Transcript Epic / Epic Hero Notes

THE EPIC POEM
&
THE EPIC HERO
EPIC
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…
have similar characteristics that
include…
CHARACTERISTIC #1
The hero is a great leader who is
identified strongly with a
particular people or society.
CHARACTERISTIC #2
The setting is broad and often
includes supernatural realms,
especially the land of the dead.
CHARACTERISTIC #3
The hero does great deeds in
battle or undertakes an
extraordinary journey or quest.
CHARACTERISTIC #4
Sometimes gods or other
supernatural or fantastic beings
take part in the action.
CHARACTERISTIC #5
The hero must reach a low
point where he nearly gives
up or appears defeated.
CHARACTERISTIC #6
The hero finally regains his
rightful place in society as
king, father, military leader.
EPIC CONVENTIONS…
…are shared characteristics
writers drew upon to
establish the epic quality of
their poems.
CONVENTION #1
Begins with an
INVOCATION or formal plea
for aid/help.
CONVENTION #2
The action begins
IN MEDIA RES
literally meaning “in the middle
of things”
CONVENTION #3
The epic begins in media res and
then flashes back to events that
took place earlier.
CONVENTIONS #4
They use Epic Similes—elaborately
extended comparisons relating heroic
events to simple, everyday events
using like, as, so, and just as.
CONVENTIONS #5
They use epithets—a descriptive phrase
that presents a particular trait of a person
or thing.
Odysseus, raider of cities…
Odysseus, the man skilled in
all ways of contending…
EPIC HERO
EPIC HERO
a “larger than life person” who
embodies the highest ideals of
his culture; he is braver,
stronger, cleverer than others.
EPIC HERO
but still a regular human
(sometimes part god)
EPIC HERO
undertakes a
quest/journey
to achieve a noble cause
EPIC HERO
overcomes great
obstacles/opponents but
maintains humanity
TODAY…
Can you think of epic heroes in
modern tales?