1. I Know My Epic Characteristics

2. Call to the Muse The poet asks for divine inspiration from the Muses to help him tell his story “Tell me the tale, Muse, of that man of many changes, . . .”

3. In Medias Res The action of the epic begins in the middle of the story Book 1 of The Odyssey is about Telemachus, a young man, going in search of his father who has never returned from the Trojan War

4. Flashback An interruption of the story to recall an incident that happened earlier Odysseus tells King Alcinous about his adventures after the Trojan War while trying to return to Ithaca

5. Catalogs A listing of a character’s ancestors . . . when a character’s background is given “I am Odysseus, great Laertes’ son, . . .”

6. Hospitality Code The custom of taking care of guests and warriors Alcinous takes care of Odysseus, giving him food and a place to stay

7. Boasting The hero brags about past accomplishments to gain respect “If, O Cyclops, a mortal man shall ever ask you how it befell your eye was blinded so hideously answer thus: it was Odysseus blinded you . . .”

8. Divine Intervention The gods get involved in human affairs Athena changes Odysseus into a beggar

9. Visit to Hades The hero takes a trip to the underworld Odysseus travels to the Land of the Dead to talk to a blind prophet

10. Stock Phrase Overused, descriptive phrases that help the poet memorize his work “And when the dawn came, rosy-fingered”

11. Exaggeration The hero’s abilities are larger than life, exaggerated to epic proportions Only Odysseus himself can string his hunting bow

12. Epithets Descriptive phrases that characterize a person “Odysseus, taker of Troy”

13. Epic Hero Traits • Strength, battle skills • Courage, bravery • Authoritative, leadership • Loyalty, trustworthy • Determination, persistence, dedication • Intelligence, wisdom, cleverness