Curated OER
An Introduction to the Odyssey
Epics, like the Odyssey, were told over the span of several days and drew quite a crowd. Before starting the famous work with your class, review this presentation to gain some insight into the structure and history of epic poems.
Prestwick House
Introducing Literary Theory – A Unit Wrap-Up
Literary theories are lenses through which a text may be analyzed. The question in this lesson plan is how a particular literary lens can influence the reader's view of the text.
Art Institute of Chicago
Lesson Plan: A Writer’s Odyssey
Looking for a fresh approach to an end-of-unit project for The Odyssey? Check out a resource that has class members write their own hero's journey short story and then craft an illustration that depicts their tale. Apollonio di...
Curated OER
Through the Odyssey, Lesson 3
Ninth graders create Powerpoint Presentation using information and assignments from previous two lessons. They compare Odysseus's obstacles with those from their own lives, and share slideshows with classmates.
Mythweb
Mythweb: Odysseus
Fun, illustrated trip through the story of the Odyssey well suited for younger audiences. Each book of the Odyssey is summarized on a page along with a very eye-catching illustration.
Other
Study Guide for Iliad: Books 1 4
This overview of the earliest sections of the Iliad, followed by study questions, guides the reader through the most important themes of the epic. Provides links to information regarding all the books.
Bartleby
Bartleby.com: The Odysseys of Homer, Vol. I
This very early translation by George Chapman is offered from its 1857 edition at this site.
Project Gutenberg
Project Gutenberg: The Adventures of Ulysses by Charles Lamb
Charles Lamb retells the tale of Ulysses. This is not a translation of Homer's Ulysses, but a modern (19th century) retelling of the story.
Annenberg Foundation
Annenberg Learner: Invitation to World Literature: Homer: The Odyssey
Lesson from a multimedia course on literary world classics considers Homer's Odyssey. Lesson centers on a half-hour video offering multiple perspectives on the work. Read an excerpt from The Odyssey and find dozens of rich and varied...
Encyclopedia Mythica
Encyclopedia Mythica: Greek People (Mythological)
Featuring the heroes, heroines, and mythical creatures from Greek legend, this site offers information on hundreds of characters, as well as etymology, pronunciation, pictures, and more.
University of Florida
Baldwin Library: Odysseus
A scanned copy of the 1898 publication of Odysseus by Mary Elizabeth Burt, a fiction book for children.
TED Talks
Ted: Ted Ed: The Science Behind the Myth: Homer's "Odyssey"
Matt Kaplan explains why there might be more reality behind Homer's "Odyssey" than many realize. [4:31]
The English Teacher
The English Teacher: The Odyssey Student Questions
Examples of honors student questions about themes and characters in "The Odyssey." The way you might respond to them can be used in creating your lesson plan.
Varsity Tutors
Varsity Tutors: Web English Teacher: Homer Lesson Plans
Contains a number of lesson plans for Homer's "The Iliad" and "The Odyssey."
Other
Odysseus' Journey
The Odyssey by Homer tells the story of the hero Odysseus' journey from Troy to Ithaca. The trip should have taken a few weeks but instead lasted more than ten years. Follow the famed journey on this map of locations in Homer's Odyssey.
PBS
A Tale for All Ages: The Odyssey
This PBS site features a note on the popularity of Robert Fagles's translation of Homer's Odyssey.
Greek Gods
Greek Gods: Greek Heroes: Odysseus
This site focuses on Odysseus including his ancestry, his participation in the Trojan War, his ten-year journey at sea, and pictures and myths about him
Mythweb
Mythweb: Greek Heroes
Read the heroic tales of Jason, Hercules, Bellerophon, Theseus, and Odysseus. Each story is an illustrated slide show. (Some are even animated!)
Wikimedia
Wikipedia: Odysseus
Detailed encyclopedia article for Odysseus, known for his guile and resourcefulness, the hero of Homer's Odyssey, and a major character in the Iliad. He is most famous for the ten years it took him to return home from the Trojan War.
CommonLit
Common Lit: Book Pairings: "The Odyssey" by Homer
Selected (6) reading passages (grades 8-11) to pair with the epic poem "The Odyssey" by Homer. Odysseus, an ancient Greek war hero and leader of Ithaca, embarks on a twenty-year long return to his homeland after the fall of Troy. It is...
University of Oxford (UK)
Beazley Archive: Odysseus
Illustrated dictionary entry for Greek hero Odysseus, the heroin of Homer's Odyssey. Recounts the adventures Odysseus encounters on his travel home. Identifies key people and places involved in his journey.
Encyclopedia Mythica
Encyclopedia Mythica: Helen
Helen's background information is included as well as hypertext links to her relatives and others. Links are also available to a genealogical table and to a bibliography.
Encyclopedia Mythica
Encyclopedia Mythica: Odysseus
This encyclopedia entry for the main character in Homer's Odyssey, Odysseus, includes hypertext links to additional encyclopedia entries on related topics.
Shmoop University
Shmoop: The Iliad
Written in the 8th century B.C. this is one of the earliest writings of European literature. This informative site looks at the characters and important themes and quotations in this early work.