The Epic Notes Textbook PDF

# The Epic Extraordinary heroes in pursuit of hideous monsters. Brutal battles fought and perilous quests undertaken. Spectacular triumphs and crushing defeats. The epic, still very much alive in today’s novels and movies, began thousands of years ago in the oral tradition of ancient Greece. There...

# The Epic Extraordinary heroes in pursuit of hideous monsters. Brutal battles fought and perilous quests undertaken. Spectacular triumphs and crushing defeats. The epic, still very much alive in today’s novels and movies, began thousands of years ago in the oral tradition of ancient Greece. There, listeners gathered around poet-storytellers to hear the daring exploits of the hero Odysseus. Across storm-tossed seas, through wild forests, amid countless dangers and subsequent narrow escapes, the hero, motivated by a singular focus on his objective, prevails against all odds. It’s no wonder that Homer’s Odyssey remains one of the most beloved epics in Western literature. It captivates us and carries us off into a time and place quite different from—yet somehow similar to—our own. ## Characteristics of the Epic An epic is a long narrative poem. It recounts the adventures of an epic hero, a larger-than-life figure who undertakes great journeys and performs deeds requiring remarkable bravery and cunning. As you begin your own journey through Homer’s epic, you can expect to encounter the following elements. ## Elements of the Epic ### Epic Hero - possesses superhuman strength, craftiness, and confidence - helped or harmed by gods or fate - embodies qualities valued by the culture - overcomes perilous situations ### Epic Plot Depicts a long, strange journey filled with such complications 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 Reflect universal concerns, such as: - 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 The people of ancient Greece who first experienced *The Odyssey* heard it sung in a live performance. The poet, or another performer, used epic similes, epithets, and allusions to help keep the audience enthralled. - **A simile** is a comparison between two unlike things, using the word *like* or *as*. Homer often employs the epic simile, a comparison developed over several lines. For example, the epic simile in this passage compares an angry Odysseus to a sausage. - **An epithet** renames a person or thing with a descriptive phrase. To maintain the meter of the poem or complete a line of verse, the poet would often use an epithet containing the necessary number of syllables. For example, Homer often refers to Odysseus by such epithets as “son of Laertes” and “raider of cities.” - **An allusion** is a reference to a literary or historical person, place, event, or composition. For example, when Telemachus, Odysseus’ son, beholds the palace of Menelaus, he exclaims, “This is the way the court of Zeus must be.” Every listener in Greece immediately understood the allusion to Zeus, the ruler of the gods. ## Examining the Homeric Epics Considered the greatest masterpieces of the epic form, *The Iliad* and *The Odyssey* present high drama and intense emotions. In both books, important plot elements include the interference of gods in human affairs, the epic heroism of the central characters, and the saga and aftermath of the Trojan War. As sources for his epics, Homer drew on stories and legends that had been passed down orally by bards for centuries. ### 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 the armies of allied kingdoms to attack Troy and recover his wife. For ten years the Greek forces held Troy under siege, but they could not breach the city walls. Finally, Odysseus, king of Ithaca, planned a way to break the stalemate. He ordered his men to build a giant wooden horse. The people of Troy awoke the next day to find that horse outside the city gates—and no Greeks in sight. Assuming the Greeks had retreated, leaving the horse as a peace offering, they brought it inside the gates. They discovered too late that the horse was filled with Greek soldiers and their city was doomed. ### Heroism *The Odyssey* recounts Odysseus’ adventures and struggles as he returns home from post-war Troy, along with the conflicts that arise in Ithaca before and after his return. He prevails against gruesome monsters, enchanting women, and greedy rivals intent on preventing him from reaching his objective. Odysseus employs cleverness and guile to overcome his trials.