Epic A long narrative poem that tells of the adventures of a hero who embodies the values of a particular culture

Epic Characteristics Begins in medias res Teaches virtues Two types: war (Iliad) and long journey (Odyssey) Supernatural forces Covers vast setting Performed live and orally (illiterate people) Performed over a period of days (soap opera) Begins in medias res Teaches virtues Two types: war (Iliad) and long journey (Odyssey) Supernatural forces Covers vast setting Performed live and orally (illiterate people) Performed over a period of days (soap opera)

The Epic Hero… Excels in skill, strength, and courage Succeeds in war and adventure Values honor and glory Usually has a guide Excels in skill, strength, and courage Succeeds in war and adventure Values honor and glory Usually has a guide

The Epic Hero…  Battles demons and monsters  Is generous to his followers but ruthless to his enemies  Is a man of action  Accepts challenges and sometimes invites problems  Battles demons and monsters  Is generous to his followers but ruthless to his enemies  Is a man of action  Accepts challenges and sometimes invites problems

The Epic Hero… Sometimes makes rash decisions and takes unnecessary risks Meets monsters and temptations Encounters women who tempt him

The Epic Hero…  Descends into darkness (often the underworld)  Achieves his goal  Descends into darkness (often the underworld)  Achieves his goal

The Story The Odyssey tells the story of an epic hero’s journey home from the Trojan War. His journey home takes over 10 years. The hero Odysseus, (a.k.a. Ulysses), learns many lessons along the way.

Greek Values 1.The role and importance of Fate Greeks believed they were not ultimately in charge of their own destiny.

2. Loyalty – especially from women (faithfulness), and to your friends 3. Cleverness – a hero must be both physically and mentally strong 4. Love for home and family 5. Kindness to strangers – hospitality; you never know who that “stranger” might really be!

6. MOST IMPORTANT: Respect for the gods To a Greek, the worst “sin” you could commit would be the sin of HUBRIS. Hubris is pride; hubris is when you think yourself equal to, or greater than, the gods. Big mistake!

Terms to Know: Hubris –False pride; bad pride Homeric Simile –A long drawn-out comparison between everyday and heroic events Myth –A story that explains a natural event using supernatural elements Epic –A long narrative poem that tells of the adventures of a hero who embodies the values of their culture Epithet –An adjective or group of words used to describe a person, place, or thing

Terms, contd. Personification –Giving human qualities to something non-human Foreshadowing Rhapsode/minstrel –A storyteller who traveled around, telling stories of heroes, gods, and goddesses

The Hero’s Journey

 Begins with the “Rite of Passage,” “Separation,” or “Call”  Reason hero must leave one world and enter another  The Threshold: First encounter with unknown world (has helper)  Begins with the “Rite of Passage,” “Separation,” or “Call”  Reason hero must leave one world and enter another  The Threshold: First encounter with unknown world (has helper)

Initiation and Transformation  The Challenges (usually symbolic)  The Abyss (hero’s greatest challenge, usually into darkness)  The Transformation and Revelation(how the hero changes due to challenges)  The Revelation

The Return to the Known World  The Atonement (the gift or knowledge he will bring back to his homeland)  The Return (when the hero returns with this gift, what is his return like? How does he change his society or restore order?)  The Atonement (the gift or knowledge he will bring back to his homeland)  The Return (when the hero returns with this gift, what is his return like? How does he change his society or restore order?)