The Odyssey

Narrative poem containing adventure, a heroic figure, supernatural forces, embodies the values of society, covers vast time and place, invokes a muse, and starts in the middle of the story.

• Lyric
• Epic simile
• Epic
• Epithet

Short, repeated expressions that describe a character

• In medias res
• Epic
• Epithet
• Epic Simile

Comparison of something huge and amazing to something everyday and average

• In media res
• Epic
• Epic simile
• Epithet

Latin term for "in the middle," literary structure where the plot starts in the middle of the story and flashbacks are used to fill the audience in

• In medias res
• Epic
• Epic simile
• Epithet

Larger-than-life, but still human, brave, intelligent, valiant, faithful, able to handle any situation, usually on a quest, often aided by “the gods”

• Protagonist
• Epic Hero
• Anti-Hero
• Antagonist

Extreme arrogance or self-pride.  Often in Greek tragedies, this would be the fatal flaw of the main character, often resulting in their downfall.

• Hubris
• Xenia
• Arete
• Epic fail

———Why do we read The Odyssey?

• —It's part of our cultural capital as Westerners. (Has stood the test of time—a classic!)
• —Great adventure story!
• —Follows the Hero’s Journey pattern!
• All of these reasons!

Credited with “writing” The Odyssey •Lived around 900-700 BC? •A blind minstrel who wandered from place to place reciting poems

• Homer
• Aristotle
• Socrates
• Harper Lee

Another name for Odysseus

• Ulysses
• Homer
• Ody-Pody
• O-Man

Which of the following explains how the term "in medias res" applies to The Odyssey?

• The film version begins with the birth of Telemachus, prior to the Trojan War.
• The text version begins with the death of Odysseus' mother.
• The film version features a variety of gods and goddesses, including Athena, Zeus, and Poseidon.
• The text version begins after Odysseus departs from Calypso's island and begins telling his story to Alcinous.