1. The Epic Notes of Epic Conventions, Homer, The Iliad, and The Odyssey

2. Characteristics of the Epic zMost epics contain common characteristics, such as a legendary hero, who makes long journeys, experiences dangers, and overcomes obstacles in the pursuit of a specific quest.

3. THE Epic Hero and His Quest zThe epic contains a male hero of noble birth or legendary importance. He may have one parent, who is a god or possess unusual powers at a young age. zThe hero’s character traits reflect important ideals of his society. zThe hero experiences many perilous adventures and performs courageous acts.

4. General Characteristics of the Epic Hero continued zThe hero’s actions usually determine the fate of his people, who may be in danger. zOften, during the progress of the story, the hero delivers long, formal speeches, often called dramatic monologues. zThe hero usually undergoes a quest, called the “epic quest” in search of specific goal.

5. Epithet zAdjective or descriptive phrase that is regularly used to characterize a person, place, or thing. y“America the Beautiful” y“Honest Abe”

6. The Definition of an Epic zAn epic is a long narrative poem that relates the tale of a larger-than-life hero, who embodies the values of a particular society. zEpics were usually begun in the oral tradition and were conveyed first by storytellers, and later written down.

7. Epic Simile zExtended similes (comparisons!) yAlso known as Homeric similes. “His hands were like paws, his hair like a great mane and his body was covered with smooth sun bleached hairs that were like the coat of an African lion." The simile here is saying that a person is like a lion in appearance, but more extended than saying that "he was like a lion”.

8. Allusion zReference to a statement, a person, a place, or an event from literature, history, religion, mythology, politics, sports, science, or pop culture.

9. Imagery zLanguage that appeals to any of your senses!

10. Mood zThe atmosphere or feeling created by the moment/scene/setting/etc.

11. Metaphor zFigure of speech that makes a comparison between two unlike things—not using like, as, or resembles

12. Tone zAttitude a writer takes toward the audience, subject, or a character.

13. Conflict: Struggle or clash zInternal: Takes place within a character’s own mind zExternal: Character struggles against outside force

14. Theme zCentral idea or message of a work of literature

15. Personification zA nonhuman thing or quality is talked about as if it were human.

16. Flashback zScene that interrupts the present action of the plot to flash backward and tell what happened at an earlier time

17. Foreshadowing zUse of clues to hint at events that will occur later in a plot.

18. Elements of the Epic Plot zThe epic has a vast setting in the ancient world. zThe poetry of the epic has formal tone and diction. zThe plot involves intervention of the gods and interaction with supernatural beings.

19. Elements of the Plot continued zThe plot usually involves an exile or dangerous journeys in foreign lands. zThe epic reflects timeless values of the society. zThe epic deals with universal themes (good vs. evil or man against fate.)

20. Classical Greek Epics The Greek epics began as an oral tradition, but by about 750 B.C., Homer is attributed with composing the Iliad and the Odyssey.

21. Epic Conventions zMany epics share standard characteristics and formulas known as epic conventions including: yAn invocation to the muse, often the goddess of poetry, to inspire the poet. yThe action begins in medias res,or the middle of things, rather than the actual beginning of the story.

22. Epic Conventions zMany epics share standard characteristics and formulas known as epic conventions including: yAn invocation to the muse, often the goddess of poetry, to inspire the poet. yThe action begins in medias res,or the middle of things, rather than the actual beginning of the story.

23. Epic Conventions continued zThe epic contains “flashbacks” to events that occurred earlier in the story. zThe epic contains “foreshadowing” or hints of what will happen some time in the future. zThe epic contains epic similes or elaborate comparisons relating heroic events to simple everyday language. zThe epic contains a certain metrical structure to aid in memorization of the original oral epics.

24. Background Info. On Homer zNothing is really known about the author, except his name zGreeks believed he was blind zWrote two great epics-- The Iliad and The Odyssey

25. The Epics zHomer’s epic stories were not intended for reading but for oral recitation zThese epics date long before the Greek literacy, the late 8th Century

26. The Iliad zThe Iliad is probably the first of the two epics. zIts subject is war; its characters are men in battle and women whose fate depends on the outcome. The war is fought by the Greeks against the Trojans for the recovery of Helen

27. Hero of the Iliad zThe Greek warrior Achilles is the hero of the Iliad. zAchilles has an unsual birth, for his mother is the goddess, Thetis, and his father is a mortal. zAchilles has strength, courage, and endurance, but his main physical weakness is his heel, which is vulnerable to attack.

28. Other Characteristics of Achilles zAchilles’ major conflict is with the arrogant Agamemnon, who aggravates a priest from Troy whose daughter he has claimed as a prize of battle. zAchilles’ main character flaw is his stubbornness and arrogance, which leads to problems with other Greek leaders and the gods.

29. Homer’s Iliad zIn the Iliad, the blind poet, Homer wrote down the tales of the Trojan War, which was started when Paris of Troy abducted Helen, the wife of Menelaus of Greece.

30. The Story of the Conquest of Troy zNear the end of the Iliad, the Greeks trick the Trojans into allowing their entrance to the city. zAfter pretending to leave Troy, they place soldiers inside the famous Trojan horse, which is then dragged into the city. zThis trick led to the total destruction of Troy.

31. Homer’s Odyssey zThe story of the Odyssey takes place after the destruction of Troy. zOdysseus undergoes many adventures during his long journey back to Greece.

32. The Odyssey zThe Odyssey is concerned with the peace that followed the war and in particular the heroes who survived. Its subject is the long return of one of the heroes, Odysseus of Ithaca. His way back is a ten year perilous journey.

33. The Trials zThe trials of the journey home are not just physical obstacles to his return, they are also temptations. zOdysseus is tempted time after time to forget his identity.

34. Map of Ancient Greece

35. The End The Elements of the Classical Epic