1. English I 3 rd Six Weeks 2012

2. The Epic An epic is a long narrative poem that relates the great deeds of a larger-than-life hero who embodies the values of a particular society. Examples of Epics The Illiad Beowulf The Aeneid The Epic of Gilgamesh Epics often… Concern eternal human problems such as the conflict between GOOD and EVIL Written or told on a grand scale and often in ceremonial style

3. 1. Folk Epic- oral compositions passed on from storyteller to storyteller and has changed over time. Ex. – Gilgamesh, Beowulf, the Iliad, and the Odyssey 2. Literary Epic- written compositions that are unchanged over time. Ex. - Aeneid and Paradise Lost

4. There are five main characteristics of an epic.  The hero is a great leader who is identified strongly with a particular people or society.  The setting is broad and often includes supernatural realms, especially the land of the dead.  The hero does great deeds in battle or undertakes an extraordinary journey or quest.  Sometimes gods or other supernatural or fantastic beings take part in the action.  The story is told in heightened language.

5. Shared characteristics of epics writers drew upon to establish the epic quality of their poems. Convention #1 There is an INVOCATION or formal plea for aid/help. This plea is usually to a deity or some other spiritual power. Convention #2 The action begins IN MEDIA RES … literally meaning “in the middle of things” Convention #3 The epic begins in media res and then flashes back to events that took place before the narrator’s current time setting

6. Convention #4 Epic Similes (a.k.a. Homeric simile)- elaborately extended comparisons relating heroic events to simple, everyday events using like, as, so, and just as. Convention #5 Epithet: a descriptive phrase that presents a particular trait of a person or thing. It can be a quick aid to characterization. Ex: Odysseus is a “raider of cities.” Odysseus is “a man skilled in all ways of contending.”

7. An Epic involves a long journey, full of complications, such as Strange creatures Divine intervention Large-scale events Treacherous weather Epic settings Includes fantastic or exotic lands Involves more than one nation

8. Epic poetry reflects such universal concerns as Courage The fate of a nation A homecoming Beauty Loyalty Life and death

9. All epics include archetypes – characters, situations, and images that are recognizable in many times and cultures. Examples of archetypes Sea monster Wicked temptress Buried treasure Suitors’ contest Loyal servant Epic hero

11. The epic hero is a “LARGER THAN LIFE PERSON” who embodies the highest ideals of his culture In “Gilgamesh”, the epic hero Gilgamesh is considered larger-than-life and embodies LOYALTY, VALOR/ COURAGE, SENSE OF JUSTICE, DIGNITY, PERSISTENCE, and many other traits of his culture and time period. The epic hero usually undertakes a QUEST/ JOURNEY to achieve something of great value to themselves or society Epic heroes “LIVE ON AFTER DEATH”…meaning they are forever remembered by those who live after them…achieving a type of IMMORTALITY Not a “Superman” with magical powers, but a “REGULAR” human (sometimes part god/part human) whose aspirations and accomplishments set him/her apart

12. Overcomes great obstacles/opponents but maintains HUMANITY Epic hero experiences typical HUMAN EMOTIONS/ FEELINGS, yet is able to master and control these human traits to a greater degree than a typical person. It is often necessary for the epic hero to connect/make contact with “LESSER” humans in order to succeed

14. According to ancient accounts, he lived between 900 and 700 B.C.E., possibly on the island of Chios in the eastern Aegean Sea. He was mostly blind. Revered as the greatest of the ancient Greek epic poets. Described as the teacher of Greece. Works attributed to Homer The Illiad – epic poem about the Trojan War. The Odyssey – epic poem following Odysseus, a king of Ithaca, on his journey home after the Trojan War. These works provided models in persuasive speaking and writing that were emulated throughout the ancient and medieval Greek world.

15. Sequel to The Illiad, an epic poem following the length of the Trojan War. Is considered the second oldest extant work of Western Literature. The Illiad is the oldest. Centers on the Greek hero Odysseus (Roman: Ulysses) and his journey home after the fall of Troy. It takes Odysseus ten years to reach his home island of Ithaca after fighting for ten years in the Trojan War. In his absence, it is assumed he has died, and his wife Penelope and son Telemachus must deal with a group of unruly suitors who wish to marry Penelope.