1. INTRODUCTION to EPIC POETRY

2. An epic poem has …  a hero who embodies national, cultural, or religious ideals  a hero upon whose actions depends the fate of his people  a course of action in which the hero performs great and difficult deeds

3. An epic poem has …  a recognition of -- or intercession by -- divine or supernatural powers  a concern with eternal human problems  a dignified and elaborate poetic style

4. Important “ Primary ” Epics  Iliad* (Greek) / Aeneid (Latin)  Odyssey (Greek) / Ulysses (Latin)  Gilgamesh (Babylonian)  Exodus (Hebrew)  Beowulf * (Anglo-Saxon)

5. What do these primary epics have in common?  Each began as part of a culture’s oral tradition  ORAL TRADITION socio-/cultural values transferred generation-to- generation by traveling poets/bards who sang songs about cultural heroes and values  POETRY because rhyme/meter is easier to memorize and more stable as passed-on

7. What is Epic Poetry?  Long narrative poem  Written in an elevated/formal style  Celebrates the deed of a legendary hero or god

8. The Iliad  “written” by Homer around ( c.) 720 B.C.  Homer did not invent the story, but transcribed it into its longest-lasting form  All versions we read are translated from ancient Greek language – Translations can vary greatly  Called Iliad because “Ilium” was the Greek name for Troy – where the war took place. “Iliad” = “about Ilium”

9. The Trojan War (c. 1250 B.C.) Causes Nuclear weapons? No! Treaty violations? No! Imperial aggression? No! Trade dispute? No! A WOMAN!

10. The Trojan War 1184 BC/ 800 BC (written)  Main topic of The Iliad by Homer and latter The Aeneid by Virgil  Achaeans vs. Trojans (10 yrs.)  Helen of Troy abducted by Paris  Achilles obtains from war in 10th yr. kills Hector the Trojan Prince  Wooden horse  City captured Helen returned to Menelaus

11. Epic of Gilgamesh 2500 BC  11 Clay Tablets (story)  12th Tells of his ruling the netherworld  Most important epic poem in human history  Various adventures of hero-king searching for immortality  An account of the flood  Characters  Gilgamesh (2/3 god & 1/3 human)  Enkidu (wild man)

12. The Odyssey 800 BC  Tale of Odysseus  10 yrs. in Trojan War  10 yrs. to get home  Presumed dead wife Penelope fighting off suitors  Consists of 24 books More about this one later…

13. Literary Devices  Alliteration-- repetition of of similar sounds especially initial consonant or stressed syllable (eg. Peter Piper picked a pair of pickled peppers])  Metaphor- comparison between two similar things  Simile- Comparison using “like or as”

14. Literary Devices Cont.  Epithet- brief phrase characterizes a person place or thing (eg. “the Lord of all Life”, “the Rule of glory,” “the Lord of heaven and earth”)  Kenning- two-word metaphorical name for something (eg. “sea- road” for ocean [30, line 239])

15. Literary Elements  Internal Conflict- Struggle that takes place within the mind of a character who is torn between opposing feelings and desires  External Conflict- When a character struggles against some outside force… Person, nature, society, or fate.

16. Journal Life is full of conflicts. For each of the types of conflict write a paragraph that gives details about your personal experience.

17. Villians Journal Entry: Make a chart like the one below and fill it in with examples from today’s villains. Villainous Deeds EnemiesPowers/ Abilities Plots

18. Heroes Journal Entry: Make a chart like the one below and fill it in with examples from today’s heroes. Heroic Deeds EnemiesPowers/ Abilities Virtues