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Odyssey by Homer

General Characteristics o f an Epic. Odyssey by Homer. Originally intended to be sung or recited to music. Written down after centuries of oral transmission. Deities and other supernatural agencies are often involved in human affairs.

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Odyssey by Homer

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  1. General Characteristics of an Epic Odyssey by Homer

  2. Originally intended to be sung or recited to music

  3. Written down after centuries of oral transmission

  4. Deities and other supernatural agencies are often involved in human affairs

  5. An epic reflects the values of the society from which they originate

  6. Generated by periods of upheaval, of struggle and adventure

  7. Often, the principal characters are larger-than-life demigods (descendants of deities )or heroes of immense stature and strength

  8. Single combat is a common plot devise

  9. The subject of the poem is announced in the opening lines, in an invocation (prayer) to the Muse in which the poet calls for divine assistance to tell his tales.

  10. The true epic is long (the Iliad and Odyssey each contain 24 books) and dignified. (courtly address and epithet are common)

  11. Geographical settings are wide: the action of the Odyssey occurs across all of the known world of the Greeks over a 20 year period.

  12. What is an epic? • An Epic is a long narrative poem • Tells about the adventures of a hero • Epics usually embody the values of the cultures for which they are written • The Iliad and the Odyssey were used in schools to teach Greek virtues. • Values: honor, bravery, hospitality, intelligence, respect for the gods, loyalty to home and family • Major faults: disrespect for the gods, lack of hospitality, excessive pride—”HURBIS” • Iliad is the primary model for epic of war • Odyssey is the primary model for epic of the long journey

  13. Characteristics of the Epic Long, narrative poems that relate the deeds of an epic hero also: • Incorporates myth, legend, folk tale, and history • Reflects the values of the society from which they originate • Tone is usually grand • Heroes and adventures appear larger than life

  14. More Characteristics of an Epic • Begins in medias res (Latin for “it begins in the middle of things”), then flashes back to explain action leading up to that point • Begins with an invocation or prayer to a god or gods • Always begins with a statement of subject and theme • Contains many epithets • Contains long, formal speeches by many characters

  15. Elements of Epic Style

  16. Repetition: directions and reports are repeated, later incidents seem to echo earlier incidents; stockepithet–is a formulaic phrase (often a compound adjective) used habitually to characterize a person or thing (for example, "blood-red sky" and "wine-dark sea” & “horse-taming Hector.” Why use them? t is convenient to have a stockpile of metrically fitting phrases to add to a name) and because of the oral transmission of the poems; they are mnemonic aids to the poet and the audience alike. Names are symbolic: Odysseus = “Man of Woe,” for he both gives and receives suffering.

  17. Characters are commonly revealed in dialogue. Speeches are often followed by such phrases as “thus he spoke” to emphasize that the words are those of a character and not of the narrator.

  18. Elevated, literary language is the norm- even servants speak in dignified verse.

  19. Long, formal speeches such as challenges, inset narratives, flashbacks, and points of debate occur within the midst of the action

  20. Patronymics Calling the son by the father’s name. “I am Laertes’ son.” Odysseus.

  21. Catalogues Lengthy lists, particularly of leaders and their military troops

  22. Epics include: • A chief god’s balancing the scales of fate. • A long and arduous journey for the hero • Weapons of supernatural origin • A descent into the Underworld

  23. The poet opens in the midst of the • action (“in medias res”) rather than • at the beginning.

  24. Characteristics of the Epic Hero

  25. 1. The hero possesses distinctive weapons of great size and power, often heirlooms or presents from the gods.

  26. 2. The hero is introduced in the midst of turmoil, at a point well into the story, action will be recounted in flashbacks. 3. The hero is not only a warrior and a leader, but also a polished speaker.

  27. 4. The hero must undertake a long, perilous journey, often involving a descent into the Underworld, which tests his endurance, courage, and cunning. 5. Whatever values his race most prizes, the epic hero as a cultural exemplar possesses in abundance. “Resourceful Odysseus”

  28. 6. The hero has a group of noble followers. Although his fellows may be great warriors the hero undertakes a task that no one else dare attempt.

  29. 7. The hero establishes his nobility through single combat . He gains great honor by challenging heroes like himself or adversaries of superhuman power.

  30. 8. The two epic adversaries, the hero and his antagonist, meet at the climax which must be delayed as long as possible to sustain maximum interest.

  31. 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.

  32. 10. The hero may encounter a divine or supernatural force that he must use strength, cunning, and divine assistance to overcome.

  33. The end

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