 Setting: distant and glorious past; both natural and supernatural realm  Plot: MAJESTIC in scale – heroic battles; dangerous quests  Epic heroes are LARGER THAN LIFE; perform great deeds  Supernatural elements: hero is half-divine; gods take part in human affairs

 Poet calls upon MUSE for inspiration  Plot begins IN MEDIA RES (the middle of things)  Flashbacks are used to fill reader in  In the original language a strict metrical pattern is followed

 HONOR  THE POWER OF FATE

Literary element Descriptive words/phrases used to character persons and things Examples: “brilliant” “godlike” “the swift runner” “the headstrong runner” “the proud runner” all describe Achilles

Literary Element Also known as HOMERIC SIMILE  Comparison extents over several lines  Often increases dramatic power of passages

I knew the end then: Ilium was going down In fire, the Troy of Neptune going down, As in high mountains when the countrymen Have notched an ancient ash, then make their axes Ring with might and main, chopping away To fell the tree – ever on the point of falling, Shaken through all its foliage, and the treetop Nodding; bit by bit the strokes prevail Until it gives a final groan at last And crashes down in ruin from the height