Ancient Myths and the Odyssey Knowledge Organiser PDF

Knowledge Organiser: Ancient Myths and the Odyssey Key Terms: ​ Myth : A myth is a traditional story involving gods and supernatural events that often explain events and ideas. ​ Hubris : Excessive Arrogance or Pride ​ Xenia: (Guest Hospitality): Ancient Greek concept of hospitality,...

Knowledge Organiser: Ancient Myths and the Odyssey Key Terms: ​ Myth : A myth is a traditional story involving gods and supernatural events that often explain events and ideas. ​ Hubris : Excessive Arrogance or Pride ​ Xenia: (Guest Hospitality): Ancient Greek concept of hospitality, Proper xenia includes offering food, shelter, and protection, and expecting guests to behave with respect and gratitude in return. ​ In Media Res: A narrative that begins in the middle of the action. ​ Deus Ex Machina: is a plot device where an unexpected power, event, or character suddenly appears to resolve a seemingly hopeless situation. Or Deus ex machina! It's when something unexpected suddenly happens to solve a big problem in the story. In ancient Greek plays, it was often a god who showed up to fix everything. ​ Epithet: An adjective or adjectival phrase that is used to define a distinctive quality of a person or thing. Example fleet-footed Achilles, bolt-hurling Zeus ​ Metaphor: A metaphor is a way of comparing two things by saying one thing is another to show a similarity. It doesn’t use "like" or "as." Eg :Snow is a white blanket covering the earth. A metaphor consists of a tenor, vehicle and ground. ​ Tenor: The subject of the metaphor and its intended meaning eg The snow ​ Vehicle:the source of the comparison or substitution being made e.g. a Blanket. ​ Ground: the relationship between the tenor and the vehicle eg. the snow looks thick and is covering everything, like a big white blanket Characteristics of a Hero · Favoured by the gods – this might mean that he was descended from a god or goddess, or just that he was under a deity’s protection. For example, Achilles was the son of the sea goddess Thetis. Gilgamesh was made two thirds god and one third man. · A hero must be mortal – they had to risk death. Although some heroes (particularly Heracles) become immortal, they have to die first. Although his mother is a goddess, Achilles’ father was a mortal man; although Thetis makes him invulnerable, his heel was unprotected, allowing him to be killed by Paris. · Physically impressive – they must be beautiful and imposing; being tall and strong was pretty important. · Skilled at warfare – Achilles was the ultimate warrior. Skill at war included both tactical intelligence and ability in single combat. The Epic of Gilgamesh Gilgamesh’s Characteristics Powerful and Strong – : He is a mighty king, described as two-thirds god and one-third human. Oppressive (Arrogant and Egoistic )– At the beginning of the story, he is proud and abuses his power, making life hard for his people. Brave :He undertakes dangerous quests, like battling Humbaba and seeking immortality. Beautiful – Referenced in his physical appearance, described as strikingly handsome. Search for Immortality: After the death of his friend Enkidu, Gilgamesh becomes obsessed with finding a way to avoid death. Wise and Reflective: Over time, he learns about the value of friendship, leadership, and accepting mortality. Key Characters ​ Odysseus: The protagonist, known for his cunning and bravery.  ​ Telemachus: Odysseus' son, who supports him in reclaiming their home. ​ Penelope: Odysseus’ wife who stays loyal to Odysseus while he is away. ​ Antinous: A leading suitor, arrogant and disrespectful. ​ Eurymachus: Another suitor who tries to bargain for his life. ​ Amphinomus: A suitor who expresses reluctance about the situation. Odysseus’ Character Bravery and Courage: Demonstrated in his unwavering determination to overcome dangers and obstacles during his journey. Sharp Intellect: Odysseus’ quick thinking allows him to devise clever strategies, such as tricking Polyphemus with the "Nobody" ruse and using wine to incapacitate him. Rationality: Overcomes personal desires, such as leaving Calypso by prioritizing his family and home over temptation. Persuasiveness: His eloquence and ability to manipulate words, like when convincing Calypso to release him without arousing jealousy. Strategic Mindset: Plans effectively to achieve his goals, such as disarming the suitors with Telemachus' help or leading his crew safely through dangerous encounters. Physical Strength and Skill: Complements his intellectual abilities, embodying the archetype of a well-rounded hero. Patience and Timing: Balances decisiveness with restraint, striking at the right moment to ensure success, such as in his confrontation with the suitors. Commitment to Family and Home: His yearning to return to Ithaca and protect his family underpins his heroic journey. Structure of a Narrative (Aristotle) -ERCFR 1.​ Exposition: Introduction of characters and setting. 2.​ Rising Action: Development of conflict. 3.​ Climax: Turning point of the story. 4.​ Falling Action: Events leading to resolution. 5.​ Resolution: Conclusion of the story. Epic Elements (Aristotle's Definition) - PCTDSS Aristotle identified six key elements of drama in his work Poetics: 1.​ Plot : The sequence of events that make up the story. A well-structured plot has a clear beginning, middle, and end, with each event logically leading to the next. 2.​ Character: The individuals who participate in the action of the story. 3.​ Thought : The themes, arguments, and messages conveyed in the work. 4.​ Diction: The choice of words and style of expression used in the dialogue. 5.​ Song : The musical elements of the performance, including rhythm and melody. 6.​ Spectacle : The visual aspects of the production, such as scenery, costumes, and special effects. Aristotle’s Narrative Structure Interesting Vocabulary  ​Diminutive: Small. ​Plummeting: Falling. ​Clamour: Noise. ​Parry: To turn aside the thrust of a sword.( To block or avoid an attack) ​Concord: Peace or harmony. Writing Strategies: Thesis Statement A thesis statement is a single sentence that answers a question or introduces the main idea of your essay. It includes two different viewpoints and uses a subordinating conjunction to connect them. Use a comma to separate the viewpoints In a thesis statement, subordinating conjunctions are used to connect two related ideas or viewpoints. The subordinating conjunction helps create a complex sentence by joining a main (independent) clause and a subordinate (dependent) clause. The use of subordinating conjunctions can show contrast, cause, condition, time, or purpose between the two ideas. How to Use Subordinating Conjunctions in a Thesis Statement: ​ Start with a subordinating conjunction to introduce the dependent clause. ​ Use a comma after the dependent clause (if the dependent clause comes first). ​ The main clause follows, introducing the main idea of your argument or position. Eg : Although Achilles is courageous and skilled, his rash decisions often lead to tragic outcomes. Creative Sentence Types:  1.​ Comma Sandwich A sentence with extra descriptive information inserted between commas. E.g.: "The labyrinth, which was dark and endlessly twisting, held dangers at every turn." 2.​ More, More, More Sentence : A sentence that builds on an idea using repetition to emphasize the increasing intensity or quantity. Example: ‘The more Odysseus plotted his escape, the more anxious he felt, the more he realized time was running out.’ Comparative, More, More Sentence (Every step forward, the darkness grew deeper, more complete, more worrying.) 3. Three word sentence: A sentence consisting of three words that conveys a complete thought. Example: ‘The cyclops screamed.’ 4. Sentence beginning with an adverb: A sentence that starts with an adverb, adding detail about the action. Example: ‘Stealthily, Odysseus approached the sleeping Cyclops.’ 5. A sentence which includes speech: Definition: A sentence that contains dialogue, showing characters speaking. Example: ‘"You will regret this, Cyclops!" Odysseus yelled as he struck the giant's eye with a sharpened stake.’ The Odyssey Summary The sequence of events in The Odyssey is not entirely chronological, as Odysseus recounts parts of his journey to the Phaeacians after meeting them. Here's a chronological order of events starting with Odysseus leaving Calypso's island. Leaving Calypso’s Island (Ogygia): Odysseus builds a raft, leaves Calypso, and survives a storm sent by Poseidon with help from Ino and Athena. Arrival at Scheria (Phaeacians): Nausicaa finds him, and King Alcinous provides hospitality. Odysseus recounts his adventures:  ​ Cicones: Raids and suffers losses. ​ Lotus Eaters: Rescues crew from the lotus's forgetfulness. ​ Cyclops (Polyphemus): Blinds Polyphemus, invoking Poseidon’s curse. ​ Aeolus’s Bag of Winds: Crew’s curiosity causes a storm; Aeolus refuses further help. ​ Laestrygonians: Cannibal giants destroy all but one ship. ​ Circe: Turns men into pigs; later aids Odysseus and sends him to the Underworld. ​ Underworld: Tiresias warns of dangers like Helios’s cattle. ​ Sirens: Odysseus listens safely, tied to the mast. ​ Scylla and Charybdis: Loses six men to Scylla while avoiding Charybdis. ​ Cattle of the Sun: Crew disobeys; Zeus destroys their ship. Return to Ogygia: Odysseus is stranded with Calypso for seven years until released. Return to Ithaca: With Phaeacians’ help, Odysseus returns home to reclaim his throne. Other Key Characters/ Stories in the Ancient Origins · ​ Yoruban Creation Myth · ​ Persephone (Creation myth) · ​ Zhulong the Candle Dragon (Creation myth) · ​ Gaia · Prometheus · ​ Gilgamesh · ​ Theseus · ​ Perseus · ​ Daedalus & Icarus · ​ Agamemnon & Achilles · ​ The Muses