TED-ED: Everything you need to know to read Homer's "Odyssey" - Jill Dash

The video explores the 'Odyssey,' a 12,000-line epic poem attributed to Homer, detailing its composition, themes, and historical context. It discusses the oral tradition of rhapsodes, the poem's structure, and its major themes, such as the wrath of the gods and the concept of xenia. The narrative follows Odysseus's journey home after the Trojan War, highlighting his challenges and the role of divine intervention. The video also touches on the historical search for Troy and the islands Odysseus visited, emphasizing the poem's enduring impact.

Who were the performers of the 'Odyssey' before it was written down?

• Scribes

• Minstrels

• Bards

• Rhapsodes

What is the major theme that unites both the 'Odyssey' and the 'Iliad'?

• The importance of friendship

• The value of wealth

• The wrath of the gods

• The power of love

What is the ancient Greek code of hospitality called?

• Xenia

• Eudaimonia

• Arete

• Agape

How does the 'Odyssey' begin its narrative?

• At the end of his journey

• With Odysseus's birth

• In medias res

• With the fall of Troy

What challenge does Odysseus face on his journey home?

• A lost map

• A broken ship

• The wrath of Poseidon

• A lack of food