EPIC UNIT TERMS

Introduction to the EpicRead book ten minutes!The Odyssey!

1Journal #5Part I. Make a list of people (male and female) who are generally considered heroes. Try to come up with as many as you can. Then identify the heroic qualities of each person next to his or her name.

Note: This person or group of people can be from any point in history, past or present.

Journal #5 ContinuedPart II. Look over your list to identify which qualities seem essential to every hero. Write those qualities here. Be prepared to share with the class.

TheEpic PoemTraits of Epic Poetry

A long, narrative poem on a serious subject matter Centered on the actions of a heroic figure (the Epic Hero)Begins with the poet asking a Muse for inspiration (asks for help!) Purpose of Epic stories1.To entertain2.To inspire 3. To educate

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The Epic HeroTypically maleHas a goalEmbarks on a long journeyRuthless to enemies Has struggles (battles) with natural & supernatural beings Bravery, wits, & skill is tested in battle Man/Woman of action Excels in skill, strength, & courageAlways obtains his goalAccepts challenges / invites problemsHas a mentorSupernatural will help / hinder himTravels over vast setting

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More Epic traits ConcernsThe fate of a nation or a whole group of people is in question. SupernaturalSome form of supernatural being or power intervenes. BattlesStory includes extensive and large-scale battle scenesVast settingsThe setting is vast, crossing large areas of land, sea, or outer space.

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Epic Traits ContinuedGood vs. EvilThe primary conflict in an epic is good against evil; good and those who support it will likely win.

Massive QuantitiesIn an epic, there are many things to be counted the number of characters, ships, settings, good guys, bad guys, etc.

8In medias resA technique used in most epicsA Latin term meaning:

Means the story starts in the middle of the action.

"in the midst (middle) of things"

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HomerBelieved to have been a blind traveling minstrel.The word homer is theorized to mean set to verse Created both Illiad and Odyssey approximately around 750 BC (400 years after the events took place)Homers epics are the cornerstone of the Western literary tradition 10HomerLater Greeks believed he was the blind minstrel, or singer, from the island of Chios.Conspiracy Theories! One scholar suggests Homer was a woman because home and hearth played such an important role in his stories. (Whaaat??!) Some scholars think there were two Homers. Some think he was just a legend.

11Epics and ValuesThe Epic TraditionAll epic poems in the western world owe something to the basic patterns established in Homers epics.The Iliad is the primary model for an epic of war.The Odyssey is the model for an epic of the long journey.

12Before the Story StartsThe Iliad provides the background for Odysseuss story and tells the tale of a ten-year war fought outside the walls of Troy. In Homers Iliadthe Trojan War is in its tenth and final yearthe people of Troy are fighting an alliance of Greek kings because the worlds most beautiful woman, Helen, abandoned her husband, Menelaus (a Greek king) and ran off with Paris, a prince of TroyIn Homers Iliad: the Greeks won the war, reduced the city of Troy to smoldering ruins, and butchered all the inhabitants, except for those they took as slaves back to Greece

The Wooden-Horse TrickDuring the Trojan War, Odysseusperformed extremely well as a soldier and commanderthought of the famous wooden-horse trick that lead to the defeat of Troy

14The Wooden-Horse TrickOdysseuss plan was to build an enormous wooden horse and hide Greek soldiers inside.The horse was left outside the gates of Troy, and the Greeks abandoned their camp.

15The Wooden-Horse TrickThe Trojans thought the horse was a peace offering and brought it into the walled city.At night, the men hidden in the horse came out and opened the gates to the entire Greek army.(Peek-a-boo!)

16ODYSSEUS is our hero, the protagonist of the Odyssey.

He spends half his time as our narrator and half as our main character only.

17ODYSSEUS is the king of the rocky Greek island of Ithaca.

The Odyssey tells the story of his voyage back to Ithaca from the Trojan War.

18ODYSSEUS is trying to get back to his son, Telemachus, and his wife, Penelope.

When the story begins, ODYSSEUS is in his tenth year of travel.

19A Search for Their Places in LifeThe Odyssey:The story begins with Telemachus, Odysseuss son. Telemachus is searching for his father because:Telemachus is being threatened by rude, powerful men who want to marry his mother and rob Telemachus of his inheritance needs his father to return home and restore order

21Relationships with GodsIn Homers stories, a god can be an alter egoa reflection of a heros best or worst qualities.Odysseus is known for his mental abilities, so he receives aid from Athena, the goddess of wisdom.Odysseus can also be cruel and violent. Odysseuss nemesis is Poseidon, the god of the sea, who is known for arrogance and brutishness.

22Relationships with GodsMyths are traditional stories, rooted in a particular culture, that usually explain a belief, a ritual, or a mysterious natural phenomenon.Myths are concerned with the relationship between human beings and the unknown or spiritual realm.

23Epics and other tales were probably told by wandering bards or minstrels called rhapsodes or minstrel. Minstrels and Rhapsodes wereThe Telling of Epics

the historians, entertainers, and mythmakers of their timeresponsible for spreading news about recent events or the doings of heroes, gods, and goddessesa medieval singer or musician, especially one who sang or recited lyric or heroic poetry

24Epics were originally told aloud. The Telling of EpicsThey followed basic story lines and incorporated formulaic descriptions.Most of the words were improvised to fit a particular rhythm or meter.Epics included Homeric or epic similes that compare heroic events to easily understandable everyday events.

25Essential Questions for This UnitWhat are the characteristics of the epic narrative? Has the ancient epic influenced modern-day storytelling?