Rules for Epic Poetry Intro to The Odyssey

Epic Poem a LONG narrative poem (it tells a story) on a great and serious subject that - is told in an elevated, formal style (fancy words, very serious, almost ceremonial) - has a heroic or quasi-divine character on whose actions depend the fate of something huge like a nation or the whole human race or the universe.

► Traditional epics developed from the Oral Tradition, which means historical and legendary tales passed down through generations of story-telling. ► They are often during a period of expansion and warfare. ► Classical Epic poems: the Illiad, the Odyssey; Anglo-Saxon epic: Beowulf ► Later ones written in deliberate imitation of those above: Virgil’s Aeneid, Milton’s Paradise Lost

There are all sorts of rules/conventions these types of tales must follow: ► hero has to be of great national or cosmic importance. In the Greek ones, he is usually related to the gods somehow (Achilles, Aeneas) ► the setting must be VAST. So the hero will often go on a long journey that takes years, during which he visits many different lands. ► There must be superhuman deeds in battle (Achilles, Odysseus, Beowulf) ► Gods and/or supernatural folks take an active interest or even participate and offer advice

All of the previous traits are part of the archetypal hero’s journey, which has several stages. The most important ones for our purpose: the hero has to have a “descent into darkness,” which in the Greek Tales usually means a trip to the Underworld; he also must grow as a character during this journey and return home changed. Odysseus learns from his adventures. He had to experience all these things to become who he is. As Tennyson puts Odysseus’ thoughts, “Much have I seen and known…and drunk delight of battle with my peers, far on the ringing plains of windy Troy. I am a part of all that I have met;”

Rules for the Writing Style ► narrator begins with an invocation to the muse. He’s asking for inspiration so he can tell his tale better. There are 9 muses; one of them (Calliope) is the muse of epic poetry. ► story beings in medias res, in the middle of the action, and then the narrative has flashbacks to catch up to where you began, and then it moves on from there.

Other Elements of Style That You’ll Notice: ► Epics reflect the important conventions of their time, like the importance of the patriarchal lineage (who’s your daddy?) or xenia, Greek hospitality ► Because these stories were performed, there are lots of repetitive clues and wordplay to keep the characters straight, like Homeric Epithets (see back of Bk I guide)