Elements of the Epic

The Epic

• The epic is a long narrative poem that recounts the adventures of an epic hero.
• It began in ancient Greece, with stories being passed down orally through bards.
• The epic is still very much alive in today's novels and movies.
• Homer's Odyssey is one of the most beloved epics in Western literature.
• It captivates us and carries us off into a time and place quite different from our own.

Elements of the Epic

• Epic Hero: Possesses superhuman strength, craftiness, and confidence.
• Epic Hero: Helped or harmed by gods or fate.
• Epic Hero: Embodies qualities valued by cultures.
• Epic Hero: Overcomes perilous situations.

Epic Plot

• Depicts a long, strange journey.
• Includes complications such as:
  • Strange creatures
  • Treacherous weather
  • Divine intervention
  • Large-scale events

Archetypes

• Characters and situations recognizable across times and cultures:
  • Brave hero
  • Evil temptress
  • Sea monster
  • Loyal servant
  • Suitors’ contest
  • Buried treasure

Epic Themes

• Courage
• The fate of a nation
• Loyalty
• Life and death
• Beauty
• A homecoming

Epic Setting

• Includes fantastic or exotic lands
• Involves more than one nation or culture

The Language of Homer

• Epic Simile: A comparison between two unlike things using the word like or as.
• Epithet: Renames a person or thing with a descriptive phrase.
• Allusion: A reference to a literary or historical person, place, event, or composition.

Examining the Homeric Epics

• The Iliad and The Odyssey are considered masterpieces of the epic form.
• Important plot elements:
  • The interference of gods in human affairs
  • The epic heroism of central characters
  • The saga and aftermath of the Trojan War
• Homer drew on stories and legends passed down orally by bards.

The Trojan War

• The legendary conflict between Greece (or Achaea) and Troy began around 1200 BCE.
• Paris, a Trojan prince, kidnapped Helen, the wife of Menelaus, king of Sparta.
• Menelaus recruited allied kingdoms to attack Troy and recover his wife.
• The Greeks besieged Troy for ten years but could not breach the city walls.
• Odysseus, king of Ithaca, planned a way to break the stalemate by ordering his men to build a giant wooden horse.
• The people of Troy thought it was a peace offering and brought it inside the gates, but they were wrong.
• The horse was filled with Greek soldiers and the city was doomed.

Heroism

• The Odyssey recounts Odysseus’ adventures and struggles as he returns home from post-war Troy.
• He prevails against gruesome monsters, enchanting women, and greedy rivals who try to stop him.
• Odysseus uses cleverness and guile to overcome his trials.

Explore the fascinating world of epic poetry, its heroes, and the narrative structures that define them. This quiz delves into the characteristics and elements that make epics resonate across cultures and time. Test your knowledge on famous epics, including Homer's Odyssey, and discover what makes an epic hero extraordinary.