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INTRODUCTION to EPIC POETRY

INTRODUCTION to EPIC POETRY. An epic poem has …. a hero who embodies national, cultural, or religious ideals a hero upon whose actions depends the fate of his people a course of action in which the hero performs great and difficult deeds. An epic poem has ….

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INTRODUCTION to EPIC POETRY

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  1. INTRODUCTIONtoEPIC POETRY

  2. An epic poem has… a hero who embodies national, cultural, or religious ideals a hero upon whose actions depends the fate of his people a course of action in which the hero performs great and difficult deeds

  3. An epic poem has… a recognition of -- or intercession by -- divine or supernatural powers a concern with eternal human problems a dignified and elaborate poetic style

  4. Important “Primary” Epics Iliad* (Greek) / Aeneid (Latin) Odyssey (Greek) / Ulysses (Latin) Gilgamesh (Babylonian) Exodus (Hebrew) Beowulf * (Anglo-Saxon)

  5. What do these primary epics have in common? Each began as part of a culture’s oral tradition ORAL TRADITION socio-/cultural values transferred generation-to-generation by traveling poets/bards who sang songs about cultural heroes and values POETRY because rhyme/meter is easier to memorize and more stable as passed-on

  6. What is Epic Poetry? Long narrative poem Written in an elevated/formal style Celebrates the deed of a legendary hero or god

  7. The Iliad “written” by Homer around (c.) 720 B.C. Homer did not invent the story, but transcribed it into its longest-lasting form All versions we read are translated from ancient Greek language – Translations can vary greatly Called Iliad because “Ilium” was the Greek name for Troy – where the war took place. “Iliad” = “about Ilium”

  8. Nuclear weapons? No! Treaty violations? No! Imperial aggression? No! Trade dispute? No! The Trojan War (c. 1250 B.C.)Causes A WOMAN!

  9. The Trojan War 1184 BC/ 800 BC (written) • Main topic of The Iliad by Homer and latter The Aeneid by Virgil • Achaeans vs. Trojans (10 yrs.) • Helen of Troy abducted by Paris • Achilles obtains from war in 10th yr. kills Hector the Trojan Prince • Wooden horse • City captured Helen returned to Menelaus

  10. Epic of Gilgamesh2500 BC • 11 Clay Tablets (story) • 12th Tells of his ruling the netherworld • Most important epic poem in human history • Various adventures of hero-king searching for immortality • An account of the flood • Characters • Gilgamesh (2/3 god & 1/3 human) • Enkidu (wild man)

  11. The Odyssey 800 BC • Tale of Odysseus • 10 yrs. in Trojan War • 10 yrs. to get home • Presumed dead wife Penelope fighting off suitors • Consists of 24 books More about this one later…

  12. Literary Devices • Alliteration-- repetition of of similar sounds especially initial consonant or stressed syllable (eg. Peter Piper picked a pair of pickled peppers]) • Metaphor- comparison between two similar things • Simile- Comparison using “like or as”

  13. Literary Devices Cont. • Epithet- brief phrase characterizes a person place or thing (eg. “the Lord of all Life”, “the Rule of glory,” “the Lord of heaven and earth”) • Kenning- two-word metaphorical name for something (eg. “sea-road” for ocean [30, line 239])

  14. Literary Elements • Internal Conflict- Struggle that takes place within the mind of a character who is torn between opposing feelings and desires • External Conflict- When a character struggles against some outside force… Person, nature, society, or fate.

  15. Journal Life is full of conflicts. For each of the types of conflict write a paragraph that gives details about your personal experience.

  16. Villians Journal Entry: Make a chart like the one below and fill it in with examples from today’s villains.

  17. Heroes Journal Entry: Make a chart like the one below and fill it in with examples from today’s heroes.

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