1. Notes
Mark Gibson

2. What Influenced Epic Poets?
Religion influences the first epic poets
Epic poems usually have a mythological or romantic theme based on the values taught to the poet during their early life
Epic poems were written from the need for an explanation of certain holes in a civilization’s religious beliefs or from the need for a role model for the people of a civilization to follow
(Epic Poetry | The Humanities Index )

3. What Epic Poems Influenced?
The religion as well as experiences of a poet influence the writing styles and substance of writing of that poet.
Romantic encounters as well as war influence the type of writing poets use.
Traumatic experiences also influence the content of epic poems.
(Lombardi, Esther)

4. Characteristics of Epic Poems
Opens in medias res
Vast settings
Invocation of a muse
Use of epithets
Long lists or narratives
Long and formal speeches
Divine intervention on human affairs
Main characters embody values and flaws of civilization
(Epic - Definition and Conventions )
(Epic Poetry | The Humanities Index )

5. Definition of Epic Poem
A lengthy, narrative poem usually concerning a serious subject with heroic deeds and events significant to a culture or nation.
(Epic Poetry)

6. Examples of Epic Poem The Epic of Gilgamesh (Sumerian)
The Iliad and the Odyssey – Homer (Greek)
Beowulf (Anglo-Saxon)
The Divine Comedy – Dante Aligheri (Italian)
The Aeneid - Virgil
(Epic Poetry | The Humanities Index )

7. Common themes of epic poems
Epic poems often have a romantic or mythological theme with gods often playing a major role in the story.
Epic poems often have a hero embark on a journey in which he or she must defeat a monster, which often is the embodiment of human flaws.
The hero also often must defeat one of his own flaws to give the reader a role model to help him or her overcome their own internal flaws.
(Epic - Definition and Conventions)

8. Where did most epic poems originate?
The oldest epic poems originated in ancient Asia as well as Rome and Greece.
Some of the newer, yet still primary, epic poems originated in England and Italy during the Medieval period.
(Epic Poetry | The Humanities Index )

9. How do epic poets hook and hold readers?
Epic poets hook and hold readers by telling exciting stories of heroic deeds and almost inhuman feats.
Epic poems are so intriguing that people base religions on some of the major aspects of certain epic poems.
(Definition and Conventions.)

10. How do epic poets persuade readers?
Epic poets persuade readers by using lengthy descriptions and long lists as well as vivid descriptions to really drive their point across to the reader.
(Definition and Conventions.)

11. What is the relationship between truth and fiction in epic poems?
Most of the events in epic poems are based on true events or recorded history but altered a little or exaggerated to provide entertainment.
(Gibson, Mark)

12. What truths are communicated best through epic poems?
The truth best communicated through epic poems is the presence of flaws and values within people. Many heroes of epic poems are the embodiment of human values but also have many of the flaws of humanity within them which are illustrated within the story.
(Definition and Conventions.)