Epic Poetry

Epic Literature Epic: a long narrative poem about the deeds of gods or heroes Ex. Homer’s Odyssey and Iliad Theories on the Origin of Epics First epics were collections of various unknown poets eventually molded into one work Most scholars believe epics may have accumulated in this way but a single genius gives it structure and expression Folk Epics: epics without certain authorship Beowulf

Common epic characteristics Hero: super human strength, character, or intellect Of national and international importance Fatal/tragic flaw – leads to his demise Ex. Achilles’ heel Setting: vast in scope/ covers great nations, the world, the universe Action: deeds of great valor or requiring superhuman courage Supernatural Forces: gods, angels, demons Involved in action Intervene from time to time Style: elevated (raised to a higher level) Epic poet (scop): uses objectivity to tell narrative

Conventions Poet opens by stating theme Invokes a Muse to inspire and instruct him Opens the narrative in media res Latin for “in the middle of things” Catalogs – listing of warriors, ships, weapons, armies Extended formal speeches by main characters Epic simile: elaborate comparison of common everyday situations to heroic, supernatural situations Ex. Comparing fishing to killing a monster Epithet: an adjective or adjective phrase applied to a person or thing to emphasize a characteristic, quality or attribute Ex. The man of twists and turns Homeric Epithet: an epithet consisting of a compound adjective Ex. Ox-eyed Hera, swift-footed Achilles, rosy-fingered dawn

More conventions Narrative Drift: interrupting the narration to elaborate on an aspect of what is being spoken about Ex. If a gift of wine is mentioned the author may then explain not only the history of the gift but the history of the giver Meter: fixed pattern of accented and unaccented syllables in the lines of a poem that produces its pervasive rhythm Dactylic hexameter: first five feet are dactyls (accented syllable followed by to unaccented) Last foot is a spondee Two accented syllables Ex. “This is the / forest prim- / eval. The / murmuring / pines and the / hem locks,” Translations do not include the meter Greek version has long and short sounds

Major themes/Motifs Hospitality: Zeus avenges the unoffending guest Respect for the Gods The importance of lineage Loyalty Pride and honor Resisting temptation/self-discipline Live life to the fullest: Odysseus is an explorer Justice/revenge: Homer sees it as justifiable Reconciliation Fate: Greeks great believers that we do not have control over out destinies

Homer Not sure if he existed Some accounts suggest he was blind Lived some time before 700 B.C. in Asia Minor, Smyrna or Chios Wrote in ionic and Aeloic dialects Commonly attributed authorship of Iliad and Odyssey The Odssey and Iliad were probably written around 8th century B.C. Homer memorized and sung the song in a series of performances