The Epic Hero Cycle: The Odyssey

The Epic Hero Cycle

Stage 7:

Resurrection, hero comes back from the low point.

The Odyssey

Stage 5:

The hero's travels take him/her to a supernatural world , often one that normal human beings are barred from entering.

Odysseus gets past Scylla and Charybdis and floats till he lands on Ogygia Isle. Calypso, a beautiful sea nymph, lives there. She holds Odysseus captive for seven years and then finally helps him build a raft to sail home. He then lands on Phaeacia, the island of the Phaeacians and tells them the story of his journey. They then send him back to Ithaca on one of their ships.

Odysseus has to travel into the Land of the Dead if he wants to return home. The Land of the Dead is a world that most people do not go into unless they have died. It is not a happy place, is bloody and many people are suffering. He goes there to talk to the blind prophet Tiresias. Odysseus sees his mom, and his old crew member, Elpenor in the Land of the Dead.

Stage 3:

The hero is tested, often to prove the worthiness of himself (or herself) and his/her quest.

Odysseus faces many obstacles on his journey home. He faces the Cyclops, Scylla and Charybdis, and the Sirens. He faces Poseidon's wrath when he blinds the Cyclops. He faces Zeus being angry at him when he attacked a village, and took all of the women and food. He is faced with having to enter the Land of the Dead to consult the prophet Tiresias.

Stage 1:

The main character is a hero, who often possesses supernatural abilities or qualities.

Stage 6:

The cycle must reach a low point where the hero nearly gives up his quest or appears defeated

Stage 4:

The presence of numerous mythical beings, magical and helpful animals, and human helpers and companions.

Odysseus is the King of Ithaca. He has been fighting in the Trojan War. He is extremely smart and cunning. He helped the Greeks win the Trojan War. Everyone knows who Odysseus is and he is admired. He is Athena's favorite human.

Stage 8:

Restitution-Hero regains power or claims his rightful place of honor.

Stage 2:

The hero is charged with a quest.

Odysseus is helped by many mythical beings and Gods. Athena helps him by disguising him as a beggar so he can defeat the suitors. Zeus helps him during the battle with the suitors. Aeolus helps him by giving him a bag of winds to push his boat towards Ithaca. His crew helps him escape from the Cyclops. Circe helps him by telling him in order to reach home he must travel to the Land of the Dead first.

After Odysseus' men kill Helios' cattle, they set sail for Ithaca. Helios is angry so he gets Zeus to send a big storm to punish Odysseus' men. The storm causes their boat to split in half and all of the men go tumbling into the water. Odysseus quickly makes a little raft and the storm pushes him toward Charybdis and Scylla.

Odysseus arrives in Ithaca disguised as a beggar. He reveals his true identity to his twenty year old son, Telemachus. Together, Odysseus and Telemachus kill all of the suitors, who were trying to court Odysseus' wife, Penelope. Odysseus then proves to Penelope he is really Odysseus and they live HAPPILY EVER AFTER.

After winning the Trojan War, Odysseus wants to get home and reclaim his kingdom. He wants to get home to see his wife and his son, Telemachus. While he was gone, men have tried to court his wife. Odysseus wants to get home quick, but also seems to have lots of curiosity about the rest of Greece.