The Epic Connecting the Ancient with the Modern vs.

What Makes an Epic? Traditionally an EPIC was a long, narrative poem. Traditionally an EPIC was a long, narrative poem. – The Iliad – The Odyssey Modern literature has moved away from poetry and now uses the more popular prose format. Media has also moved away from the poetic dialogue in exchange for more conversational and realistic dialogue.

What Makes an Epic? An EPIC addresses universal concerns An EPIC addresses universal concerns – Good vs. Evil – Life and Death – Sin and Redemption Braveheart Braveheart The Lord of the Rings The Lord of the Rings Gladiator Gladiator

What Makes an Epic? An EPIC is set in many locations (real or imaginary) An EPIC is set in many locations (real or imaginary) – Lawrence of Arabia The Arabian Dessert The Arabian Dessert – StarWars A whole galaxy far, far away A whole galaxy far, far away – Doctor Zhivago Russia Russia

What Makes an Epic? The hero is traditionally of high importance. The hero is traditionally of high importance. – Modern epics tend to down play the hero’s status Titanic –Rose (the true hero) is of high social class Titanic –Rose (the true hero) is of high social class Gladiator – Maximus was once a great general before becoming and mere gladiator Gladiator – Maximus was once a great general before becoming and mere gladiator Braveheart – William Wallace is but a farmer, yet he gets raised to legendary status Braveheart – William Wallace is but a farmer, yet he gets raised to legendary status

What Makes an Epic? The hero is pitted against overwhelming odds and must be courageous and strong in an EPIC The hero is pitted against overwhelming odds and must be courageous and strong in an EPIC – The Ten Commandments – Moses must lead the people out of Eygpt – StarWars – Luke must fight against the evil empire and Darth Vadar – Gone with the Wind – Scarlett must support her family while the Civil War ravages the South

What Makes an Epic? Traditionally an EPIC included supernatural events and beings playing an important role. Traditionally an EPIC included supernatural events and beings playing an important role. – Modern epics have moved away from the supernatural to focus on reality. – Even Troy, based on Homer’s The Iliad, removes the active roles of the Greek gods such as Athena and Apollo.

So what does remain of the traditional epic in modern film? Most epic films contain at least three or four of the traditional characteristics. Most epic films contain at least three or four of the traditional characteristics. – Address universal concerns – Set in a variety of locations – Hero must overcome obstacles – Hero is still often of high stature

What has been lost from the epic? The Poetic Form The Poetic Form – Poetic dialogue in now considered old fashioned and unrealistic. – Writers and directors attempt to create dialogue that sounds “old,” but not “old-fashioned.” – Audiences often call poetic dialogue “corny” and claim it takes them out of the action and disturbs the flow of the film.

What has been lost from the epic? The Variety of Locations The Variety of Locations – Some films that are considered epic have very few settings. The “journey” has been reduced to mentally growing and maturing. Troy includes a few different settings, but 90% of the film takes place right outside of Troy. Troy includes a few different settings, but 90% of the film takes place right outside of Troy.

What has been lost from the epic? The Supernatural Playing an Important Role The Supernatural Playing an Important Role – Epic films are practically devoid of the supernatural. – Again, the writers and directors prefer to be realistic. – There are references to the gods, ghosts, and religion, but they rarely make a physical appearance. One exception is Jason and the Argonauts. One exception is Jason and the Argonauts.

There is one Epic Characteristic that can be found in almost every epic film…

The HERO! The majority of epic films have retained the hero, one character who rises above the rest and overcomes great obstacles. The majority of epic films have retained the hero, one character who rises above the rest and overcomes great obstacles. So what makes a hero a… hero? So what makes a hero a… hero?

What makes a Hero? The Hero is the main character The Hero is the main character He/she undertakes a “journey” in search of identity and wholeness which involve… He/she undertakes a “journey” in search of identity and wholeness which involve… – Learning – Growing – Taking Risks – Making Sacrifices – Overcoming Obstacles He/she has human flaws He/she has human flaws

Let’s Look at a Hero Rose from Titanic Rose from Titanic – Main character of Titanic – Takes a literal journey on the Titanic as well as a mental journey from spoiled rich girl to free spirit – Learns that money and status are not more important than love and freedom – Grows from an immature brat into a mature woman – Takes risks by associating with Jack and the other passengers “down below” as well as refusing to get on the life boat without Jack – Overcomes the obstacle of pandering to her mother, breaking away from her abusive fiancé, survives the drowning of the Titanic, and creates a whole new life for herself. – Rose's flaw is her inability to make choices on her own.

Let’s try another… Luke Skywalker from StarWars Luke Skywalker from StarWars – Luke is the main character of the films. – Luke takes a literal journey across the galaxy to several planets as well as a mental journey from young boy to grown man. – Luke learns how to fight for good against evil, who his true father is, and how to forgive his father. – Luke grows into his Jedi skills. – Luke risks his life by joining Obi-wan Kenobi, saving Princess Leia, fighting with the Jedi, and fighting with Han Solo. – Luke unknowingly sacrifices his aunt and uncle as well as his low-key life on planet Tatooine. – Luke must overcome the temptation to join the dark side like his father. – Luke’s flaw is his impatience to grow up and become a Jedi.

Now it’s your turn. Choose a film that you believe to be an EPIC Choose a film that you believe to be an EPIC – Does it address universal concerns? – Is it set in a variety of locations? – Is the hero has high status? – Is the hero pitted against overwhelming odds? – Are there any supernatural beings?

Now let’s look at the hero. Is he/she the main character? Is he/she the main character? Does he/she go on a literal or mental journey? Does he/she go on a literal or mental journey? Does he/she learn anything? Does he/she learn anything? Does he/she grow in any way? Does he/she grow in any way? Does he/she take risks? Does he/she take risks? Does he/she make sacrifices? Does he/she make sacrifices? Does he/she overcome obstacles? Does he/she overcome obstacles? Does he/she have any flaws? Does he/she have any flaws?

Why has the EPIC lasted for so long? It addresses issues that are universal, can apply to any time and culture. It addresses issues that are universal, can apply to any time and culture. It is considered a “classic.” It is considered a “classic.” Everyone wants to be a “hero.” Everyone wants to be a “hero.” An epic includes adventure which appeals to a variety of ages. An epic includes adventure which appeals to a variety of ages. The epic is often a “blockbuster” that draws in audiences and money! The epic is often a “blockbuster” that draws in audiences and money!

Now a little something extra… One thing a lot of epics have… PARODIES! One thing a lot of epics have… PARODIES! – Spaceballs – Monty Python and the Holy Grail – Epic Movie