1. Literary Terms/Devices
Epic: a long narrative poem that traces or follows the adventures of a hero
Epic Hero: legendary figure who illustrates what is important to a culture or nation of people

2. Myth
A traditional story that is rooted in a particular culture, is religious in nature, and usually serves to explain a belief, ritual, or a mysterious natural phenomenon.

3. Monomyth
A pattern and trajectory of stories that is common across all cultures and religions- also known as the “hero’s journey”
Comprised of three main stages: separation, initiation, and return
Usually includes a symbolic death and rebirth of central character
Throughout the journey, the character transforms to a newer, improved version him/herself

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Metaphor: making a comparison between two unlike things to make an impression or impact
Example: A gull patrolling between the wave crests of the desolate sea will dip to catch a fish, and douse his wings; no higher above the whitecaps Hermes flew…

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Simile: making a comparison between two unlike things, using “like” or “as,” to make an impact
Example: Now Zeus the lord of the cloud roused in the north a storm against the ships, and driving veils of squall moved down like night on land and sea

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Foreshadowing: giving a hint or a clue as to what is going to happen later in the story…a clue to future events

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Imagery: highly descriptive language that appeals to one or more of the five senses (sight, sound, taste, touch, smell)
Example: “Eyelid and lash were seared; the pierced ball hissed broiling, and the roots popped.”

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Personification: a type of figurative language in which a nonhuman/nonliving subject is given human/living characteristics
Example: “When the young Dawn with fingertips of rose lit up the world…”

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Symbol: a symbol (symbolism) is anything that stands for or represents something else. An object that is a symbol has its own meaning, but it also represents abstract ideas.

10. Epithet
An adjective or descriptive phrase that is regularly used to characterize a person, place, or thing.
Examples: honest Abe, America the beautiful, gray-eyed Athena, wine-dark sea, Zeus the lord of the cloud

11. Allusion
Reference to a statement, a person, a place, or an event from literature, history, religion, mythology, politics, sports, science, or pop culture.
For an allusion to be effective, it relies upon shared knowledge between the author and the audience.

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Protagonist: main character in a literary work
Antagonist: a character or force in conflict with a main character or protagonist