The word

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The word large is associated with the word
epic.
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An epic is a long narrative poem about
important events in the history or folklore of a
culture.
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It also portrays the goals and values of
society.
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Epics are based on historical fact and blend
legend with truth.
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Gods and goddesses are often important
figures in an epic.
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Two of the greatest epics are the Iliad and
the Odyssey.
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Because they were passed down through word of
mouth, they are called oral traditions.
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These epics were transmitted by Greek
minstrels and were finally written down by Homer
in approximately 800 BC.
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In primitive societies stories were passed
through word of mouth. Many of the stories were
about gods and heroes.
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Longer stories were called epics, and they
took several days to complete.
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The stories were based on historical facts.
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They were also filled with incredible deeds
and fantastic exploits.
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the Iliad and the Odyssey were based on
events of the Trojan War. This war occurred in
1200 BC.
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Stories credit the kidnapping of Helen of
Troy as starting the war.
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There are two purposes for these myths and
legends1. to entertain2. to teach important
lessons about religion and society
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These heroes were important because they were
examples of ideal human qualities.
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Themes in The Odyssey1. Loyalty,
devotion, fortitude
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2. The Greek ideal of a strong body and a
strong intellect
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3. The wandering hero
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4. The triumph of good over evil
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5. Obedience to the laws of the gods
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Homer was probably born sometime between 700
B.C. and 1,000 B.C. in Western Asia Minor.
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He brought these tales together orally before
writing them down.
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Later the two epics were the basis for Greek
and Roman education.
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What is an epic hero?1. A great figure
that is larger than life
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2. Of national, international, or even
cosmic importance
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3. A character from either history or legend
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4. The ones most valued by society
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Storytellers explored themes by means of
archetypes, the situations, characters, images,
and symbols that appear in the tales of various
cultures.
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Important Archetypes1. The heros quest -
a brave or clever person undergoes test or trials
while searching for something of great value.
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2. The struggles between the protagonist,
the main character, and the antagonist, a
person or force that opposes the protagonist.
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3. The monster a nonhuman or semi-human
creature that menaces human society and must be
destroyed by the hero
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4. The trickster a clever character who can
fool others but often gets into trouble through
curiosity
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5. The circle a symbol of loyalty,
completion, or protection
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Historical ContextThe historical
context is the social and cultural background of
a particular tale. This context influences the
presentation of archetypes.
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Forms That Express Universal
Themes1. Myths - explain the actions of
gods and the humans who interact with them -
explain the causes of natural phenomena
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2. Folk tales - focus on human or animal
heroes and, unlike myths, are not primarily
concerned with gods or creation
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3. Legends - folk tales that recount the
adventures of a human hero and are usually based
on a historical truth- a legend told in an
exaggerated way is a tall tale.
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4. Epics- long narrative poems that
describe the exploits of larger-than-life heroes.
- hero usually engages in a dangerous journey
or quest that is important to the history of a
group or culture
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Medias ResMany epics begin in medias res
(in the middle of things) - major events
occurred before events in the poem begin. The
heros adventures are often recounted in a
flashback.