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The Epic Convention. Epic Convention means the standard format for epic poetry. Invocation to the M use An invocation the act of invoking or calling upon a deity, spirit, etc.; asking for help or aid
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Invocation to the Muse An invocation the act of invoking or calling upon a deity, spirit, etc.;asking for help or aid in telling the story-making it the best possible version of the storymuse = minor goddess of areas of life
2. in media res“in the middle”-epics begin in the middle of a story or action; no background is given or necessary
3.In the very beginning, there is a statement about the poem’s theme
Epics have a serious tone and elevated style that reflect the importance of its characters and themes
Epic simileselaborate extended comparisons using like or as. In The Iliad there is a twelve line simile comparing Achilles’ pursuit of Hektor to a mountain hawk swooping down on a dove
4. Stock Epithet(s)Homeric Epithet(s)Epic literature uses stock epithets. Stock = standard, regularepithet = a name/nick-namename + a description
Stock epithets were used to easily identify the characters and add richness to the story.
Some examples of stock epithets:Hektor, Tamer of HorsesAchilles of the Swift FootGray-Haired ThetisWily Odysseus
Zeus, Cloud GathererZeus, Storm BringerZeus, Thunder ShakerAgamemnon, Son of Atreas