EPIC HEROES Vocabulary Language Arts

Epic NounNoun A long narrative poem or story about the deeds and adventures of heroic or legendary figures or the history of a nationA long narrative poem or story about the deeds and adventures of heroic or legendary figures or the history of a nation Example: BeowulfExample: Beowulf

Epic Hero Noun Noun A brave and noble character in an epic, who often represents the values of a nation or group A brave and noble character in an epic, who often represents the values of a nation or group

Epic hero Cycle Noun Noun The epic hero usually undertakes a quest or journey to achieve something of great value to themselves or society. The epic hero usually undertakes a quest or journey to achieve something of great value to themselves or society.

In medias res AdverbAdverb Technical term for the epic convention of beginning "in the middle of things," rather than at the very start of the story.Technical term for the epic convention of beginning "in the middle of things," rather than at the very start of the story. Example : In both Beowulf and The Iliad, the reader starts in the middle of the story.Example : In both Beowulf and The Iliad, the reader starts in the middle of the story.

Archetype NounNoun A recurring symbol in literature, art, or mythology.A recurring symbol in literature, art, or mythology. In literature, there are situation archetypes, setting archetypes, symbolic archetypes and character archetypes.In literature, there are situation archetypes, setting archetypes, symbolic archetypes and character archetypes.