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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
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The Epic, The Epic Hero, and The Odyssey English I 3rd 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 • The Epic of Gilgamesh • Epics often… • Concern eternal human problems such as the conflict between GOOD and EVIL • Written or told on a grand scale and often in ceremonial style
Two Types of Epics • Folk Epic-oral compositions passed on from storyteller to storyteller and has changed over time. • Ex. – Gilgamesh, Beowulf, the Iliad, and the Odyssey • Literary Epic-written compositions that are unchanged over time. • Ex. -Aeneidand Paradise Lost
Characteristics of an Epic • 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.
Epic Conventions • Shared characteristics of epics writers drew upon to establish the epic quality of their poems. • Convention #1 • There 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 backto events that took place before the narrator’s current time setting
Epic Conventions (continued) • Convention #4 • Epic Similes (a.k.a. Homeric simile)- elaborately extended comparisons relating heroic events to simple, everyday events using like, as, so, and just as. • Convention #5 • Epithet: 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 Plot & Setting • An Epic involves a long journey, full of complications, such as • Strange creatures • Divine intervention • Large-scale events • Treacherous weather • Epic settings • Includes fantastic or exotic lands • Involves more than one nation
Epic Themes • Epic poetry reflects such universal concerns as • Courage • The fate of a nation • A homecoming • Beauty • Loyalty • Life and death
Archetypes • All epics include archetypes – characters, situations, and images that are recognizable in many times and cultures. • Examples of archetypes • Sea monster • Wicked temptress • Buried treasure • Suitors’ contest • Loyal servant • Epic hero
Characteristics of an 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-lifeand 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/ JOURNEYto 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 (cont.) • 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” humansin order to succeed
Who was Homer? • 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.
The Odyssey • 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 Illiadis 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.
