“How does the Odyssey exhibit the traits of a heroic epic ?”

“How does the Odyssey exhibit the traits of a heroic epic?”

“An epic is an encyclopedia of the manners, customs, and values that bind a civilization together.” -W.T. Jewkes

Terms and concepts to know- the following terms are provided in order to help you look for key passages in the text. Learn the definitions of these words and be able to identify examples of them. As you read, you will need to look for these examples and make notes for later review and for support in your composition.

Epic-a long narrative poem in elevated style recounting the deeds of a legendary or historical hero

Hero/Heroine - a: a mythological or legendary figure often of divine descent endowed with great strength or ability b: an illustrious warrior c: a man admired for his achievements and noble qualities d: one that shows great courage e: an object of extreme admiration and devotion

Archetype-the original pattern or model of which all things of the same type are representations or copies

Homericsimile-an extended simile that is used typically in epic poetry to intensify the heroic stature of the subject, often comparing the inconceivable to mundane and everyday things

“His wings were spread abroad on either side as wide as the well-made and well-bolted door of a rich man’s chamber.” “Iris, fleet as the wind” “As some great forest fire is raging upon a mountain top and its light is seen afar, even so as they marched the gleam of their armor flashed up into the firmament of heaven.” -The Iliad

Personification-a divinity or imaginary being representing a thing or abstraction

“Now when Dawn in robe of saffron was hasting from the streams of Oceanus…” - The Iliad

HomericEpithet- a characterizing word or phrase accompanying or occurring in place of the name of a person or thing

“Zeus now woke on the crests of Ida, where he was lying with golden-throned Hera.” “augustThereon, daughter of aegis-bearingZeus” “silver-footedThetis” -The Iliad

The following words and definitions are concepts that you will need to know and be able to recognize in the text. They have to do with features that distinguish different societies, cultures, and civilizations.

Socialvalues- A value system refers to how an individual or a group of individuals organize their ethical or ideological values. A well-defined value system is a moral code. In the Odyssey, you will be looking for ideas and values of the ancient Greeks.

In the United States, some of our public values are democratic government and free trade. Without these two organizing ideas, the U.S. would not be where it is today. Some personal values we as Americans share are perseverance and ingenuity, as reflected in our admiration of such determined and ingenious men as Thomas Edison and Benjamin Franklin.

Custom- In law, custom, or customary law consists of established patterns of behavior that can be objectively verified within a particular social setting. Customs can also be rituals or behaviors practiced by everyone of a particular region or nation.

In the South, it is a customary law for most shops and stores to be closed for major religious holidays. In Japan, it is a custom for one to remove one’s shoes before entering a household or school of any kind. In some cultures, it is customary to eat with one’s fingers, in others to pray before every meal. Can you think of any customs or socialvalues that are particular to your town, county, state, region, or country?

“How does the Odyssey exhibit the traits of a heroic epic ?”