1. The Iliad

2. Invocation:
Explain how the following passage meets the criteria of invocation in an epic: “Goddess, sing me the anger, of Achilles, Peleus’ son, that fatal anger that brought countless sorrows on the Greeks, and sent many valiant souls of warriors down to Hades, leaving their bodies as spoil for dogs and carrion birds: for thus was the will of Zeus brought to fulfilment. Sing of it from the moment when Agamemnon, Atreus’ son, that king of men, parted in wrath from noble Achilles.”

3. Epic Similes
“Like powerful stallions sweeping round the post for trophies, galloping full stretch with some fine prize at stake, a tripod, say, or woman offered up at funeral games” (Book 22; 87-89). Action taking place: Achilles and Hector as they race around the city of Priam, circling each other quick and fierce Explanation of Simile: (Explain the comparison that is taking place and how Hector and Achilles embody the thing that they are being compared to.)

4. Epic Simile
“‘Curse you, Hector, and don’t talk of oaths to me. Lions and men make no compacts, nor are wolves and lambs in sympathy: they are opposed, to the end.”
Action Taking Place:
Explanation of Simile:

5. Epic Similes
“As a snake in the hills, guarding his hole, awaits a man- bloated with poison, deadly hatred seething inside him, glances flashing fire as he coils round his lair” (Book 22; 5-7) Action Taking Place: Achilles riding to Troy with great anger and hatred to slay Hector for killing Achilles cousin Patroclus. Explanation of Simile: Achilles is being compared to a snake. His hatred for Hector fills him like a snakes venom.

6. Epic Simile in Epic of Gilgamesh
“Humbaba’s mouth is fire; his roar the floodwater; his breath is death.” Action taking place: A description of the beast Humbaba before Gilgamesh attacks him Explanation of Simile:

7. With a partner, create an epic simile for each of the action scenes that we will watch. There will be four scenes, thus you must have four similes. Each group must share their example, and we will copy down the best examples into our notes.

8. Scene 1: Achilles Igniting the Battle on the Beach

9. Scene 2: Scarlett Johansson “Black Widow” Fight Scene

10. Scene 3: Elsa’s Battle in Frozen