Goal: to define characteristics of epic poetry.

What is an Epic? In literature, an epic is a long narrative poem. Historically, epics were presented as a live performance, not written down. A poet would perform the epic by singing or reciting it from memory.

Reading the Epic as Narrative – Summary Boxes As we read the Odyssey, please keep track of important events and characters, and store these summaries in the graphic organizer provided. Note the changing narrators. Who is telling the story at any given point? Consider how the different narrators impact your understanding of characters and events.

Read the Epic as Poetry – Epic Poetry Notes simile/epic simile alliteration epithet assonance allusion consonance imagery rhyme

Epic Poetry Notes simile Epic simile (Homeric simile) compares two unrelated or dissimilar things by using “like” or “as” a detailed and complex simile, often many lines long, and is mostly used to draw attention to the heroic aspects of a character (usually the epic hero)

Epic Poetry Notes assonance consonance the repetition of vowel sounds in words close together the repetition of consonant sounds in words close together

Epic Poetry Notes epithet allusion an adjective or phrase that is used to express the characteristic of a person or thing a brief and indirect reference to a person, place, thing or idea of historical, cultural, literary or political significance

Epic Poetry Notes alliteration rhyme occurs when a series of words in a row (or close together) have the same first consonant sound a repetition of similar sounding words occurring at the end of lines in poems or songs the Odyssey has no rhyme scheme, but the English translation has a mostly well-established meter or rhythm (dactylic hexameter)

Epic Poetry Notes imagery an author's use of vivid and descriptive language Powerful forms of imagery engage all of the senses

Reading the Epic as a Reflection of Its Time Pay attention to the character traits of Odysseus (the epic hero). What do these traits tell you about the values of the time? Think about what you’ve learned of Greek history and culture. What events may have influenced Homer? Remember that in Homer’s time most Greeks believed that the gods took an active interest in human affairs and behaved much like humans. How are these religious beliefs apparent in the epic?

What is an Epic Hero? a brave and noble character in an epic poem, admired for great achievements or affected by grand events

Archetypes an archetype is a typical character, an action or a situation that seems to represent such universal patterns of human nature also known as universal symbol, may be a character, a theme, a symbol or even a setting