Question

The Odyssey is a very old Greek epic that people usually say was written by Homer. It was probably put together in the 8th century BCE from a much older oral tradition. Scholars still argue about whether Homer was one person or just the name given to a group of storytellers called rhapsodes.

The poem remembers things from the Bronze Age Aegean and from early Iron Age Greek society. It shows a seafaring, warrior-based world with kingdoms centered around palaces. The Odyssey grew out of an oral storytelling tradition, where bards performed the story and used repeated phrases and stock scenes to help them remember.

The story teaches important Greek values like kleos (glory), nostos (returning home), xenia (hospitality), loyalty, honor, and cleverness. The gods in the poem often interfere in human affairs and help shape people’s fates. Because it preserves these early memories and ideas, the Odyssey has had a huge influence on later Western literature.

get the info from the text ' historical context the odyessey' from the textbook my perspectives english language arts savvas

Answer 1

Here are the main points extracted from the passage you provided ("Historical context: The Odyssey" from My Perspectives English Language Arts, Savvas), organized for quick study:

- Title/attribution
- The Odyssey is an ancient Greek epic traditionally attributed to Homer.
- Scholars debate whether “Homer” was an individual poet or a name for a group of rhapsodes (storytellers).

- Date and origins
- Likely compiled in the 8th century BCE.
- Based on a much older oral storytelling tradition.

- Historical setting preserved in the poem
- Remembers aspects of the Bronze Age Aegean and early Iron Age Greek society.
- Reflects a seafaring, warrior-based world with kingdoms centered around palaces.

- Composition and oral performance
- Grew out of oral tradition—bards performed the poem.
- Use of repeated phrases and stock scenes (formulaic expressions) helped memory and performance.

- Central values and themes
- Kleos (glory/fame)
- Nostos (the return home)
- Xenia (hospitality)
- Loyalty, honor, and cleverness (wit)

- Role of the gods
- Gods frequently intervene in human affairs and influence people’s fates.

- Cultural importance
- Preserves early memories and ideas of Greek society.
- Has had a huge influence on later Western literature.

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