2.  An epic is a long narrative poem that recounts the adventures of an epic hero, a larger-than-life figure who undertakes a great journey and performs deeds requiring remarkable strength and cunning.  “The Odyssey” is an example of an ancient epic poem that was originally sung, or passed down orally for generations before someone finally put it down on papyrus.

3.  Probably to explain the past and pass down cultural tradition – to educate  To promote a sense of pride in one’s people  To reach a large audience (through oral recitation) because many in the ancient world were illiterate

4.  Here are some of the major lessons that the ancient Greeks wanted to teach their children through poetry like “The Odyssey”: ◦ Respect for gods and goddesses ◦ The importance of home and family ◦ Acts of courage, strength, and leadership – honor/patriotism ◦ Concern for the welfare of others - hospitality ◦ Displays of heroism ◦ Obedience to leaders

5.  Comes from an unusual birth – sometimes royalty, or sometimes from a god or goddess  Possesses superhuman strength, craftiness, and confidence  Travels over a vast setting  Is helped and harmed by interfering gods  Embodies ideals and values that the culture considers admirable  Usually has a tragic flaw  Emerges victorious from dangerous situations

6.  Achilles (“The Iliad”)  Odysseus (“The Odyssey”)  King Arthur  Satan (“Paradise Lost”)  Darth Vader and Luke Skywalker  Aragorn  Katniss Everdeen

7.  Often begins in medias res, or in the middle of the action, and uses flashbacks to explain past events  Involves a long journey, full of complications, such as: ◦ Strange Creatures ◦ Large-Scale Events ◦ Divine Intervention ◦ Treacherous Weather

8.  Includes fantastic or exotic lands  Involves more than one nation

9.  Courage  The fate of a nation  A homecoming  Beauty  Loyalty  Life and death  Temptation  Disguise  Hospitality  Identity  Exile

10.  An epic poem often begins with an invocation, where the poet narrator starts the poem by stating the tale’s subject and asking for poetic inspiration from a guiding spirit – the Muse.  The narrator includes speeches by principle characters which reveal their personalities  The narrative’s tone and style are formal rather than conversational  The use of figurative language makes the narrative vivid and exiting for listeners and readers

11.  Epic tales have remained so popular from ancient times until now because of archetypes.

12.  They are universal  They describe experiences every human encounters  They hold the same or similar meaning for all people, in every time and place  They are recurring because they are timeless and unchanged  They can be a character, situation, or symbol

13.  Character Archetypes: ◦ The Hero ◦ The Mentor ◦ The Loyal Sidekick ◦ The Temptress

14.  Situational Archetypes : ◦ The Journey ◦ The Quest ◦ The Task ◦ Good vs. Evil

15.  Symbolic Archetypes: ◦ Supernatural Intervention ◦ Heaven vs. Hell ◦ Haven vs. Wilderness ◦ Light vs. Dark