REVIEW: EPIC BEGINNINGS UNIT
FOR THIS WEBINAR… You will need: Your notebook and pen! (or wherever you take notes) Your voice! Participation is necessary, so please ask or answer questions, and make comments (appropriate to the topic). You will receive: 5 points on a quiz for attendance Extra-credit opportunity to replace unit test grade (or add additional points to test or quiz.) The knowledge that you will now have a better understanding of epic poetry!
Part 1 of Gilgamesh: How does Gilgamesh establish the defining features of epic poetry? Background: Gilgamesh is part man and part God. Gilgamesh is abusing his power and mistreating his people. Gods send Enikdu (who is equal in strength) to challenge Gilgamesh. They fight and then become friends. Both men set out on a journey to defeat Humbaba, a monster of the Cedar Forest Epic Hero is an archetype. Characteristics: –Strong warrior and leader –Is a compelling and confident speaker –Demonstrates courage and takes risks –Embarks on a long, challenging journey –Proves triumphant in battle –Receives help from a supernatural power
FEATURES OF AN EPIC POEM Epic is a long poem that tells the story (a narrative) of a hero. Epics share features that drive the plot: –A courageous hero who answers a call to adventure –A journey filled with challenges –A vast setting of distant landscape –Supernatural forces, such as god or monsters, that intervene Which elements can you identify in this selection? at four hundred miles they stopped to eat, at a thousand miles they pitched their camp. They had traveled for just three days and nights, a six weeks’ journey for ordinary men. When the sun was setting, they dug a well They filled their waterskins with fresh water, Gilgamesh climbed to the top of the mountain. -A journey filled with challenges -Vast setting Courageous hero
LITERARY ELEMENTS Repetition: reappearance of words and phrases for effect. It is important to the structure of an epic because: –Allows poets to remember and retell the poem –Helps audience absorb the poem –Create a rhythmic pattern –Emphasizes important ideas Gilgamesh repeatedly has a dream and says, “Enikdu, dear friend, I have had a dream.” What effect does this repetition have? A.It creates a vivid image that the audience can see, and it establishes a more realistic way of storytelling. B.It create pattern that the audience can follow, and it signals that the audience will hear a new dream. After each dream, Gilgamesh says to Enkidu, “Dear friend, tell me, what does this mean?” What effect does this repetition have? A.It emphasizes the terrifying nature of Gilgamesh’s dreams. B.It reinforces Enkidu’s role as Gilgamesh’s advisor.
LITERARY ELEMENTS CONTINUED Theme: a message that a text convey about a topic. A theme is never specific to a text, and should never mention any particular aspects of a text (including plot elements characters, setting, etc.). A story can have more than one theme, and these themes can interact with one another. A theme is more than just one word, such as “Love” – this is a topic. My next question, what is the story revealing about love? What is the comment being made about love by the text? Is this a theme? Money can’t buy happiness. It is better to live free than die under tyranny. Story inspires readers to take chances in times of uncertainty.
GILGAMESH THEMES 1.Which statement is a theme of Gilgamesh? 1.Two friends in search of the dreaded monster. 2.Encouragement can be a source of strength. III. Read the excerpt and decide which statement best reflects the theme: Gilgamesh backed away. He said, “How dreadful Humbaba’s face has become! It is changing into a thousand nightmare faces, more horrible than I can bear. I feel haunted. I am too afraid to go on.” Enkidu answered, “Why dearest friend, Do you speak like a coward? What you just said is unworthy of you. It grieves my heart. We must not hesitate or retreat.” Theme 1:Cowardice leads to death and defeat. Theme 2:People must persevere despite their fears. Theme 3:Gilgamesh needs support to overcome his fears. II.Consider these two themes: Good leaders motivate through compelling speeches. Soldiers must persevere through challenging trials. Which statement best describes how these themes interact? GGilgamesh encourages Enkidu to continue, and Enkidu faces many tests of courage. BBoth Gilgamesh and Enkidu convincingly urge each other to endure through hardship.
Create your own epic hero! Extra credit Assignment Choice 1: You will create an epic hero that exemplifies at least four of the characteristics of this archetype. Use the graphic organizer entitled “Epic Hero Character Chart” to get your ideas together. Link: Epic Hero Character Trait HandoutEpic Hero Character Trait Handout Choice 2: Return to the two sections of Gilgamesh and find textual evidence that illustrates Gilgamesh as an epic hero. You must fill this chart completely! Gilgamesh as an Epic Hero Handout Mrs. Mav if you would like to complete one of these activities! I will send you a copy of the handout to your personal . Text: (include your name and which assignment you would like to complete.)