- Polyphemus breaks off a hilltop and hurls it
at their ship. They are washed back closer to
the shore. They row twice as far away and
Odysseus's men beg him not to shout at
Polyphemus anymore.

21. Day 3 Cont...
- Odysseus refuses. He shouts at Polyphemus anyway and tells
him his real name. Polyphemus says he knew about Odysseus
from a prophecy.
- Polyphemus calls out to his father, Poseidon, and asks him to
kill/curse Odysseus. His father hears him.
- Line 526: Odysseus blasphemes the power of Poseidon.
- Line 529-538: *Polyphemus's curse will cause the death of all of
Odysseus’s men.
- Polyphemus picks up another giant stone and throws it at
Odysseus’s ship. It misses. He and his crew head back to the
nearby lush island. They unload the animals and divide them up.
Odysseus kills the best ram, his, and makes a sacrifice to Zeus.
Zeus does not accept the offering because Odysseus
blasphemed Poseidon.
• They sail off again.

22. The Wind King (Past)
- after they leave Cyclops's island, they land on
Aeolia, the island of the wind King, Aeolus. For 1
month they stay here.
- When they leave, Aeolus puts all the stormy
winds in a bag so Odysseus and his men will
have smooth sailing. Aeolus leaves only the good
winds free.
• ** When they are near home, Odysseus's men open the
bag while he sleeps. They are blown back to Aeolia.
King Aeolus refuses to help them a 2nd time, thinking
they and their voyage and cursed. It will take them
much longer to get home now.

23. Land of the Laestrygonians (Past)
**Example of Vast Setting
• 11 ships of the 12 enter the harbor here. The 12th
ship (carrying Odysseus) remains furthest out
in the sea. The Laestrygonians are giant
cannibals so, when the 11 ships enter the
harbor, thousands of these giants surround and
attack the ships, they eat 588 men. They were
here for only 1 day. Only the 12th ship, with
Odysseus and his 45 crew members down to 45
crew members.

24. Circe’s Island of Aeaea (Past)
- Odysseus divides his crew into 2 groups.
Eurylochus with 22 men goes out in a search party
to find good, freshwater, and a safe place to rest.
Odysseus leads the 2nd group.
- Line 539: alliteration
- Line 543-546: epic/ homeric/ heroic simile
- Eurylochus's group goes out to explore island.
- Eurylochus's group finds Circe's palace

25. -Circe's singing when they come up. They also
see her weaving on her loom, so they think
she's friendly.
-Polites tells the group they should not fear the
goddess; also, he says they have no reason to
want to trick her or use stealth
-Circe calls them all in
-All the men except Eurylochus go into her
palace.
-Circe makes them comfortable
.She seats them on lounging chairs.
.She feeds them cheese and barley.
She gives them a wine concoction.

26. Cont...
- Line 568: the spiked drink makes the men forget; then she
turns them all into pigs/swine. However, they still have the
minds of humans.
- Eurylochus returns to the ship and reports what happened to
Odysseus. The other 22 remain at Circe's hall.
• He begs Odysseus to leave the island; but, Odysseus wants to
save his men (heroic)
• * Odysseus goes to save his men, but on the way he meets the
god Hermes.
• Hermes gives Odysseus a special flower- a moly- to protect
Odysseus from Circe's magic.
• Hermes tell Odysseus he must make the goddess swear she'll
play no "witch's" tricks on him.
• Odysseus heads to Circe's palace and she welcomes him.

27. Odysseus and Circe
Circe seats him in a silver-studded chair
She gives him a drink laced with her
"unholy drug"
She tries to change him into swine, but her
trick doesn't work = Odysseus is
protected by moly he received from
Hermes.
Circe then tells him she was previously
told of Odysseus and that she wants
him to "play and love"
Odysseus refuses until she swears an
oath that she will try no more tricks.
Circe makes the oath and they begin a
romantic relationship
Odysseus continues to worry about his
men who were transformed into swine:
an example of him acting like a good
leader.

28. He refuses to eat and acts disconsolate, much to Circe's
dismay.
Circe tires to cheer up Odysseus, but he refuses until Circe
changes his men back - this is an example of his cunning.
Circe, in sympathy, frees the men and changes them back
into humans.
They appear younger and more handsome.
The men and Odysseus weep for joy when reunited. Even
Circe is touched by their emotion.
This act by Circe alters Odysseus's opinion of her. Now he
calls her "exquisite."
Circe tells Odysseus to stow away all their gear and return
with all his "dear companions" from the ship. Odysseus
obeys because he says he can't resist her.

29. Odysseus Versus Eurylochus
- As Odysseus and his men return to the ship, they find
their crewmates weeping.
– They cried because they thought the transformed
men had been lost.
– They cried in relief at seeing their crewmates return
safely.
- Odysseus gives his men the orders to store their
equipment, but Eurylochus opposes this idea.
- Eurylochus challenges Odysseus's judgment and
authority. He tells the men they should doubt
Odysseus because of all their past troubles.

30. •Eurylochus reminds them of the 6 men eaten by
Polyphemus.
•He reminds them about the men changed into pigs.
Odysseus responds angrily: he wants to kill Eurylochus:
an example of him acting humanly and reacting with his
emotions. But, Odysseus is also acting like a strong
leader in that he will not tolerate dissension.
•The other men tell Odysseus not to worry.
•They'll follow him to Circe's hall.
•They tell Odysseus to leave Eurylochus behind. They
demonstrate their loyalty and respect for Odysseus
and Ithaca.
•This shows how Odysseus can still be hot-headed
and violent = flaws

31. -Eurylochus and the men
go with Odysseus back to
Circe's hall.
She wines and dines
them.
The rest helps restore
them mentally and
physically. This shows
Circe's compassion
contrasted to her cruelty
since other humans
remain as animals (but
not Odysseus's men).
**Odysseus and his men
are lulled into staying for
a year, not thinking of
home.

32. Aeaea Cont...
While the men are drunk
one night, Elpenor gets
too drunk, falls off the
roof, and dies. (1 dead).
His men begin to long
for home.They remind
Odysseus that he is a
king and has
responsibilities in Ithaca
as a king/leader.

33. **Odysseus is torn between
his duty and his enjoyment
with Circe (he succumbs to
the same type of danger as
the 3 men faced in the land
of the Lotus Eaters). This
time Odysseus must be
saved.
Odysseus tells Circe he
must leave. She responds
by telling him what he must
do.

34. Again, Circe shows her
concern for Odysseus, which
is contrasted with her
callousness toward other
humans.She tells them they
must travel to the underworld
(aka. The Land of the Dead).
She tells him he must seek
the advice of Teiresias, the
blind prophet of Thebes
(who's dead) before he can
find his way home.

35. Land of the Dead- Underworld/Hades (past) Book 11
This is an example of a vast setting.
The setting is darkness, endless,
bottomless.
–This foreshadows the grim news
that Odysseus will learn from
Teiresias.
–This foreshadows his men's deaths
to come later.
Perimedes and Eurylochus help
Odysseus make the sacrifices Circe
told him to so that he can bring
Teiresias back from the dead.

36. Helping with the sacrifices
shows Eurylochus's wishy-
washy character. This
shows Odysseus's ability to
forgive. Now, he again
treats Eurylochus with great
trust. They make an altar to
Teiresias.
This is to convince him to help them. They see many different
kinds of dead people - including soldiers. This foreshadows
the death of his own men. The blood is symbolic of life; he
regains enough "life" to prophesy for Odysseus. Odysseus
encounters the following characters from the Trojan War: Ajax,
Achilles, and Heracles (aka. Hercules).

37. More Underworld
•**Epithet = "the prince of Thebes" is
Teiresias.
-Odysseus sees the ghost/ spirit of
Elpenor, his man who fell off the roof
and died on Circe's island. Elpenor
tells him he died falling off the roof
(Odysseus didn't realize it was
partially his fault). This foreshadows
how all the other men will die as a
result of giving in to their human
desires later when they come to
Helios's island.
•Elpenor serves as a warning.