1. Epic Poetry Obj: I will learn the elements of an epic poem

2. What is an Epic
An epic is a long narrative poem celebrating the adventures and achievements of a hero... epics deal with the traditions, mythical or historical, of a nation.

3. Characteristics of the Epic Poem
Main character: larger than life hero, often subject of legend or a national hero
Hero is charged with a quest
He is tested, often to prove worthiness.
Often presence of mythical helpers or beings

4. Characteristics - Continued
Hero’s travels can take him all over the world or to mythical places
There is usually a low point where the hero almost gives up
A resurrection
Restitution. Takes his rightful place

5. The Illiad
The poem concerns events during the tenth and final year in the siege of the city of Ilion or Troy, by the Greeks.

6. The Odyssey
The poem is, in part, a sequel to Homer’s Iliad and mainly centers on the Greek hero Odysseus and his long journey home to Ithaca following the fall of Troy. It takes Odysseus ten years to reach his kingdom of Ithica after the ten-year Trojan War.

7. Gilgamesh
The essential story revolves around the relationship between Gilgamesh, a king who has become distracted and disheartened by his rule, and a friend, Enkidu, who is half-wild and who undertakes dangerous quests with Gilgamesh. Much of the epic focuses on Gilgamesh’s thoughts of loss following Enkidu’s death.

8. Processing Divide your left side into eight squares.
You will make a flow map or cartoon of a story that follows the epic cycle.
Label each cycle and explain what the hero is doing.
Then draw a picture of what is happening.