The Odyssey and Homer
Reading the Odyssey is one of the most "classic" undertakings of all readings. It's one of the oldest stories we have written down from the ancient world. Originally written in an archaic Greek called "Homeric Greek" it eventually became an invaluable part of the Ancient Greek literary canon. It's been translated many times in the past 1000 or so years. To get the most out of reading the Odyssey, establishing a firm background in the history of the Bronze Age is necessary. As with any historical piece of literature, knowing about the time period, or era, provides clues and information about the writers and the characters.
The Bronze Age
The Bronze Age was between 3000 BC – 1200 BC. That's over 5000 years ago. The era is called the Bronze Age because people discovered smelting (mixing and melting) copper and tin into bronze. Watch the videos below and take notes to learn more about the BRONZE AGE.
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What does SMELTING BRONZE mean, exactly?Watch this video to see how a bronze spear tip or weapon or sharp ended tool for any kind of work could have been made thousands of years ago. Most of what we know about the Trojan War, featuring the characters Achilles and Odysseus, comes from Homer's works titled: the Iliad and the Odyssey. The Trojan War took place during the Bronze Age. The use of Bronze weapons and armaments are specifically mentioned.
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Click these links and look around the maps. The Google Earth link of ancient Troy is pretty cool. You can see in real time what archaeologists see and where they are working to uncover more information about the ancient Troy.
Ancient City of Troy in Google Earth (click)
Map of Ancient Greece (click)
The video game, Assassin's Creed Odyssey, is an unexpected gift to us as viewers. We can see a great replication of the ancient world. Enjoy!
Here are the PRIORITY STANDARDS we are addressing in The Odyssey:
CCSS.ELA.LITERACY.RL 3
Analyze how complex characters (e.g., those with multiple or conflicting motivations) develop over the course of a text, interact with other characters, and advance the plot or develop the theme.
CCSS.ELA-WRITING.W2
Explanatory writing -Write informative/explanatory texts to examine and convey complex ideas, concepts, and information clearly and accurately through the effective selection, organization, and analysis of content.
Supporting/Additional Standards:
CCSS. ELA LITERACY RL 9.6 Analyze a particular point of view or cultural experience reflected in a work of literature from outside the United States, drawing on a wide reading of world literature.
SL.1.d (Speaking/Listening) Initiate and participate effectively in a range of collaborative discussions (one-on-one, in groups, and teacher-led) with diverse partners on grades 9 topics, texts, and issues, building on others’ ideas and expressing their own clearly and persuasively.
L.4 Determine or clarify the meaning of unknown and multiple-meaning words and phrases based on grades 9-10 reading and content, choosing flexibly from a range of strategies.
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What do students need to know (Key Concepts)?
CCSS.ELA.LITERACY.RL 3
Analyze how complex characters (e.g., those with multiple or conflicting motivations) develop over the course of a text, interact with other characters, and advance the plot or develop the theme.
Explanatory writing -Write informative/explanatory texts to examine and convey complex ideas, concepts, and information clearly and accurately through the effective selection, organization, and analysis of content.
CCSS.ELA.LITERACY.RL 3
Analyze how complex characters (e.g., those with multiple or conflicting motivations) develop over the course of a text, interact with other characters, and advance the plot or develop the theme.
CCSS.ELA-WRITING.W2
Explanatory writing -Write informative/explanatory texts to examine and convey complex ideas, concepts, and information clearly and accurately through the effective selection, organization, and analysis of content.
Supporting/Additional Standards:
CCSS. ELA LITERACY RL 9.6 Analyze a particular point of view or cultural experience reflected in a work of literature from outside the United States, drawing on a wide reading of world literature.
SL.1.d (Speaking/Listening) Initiate and participate effectively in a range of collaborative discussions (one-on-one, in groups, and teacher-led) with diverse partners on grades 9 topics, texts, and issues, building on others’ ideas and expressing their own clearly and persuasively.
L.4 Determine or clarify the meaning of unknown and multiple-meaning words and phrases based on grades 9-10 reading and content, choosing flexibly from a range of strategies.
____________________________________
What do students need to know (Key Concepts)?
- general Greek mythology and Trojan War
- background information on the Bronze Age, specifically Ancient Greece
- introduction to hero/heroine's journey
- what contributes to character development
- what contributes to theme development
- take organized notes
- navigate required technology via Google Classroom, Google Docs, Pearson Online, Miss K's web page, Common Lit, and Grammarly.
CCSS.ELA.LITERACY.RL 3
Analyze how complex characters (e.g., those with multiple or conflicting motivations) develop over the course of a text, interact with other characters, and advance the plot or develop the theme.
- identify and track the role of a complex (main) character in a hero/heroine's journey
- how the character affects the plot
- how the character affects theme development
Explanatory writing -Write informative/explanatory texts to examine and convey complex ideas, concepts, and information clearly and accurately through the effective selection, organization, and analysis of content.
- organized writing
- analyze information across various media (text, visual, and/or audio)
- cite information from various media (text, visual, and/or audio)
- connect information from multiple sources
- use academic vocabulary appropriate to explanatory writing
- write an explanatory essay
- Become familiar with Homer's writing time period: the Bronze Age
- make connections about Bronze Age culture and point of view of main characters/author