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The Epic

The Epic. Conventions. The Odyssey. Written by Homer 8 th century BC (750 BC) Composed in poetry and recited by singers before being written down Epic – long, narrative poem telling the tale of the deeds of gods and heroes

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The Epic

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  1. The Epic Conventions

  2. The Odyssey • Written by Homer 8th century BC (750 BC) • Composed in poetry and recited by singers before being written down • Epic – long, narrative poem telling the tale of the deeds of gods and heroes • Tells the tale of Odysseus’ 10 year journey home to Ithaca following the Trojan War

  3. So, what is an epic? • Long, narrative poem about the adventures of gods or heroes. • Really long – not like “The Raven” • The Iliad, The Odyssey, The Aeneidare the best examples of what an epic is • They contain many books/chapters, tell a great & vast adventure

  4. More to an Epic • Epics are more than just long poems; they contain conventions: customary practices or elements common to all epics • Throughout history, literature & movies you will see that the epic conventions are used again and again

  5. Some epics you’re familiar with • Star Wars • Harry Potter

  6. Convention 1: the Epic Hero • Unusual circumstances surrounding birth: sometimes born into royalty or born in danger • Leaves family/land to live with others • An event, often traumatic, leads to adventure or quest • Hero has a special weapon only he can use • Hero always has supernatural help

  7. Epic Hero continued • The journey: the hero goes on a quest of some sort to accomplish an overall goal • The hero must prove himself many times on the journey • The hero experiences atonement (he is reconciled or forgiven) • When the hero dies, he is rewarded spiritually

  8. The hero must demonstrate traits such as: • Loyalty • Courage • Honor The traits are highly valued in the epic’s society Traits demonstrated are meant to be modeled by the reader

  9. Convention 2: In media res • The story begins in the middle. Past events are frequently revealed through flashback C0nvention 3: Invocation of the Muse • An appeal to the goddess to either tell the story or to help tell the story

  10. Convention 4: epithets • multiple-word adjectives attached to the characters’ name consistently: Harry Potter is referred to as the “chosen one” Convention 5: epic (Homeric) similes • Extended metaphors creating a comparison between two seemingly dissimilar things using like or as.

  11. Convention 6: monologue • A character must deliver a long speech Convention 7: supernatural intervention • Wizards, gods, demons, magical beings interfere in the story

  12. Convention 8: arming of hero • The hero receives special armor or a weapon Convention 9: Journey to the underworld • Literal or symbolic: the hero must journey to a dark, dangerous place in search of something & then return

  13. Conflict • There is conflict at the center of the epic • The conflict arises throughout the epic • Conflict is necessary so the hero’s valued traits can be put on display Epic conflicts include: • Man vs. man • Man vs. nature • Man vs. self

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