Download What are the characteristics of an epic poem?

What is an epic?
1. A long narrative poem on a great
and serious subject
2. Narrated in an elevated style, and
centered on a heroic or quasi-divine
figure on whose actions depends the
fate of a tribe, a nation, or the
human race.
3. The hero is a
figure of great
national or even
cosmic importanceusually the ideal
man of his culture.
4. The action
consists of deeds of
valor or
superhuman
courage (especially
in battle).
What are the
characteristics
of an epic
poem?
There are nine
key
characteristics
of an Epic
Poem:
1. It opens
in medias res
(in the middle
of things).
2) The setting is
vast and it covers
many nations,
the under world
and the universe.
3) It usually
begins with
an invocation
to Muse.
4) It starts
with a
statement of
the theme.
5) The use of
Epithets.
A characterizing word or phrase
used in place of a name of a
person or thing.
6) It
includes
long lists.
7) It features
long and
formal
speeches.
8) It shows
divine
intervention
on human
affairs.
9) The
Heroes
embody the
values of
civilization.
What are the
characteristics of
an epic hero?
1. The hero is
introduced in the midst
of turmoil, at a point
well into the story; prior
action will be narrated
in flashbacks.
2. The hero is not only a
warrior and a leader, but
also a polished speaker
who can address councils
of chieftains or elders
with eloquence and
confidence.
3. The hero, often a
demi-god, possesses
distinctive weapons of
great size and power,
often heirlooms or
presents from the gods.
4. The hero must
undertake a long, perilous
journey, often involving a
descent into the
Underworld which tests
his endurance, courage,
and cunning.
5. Although his fellows may
be great warriors (like
Achilles, or group of noble
followers with whom he
grew up), he undertakes a
task that no one else dare
attempt.
6. The hero possesses
abundantly whatever
virtues his race most prizes.
He is a cultural example. His
key quality is often
emphasized by his stock
epithet: "Resourceful
Odysseus"
7. The hero gains honor,
not by slaying a lesser
mortal, but only by
challenging heroes like
himself or adversaries of
superhuman power.
8. The two great epic
adversaries, the hero and
his antagonist, meet at the
climax, which must be
delayed as long as possible
to sustain maximum
interest.
9. The hero's epic adversary
is often a "god-despiser,"
one who has more respect
for his own mental and
physical abilities than for
the power of the gods.
10. The hero may encounter a
numinous phenomenon (a place
or person having a divine or
supernatural force) such as a
haunted wood or enchanting
sorceress that he must use
strength, cunning, and divine
assistance to overcome.
Who is Homer?
Homer is the legendary poet
credited with writing the Iliad and
the Odyssey.
His works tell stories of heroes,
gods, and monsters and explore
themes of fate and destiny.
Did he really
exist?
 Scholars disagree about whether
or not Homer wrote the Iliad
and the Odyssey.
 Tradition says he was born in
western Asia Minor and was
blind.
If he existed, he may have been
the greatest in a long line of
Greek epic story tellers.
Timeline of Events:
1. Troy
2. Cicones
3. Lotus Eaters
4. Cyclopes
5. Aeolus and back
6. Laestrygonians
7. Circe
8. Tiresias, the Underworld, Hades
9. Back to Circe
10. The Sirens
11. Scylla and Charybdis
12. Thrinacia, Helios’ Cattle
13. Calypso
14. Phaecians, Nausicaa
15. Ithaca
http://maptal.es/tales/15
The Odyssey Quiz Word Bank:
Odysseus
Penelope
Hermes
Nausicaa
Trojan
Muse
Calypso
Athena
Poseidon
Antinoos
Mentor
Ithaca
Arete
Nestor
Orestes
Menelaus
Eurycleia
Helen
Eurimachus
Telemachus
Phaeacia
Laertes
Melantho