Odyssey Epic Literary Terms English I Pre-AP

Epics Long narrative poems that tell of the adventures of heroes who embody the values of their civilization.

Epic Conventions The work begins in medias res (in the middle of things)  Odysseus’s story begins in the middle of his journey

Epic Conventions The poem will open with an invocation of the muse.  Muse, speak to me now of that resourceful man who wandered far and wide after ravaging the sacred citadel of Troy.

Main character is a physically impressive hero of national or historical importance.  Odysseus fought for ten years in the Trojan War and devised the idea of the Trojan horse. Epic Conventions

Setting is vast in scope, including much of the physical world and, at times, the land of the dead.  Odysseus’ travels take him throughout the Mediterranean World. Epic Conventions

The action consists of deeds of great valor or requiring superhuman courage.  In The Odyssey, Odysseus must overcome many challenges. Epic Conventions

There is evidence of supernatural forces at work.  In the Odyssey, the hero encounters gods, goddesses, sorceresses, monsters, giants, and the list goes on. Epic Conventions

The author uses a style of sustained elevation.  When the sun had left the splendid sea and risen up into an all-bronze heaven, giving light to gods and mortal men and grain to farmers’ fields, the ship and crew reached Pylos, a well-built city ruled by Nestor. Epic Conventions

At some point in an epic there will be a journey to the underworld Epic Conventions

Epics will be rooted in a specific culture and society.  The Odyssey, for example, is heavily rooted in Greek society and culture. Epic Conventions

the repetition of the same phrase over and over in a story to describe a character or object; the phrase stresses a particular quality of what is being described  ex. Odysseus is frequently referred to as “the man of twists and turns.” Epithet

a long, elaborate simile that goes on for a number of lines; often compares heroic or epic events to understandable and everyday things  Ex. She brushed [the arrow] away from his skin as lightly as when a mother / Brushes a fly away from her child who is lying in sweet sleep. Epic Simile

an interruption in the narration to elaborate on what aspect of what is being talked about  ex. If Homer mentions a gift of wine, he will digress and describe both the history of the gift and the history of the giver. Narrative Drift

Epic Heroes embody the important morals, values, and virtues of the society of which they are a product.

The epic hero is a larger than life person who embodies the highest ideals of his culture Epic Hero Characteristics

The epic hero usually undertakes a quest/journey to achieve something of great value to themselves or society

Epic Hero Characteristics 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 whose aspirations and accomplishment s set him/her apart Epic Hero Characteristics

The epic hero overcomes great obstacles/opponents but maintains his/her humanity

Epic hero experiences typical human emotions, yet is able to master and control these human traits to a greater degree than a typical person Epic Hero Characteristics

It is often necessary for the epic hero to connect/make contact with “lesser” humans in order to succeed Epic Hero Characteristics