2. Warm Up In today’s world what does Epic mean?
Define, using an example.

3. Epic
An epic is long narrative poem that recounts, in formal language, the exploits of a larger-than-life hero.
Epics can be viewed as way to tell history.
They existed when most people were illiterate.
Epics can be found in most cultures around the world.

4. Epic Examples (don’t copy)
Epic of Gilgamesh: Sumerian (presently Iraq).
El Cid: Spanish.
The Song of Roland: French.
The Oddyssey & Iliad: Greek.
TODAY’s Epic Heroes: Superman, Luke Skywalker….any others?

5. Epic Form Poetic lines w/regular meter and rhythm.
Main characters have heroic or superhuman qualities.
Gods or godlike beings intervene in the events.
Actions of a huge scale, involving fates of entire peoples.
Stories begin at a critical point.

6. Epic Literary Devices
Greek Epics use… Epithet: word or brief phrase to characterize a person, place or thing. Example: The goddess Athena is “gray-haired”. The sea is “wine-dark”. Beowulf uses… kennings: standardized comparisons. Example: A king is “ring-giver”. The sea is a “whale-road”. THEY BOTH MOLD IDEAS INTO PEOTIC FORMS.

7. Epic Hero Man, sorry ladies! High social status
Skill as warrior, quick wit, nobility of character
Fate affects the destiny of his people
Almost always defeats the enemy
Rarely modest, often boasting
Courage, Loyalty, Endurance/Strength

8. Responding and Thinking Critically, p21 Choose one questions, 75 words minimum
In your opinion, what are today’s epics? How do modern audiences differ from ancient ones in their responses to epics?
Identify three characteristics that we might expect today’s epic heroes to exhibit.
Which characteristics of the traditional epic hero might be difficult for readers today to accept?
How are epithets and kennings simlimar and different.