1 / 29

Epic / Epic Hero Notes

Epic / Epic Hero Notes. Mrs. Arabian English I CP. Epic Definition. An epic is a long narrative poem that relates the great deeds of a larger-than-life hero who embodies the values of a particular society. Epics often….

mina
Download Presentation

Epic / Epic Hero Notes

An Image/Link below is provided (as is) to download presentation Download Policy: Content on the Website is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use and may not be sold / licensed / shared on other websites without getting consent from its author. Content is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use only. Download presentation by click this link. While downloading, if for some reason you are not able to download a presentation, the publisher may have deleted the file from their server. During download, if you can't get a presentation, the file might be deleted by the publisher.

E N D

Presentation Transcript

  1. Epic / Epic Hero Notes Mrs. Arabian English I CP

  2. Epic Definition An epic is a long narrative poem that relates the great deeds of a larger-than-life hero who embodies the values of a particular society.

  3. Epics often… • Concern eternal human problems such as the conflict between GOOD and EVIL • Written or told on a grand scale and often in ceremonial style

  4. Two Types of Epics • Folk Epic-oral compositions passed on from storyteller to storyteller and has changed over time. Ex. -Beowulf, the Iliad, and the Odyssey • Literary Epic-written compositions that are unchanged over time. Ex. -Aeneid and Paradise Lost

  5. Epic Characteristics There are five main epic characteristics.

  6. Epic Characteristic #1 • The hero is a great leader who is identified strongly with a particular people or society.

  7. Epic Characteristic #2 • The setting is broad and often includes supernatural realms, especially the land of the dead.

  8. Epic Characteristic #3 • The hero does great deeds in battle or undertakes an extraordinary journey or quest.

  9. Epic Characteristic #4 • Sometimes gods or other supernatural or fantastic beings take part in the action.

  10. Epic Characteristic #5 • The story is told in heightened language

  11. Some other epic characteristics called… EPIC CONVENTIONS- Shared characteristics of epics writers drew upon to establish the epic quality of their poems.

  12. EPIC CONVENTION#1 • There is an INVOCATION or formal plea for aid/help. • This plea is usually to a deity or some other spiritual power.

  13. EPIC CONVENTION#2 • The action begins IN MEDIA RES… • literally meaning “in the middle of things”

  14. EPIC CONVENTION #3 • The epic begins in media res and then flashes back to events that took place before the narrator’s current time setting

  15. EPIC CONVENTIONS#4 • Epic Similes (a.k.a. Homeric simile)- elaborately extended comparisons relating heroic events to simple, everyday events using like, as, so, and just as.

  16. EPIC CONVENTIONS#5 • Epithet: a descriptive phrase that presents a particular trait of a person or thing. It can be a quick aid to characterization. • Ex: Odysseus is a “raider of cities.” • Odysseus is “a man skilled in all ways of contending.”

  17. The Epic Hero

  18. Epic Hero Characteristics • The epic hero is a “LARGER THAN LIFE PERSON” who embodies the highest ideals of his culture

  19. Real Example: • In “The Odyssey”, the epic hero Odysseus is considered “larger-than-life” • and embodies LOYALTY, VALOR/ COURAGE, SENSE OF JUSTICE, DIGNITY, PERSISTENCE, and many other traits of his culture and time period.

  20. Epic Hero Characteristics • The epic hero usually undertakes a QUEST/ JOURNEY to achieve something of great value to themselves or society

  21. Epic Hero Characteristics • Epic heroes “LIVE ON AFTER DEATH”… • meaning they are forever remembered by those who live after them… • achieving a type of IMMORTALITY

  22. Epic Hero Characteristics • Not a “Superman” with magical powers, but a “REGULAR” human whose aspirations and accomplishments set him/her apart

  23. Epic Hero Characteristics • Overcomes great obstacles/opponents but maintains HUMANITY

  24. Epic Hero Characteristics • Epic hero experiences typical HUMAN EMOTIONS/ FEELINGS, yet is able to master and control these human traits to a greater degree than a typical person

  25. Epic Hero Characteristics • It is often necessary for the epic hero to connect/make contact with “LESSER” humans in order to succeed

  26. THE HERO’S JOURNEY ARCHETYPE • What do Star Wars, Harry Potter, Lois Lowry’s The Giver, C.S. Lewis’ The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe and Homer’s “The Odyssey” all have in common?

  27. All have heroes • … that partake in a journey of significant change, that is, the “hero’s journey.” • All stories have heroes that are truly profound for exploring the archetype of the hero in literature and in our own lives.

  28. Hero as WARRIOR (Odysseus): A near godlike hero faces physical challenges and external enemies.

  29. Themes • The power of mind over muscle • The pitfalls of temptation • Respect for the gods • Loyalty • The importance of leadership and justice • Fate

More Related