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The Epic, The Epic Hero, and The Odyssey. English I 3 rd Six Weeks 2012. Background. The Epic An epic is a long narrative poem that relates the great deeds of a larger-than-life hero who embodies the values of a particular society. Examples of Epics The Illiad Beowulf The Aeneid - PowerPoint PPT Presentation
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English I3rd Six Weeks
2012
The Epic, The Epic Hero, and The Odyssey
The EpicAn epic is a long narrative poem that relates the great deeds of a larger-
than-life hero who embodies the values of a particular society.Examples of Epics
The IlliadBeowulfThe AeneidThe Epic of Gilgamesh
Epics often…Concern eternal human problems such as the conflict between GOOD and
EVILWritten or told on a grand scale and often in ceremonial
style
Background
1. Folk Epic- oral compositions passed on from storyteller to storyteller and has changed over time.
Ex. – Gilgamesh, Beowulf, the Iliad, and the Odyssey
2. Literary Epic- written compositions that are unchanged over time.
Ex. -Aeneid and Paradise Lost
Two Types of Epics
There are five main characteristics of an epic. The hero is a great leader who is identified strongly with a
particular people or society.The setting is broad and often includes supernatural realms,
especially the land of the dead.The hero does great deeds in battle or undertakes an
extraordinary journey or quest.Sometimes gods or other supernatural or fantastic beings
take part in the action.The story is told in heightened language.
Characteristics of an Epic
Shared characteristics of epics writers drew upon to establish the epic quality of their poems.
Convention #1There is an INVOCATION or formal plea for aid/help.This plea is usually to a deity or some other spiritual power.
Convention #2 The action begins IN MEDIA RES… literally meaning “in the middle of things”
Convention #3 The epic begins in media res and then flashes back to events that took
place before the narrator’s current time setting
Epic Conventions
Convention #4Epic Similes (a.k.a. Homeric simile)- elaborately
extended comparisons relating heroic events to simple, everyday events using like, as, so, and just as.
Convention #5Epithet: a descriptive phrase that presents a
particular trait of a person or thing. It can be a quick aid to characterization.Ex: Odysseus is a “raider of cities.”Odysseus is “a man skilled in all ways of
contending.”
Epic Conventions (continued)
An Epic involves a long journey, full of complications, such asStrange creaturesDivine interventionLarge-scale eventsTreacherous weather
Epic settingsIncludes fantastic or exotic landsInvolves more than one nation
Epic Plot & Setting
Epic poetry reflects such universal concerns asCourageThe fate of a nationA homecomingBeautyLoyaltyLife and death
Epic Themes
All epics include archetypes – characters, situations, and images that are recognizable in many times and cultures.
Examples of archetypesSea monsterWicked temptressBuried treasureSuitors’ contestLoyal servantEpic hero
Archetypes
The Epic Hero
The epic hero is a “LARGER THAN LIFE PERSON” who embodies the highest ideals of his culture In “Gilgamesh”, the epic hero Gilgamesh is considered larger-than-life and
embodies LOYALTY, VALOR/ COURAGE, SENSE OF JUSTICE, DIGNITY, PERSISTENCE, and many other traits of his culture and time period.
The epic hero usually undertakes a QUEST/ JOURNEY to achieve something of great value to themselves or society
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 (sometimes part god/part human) whose aspirations and accomplishments set him/her apart
Characteristics of an Epic Hero
Overcomes great obstacles/opponents but maintains HUMANITY
Epic hero experiences typical HUMAN EMOTIONS/ FEELINGS, yet is able to master and control these human traits to a greater degree than a typical person.
It is often necessary for the epic hero to connect/make contact with “LESSER” humans in order to succeed
Characteristics of an Epic Hero (cont.)
Homer and The Odyssey
According to ancient accounts, he lived between 900 and 700 B.C.E., possibly on the island of Chios in the eastern Aegean Sea. He was mostly blind.
Revered as the greatest of the ancient Greek epic poets. Described as the teacher of Greece. Works attributed to Homer
The Illiad – epic poem about the Trojan War. The Odyssey – epic poem following Odysseus, a king of
Ithaca, on his journey home after the Trojan War. These works provided models in persuasive speaking
and writing that were emulated throughout the ancient and medieval Greek world.
Who was Homer?
Sequel to The Illiad, an epic poem following the length of the Trojan War.
Is considered the second oldest extant work of Western Literature.The Illiad is the oldest.
Centers on the Greek hero Odysseus (Roman: Ulysses) and his journey home after the fall of Troy.
It takes Odysseus ten years to reach his home island of Ithaca after fighting for ten years in the Trojan War.
In his absence, it is assumed he has died, and his wife Penelope and son Telemachus must deal with a group of unruly suitors who wish to marry Penelope.
The Odyssey
Opening page of The Odyssey