The Epic

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The Epic
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Introduction

• From Ancient Greece came oral epic poetry, which
  served as the raw material for Homers
  sophisticated epics, the Iliad and the Odyssey.
  These works deal, respectively, with the Greek
  conquest of Troy and the wanderings of the hero
  Odysseus after the Trojan War. The Homeric epics
  convey such values of ancient Greek culture as
  bravery, skill, honor, reverence for the gods,
  and intelligence.

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Folk/Literary Epics

• There are two main types of epicthe folk epic,
  created and developed through the oral tradition,
  and the literary epic, a story attributed to a
  single identified author.

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Folk Epic

• Folk epics are stories about heroes that were
  originally recited or sung as entertainment at
  feasts. Over the generations, these stories were
  passed down orally from storyteller to
  storyteller until eventually they were written
  down.

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Literary Epic

• Literary epics were writer by a specific author,
  usually borrowing the style and characteristics
  of the folk epic. Some literary epics draw upon
  well-known stories, characters, and myths that
  were passed down through the oral tradition. For
  example, Homers Iliad and Odyssey are often
  classified as folk epics, although ultimately
  they were attributed to these authors.

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Both epics are characterized by certain key
elements
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Epic Hero

• An Epic Hero An epic focuses on the adventures
  of a larger-than-life main character called the
  epic hero. This hero is strong, brave, loyal,
  and virtuous, although he is sometimes flawed.
  The epic hero also occupies an elevated position
  in society. He may even be semidivine.

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Epic Conflict

• An Epic Conflict The plot of an epic centers on
  the heros struggle against an obstacle or a
  series of obstacles. The hero proves his
  strength, bravery, wisdom and virtue through
  valorous deedssuccess in battle or adventure.

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Heroic Quest

• A Heroic Quest Often, the heros adventure takes
  the form of a perilous journey, or quest, in
  search of something of value to his people.

Hmmmsound like archetypes?
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Divine Intervention

• Divine Intervention The epic hero often receives
  help from a god or some other supernatural force.
  However, a different god may also work against
  the hero.

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In addition to these key elements, epics also
share certain literary characteristics, called
epic conventions
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Theme/Invocation

• An epic usually begins with an opening statement
  of theme, followed by an invocation, or appeal
  for supernatural help in telling the story.

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In Medias Res

• The story begins in medias res (Latin for in the
  middle of things). Readers are plunged right
  into the action, and then flashbacks and other
  narrative devices report on earlier events.

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Tone/Style

• An epic has a serious tone and an elevated style
  that reflect the importance of its characters and
  theme.

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Epic Similes

• Epics often include epic similes, elaborate
  extended comparisons using like or as.

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Epithets

• Epics typically include epithets, or stock
  descriptive words and phrases. Because these
  poems were originally composed and recited
  orally, epithets were kind of a shorthand that
  allowed the poet to describe a character or an
  object quickly in terms the audience would
  recognize. Homeric epithets are compound phrases
  such as the wine-dark sea or the gray-eyed
  goddess Athena.

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• If youve actually read to the end of this, then
  you know that if you have HANDWRITTEN notes (not
  a printed out copy of this PowerPoint), then you
  might be able to use them on an open notes quiz
  on this information tomorrow.

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The end.?