1. English 10
In your table groups, discuss the MOST epic thing that occurred over the weekend.
(To do that, you need to establish as a group what “epic” means)

2. EPIC
Adj.  
Surpassing the usual or ordinary, particularly in scope or size: "A vast musical panorama it requires an epic musical understanding to do it justice" (Tim Page).
Noun:
An extended narrative poem in elevated or dignified language, celebrating the feats of a legendary or traditional hero.

3. Characteristics and Themes of THE EPIC

4. An epic is a long narrative poem…
one that tells the story of a great hero
It is usually lines long!

5. Epics began as stories told ORALLY; they weren’t
originally written, but memorized, and passed down
orally from generation to generation
Bards were traveling musicians and story- tellers who made their living
from their abilities as entertainers. If a bard was fortunate, he would be
liked my the nobles he entertained, and asked to stay on as the official bard
of the court. Unfortunately, i f a lord was afraid that his favorite bard
was going to leave his court, he might either lame him, or blind him (as
some believe happened to Homer) in order to make him stay. It was a
position of honor and esteem, but certainly NOT without risks!
Originally composed primarily as entertainment for nobles, the epic used very formal language, and included a great deal of descriptive language, and LOTS of action! The ancient epic was what the early people had instead of Inception on DVD.

6. The PROLOGUE A Prayer A Genealogy
Most epics begin with the “before words” -- the words
before the story, which is called a “prologue.” This usually
takes one of the two following forms:
A Prayer
asking the gods for
inspiration
praising the hero and his
adventures
A Genealogy
history of the people involved
genealogy of the hero
summary/introduction of
the crisis

7. THE STORY: The Protagonist (main character) - A HERO, usually
of noble birth; sometimes considered part deity (god)

8. The Characters - Usually noble; lower classes rarely mentioned.
Also includes supernatural beings (gods, goddesses, and
monsters)

9. The Conflict: FULL of ACTION
Good vs. Evil
The fate of a race or nation/world is at stake

10. THEMES Fate or Destiny: The lives of individuals are pre-determined
by some supernatural force or being. One could
generally expect his/her fate to be BAD
Courage and Fame: The only way to escape total doom was
to be strong and courageous. If one were courageous,
and faces destiny with bravery, s/he would be remembered
after death, and achieve immortality (fame), thus
escaping total doom

11. The Heroic Ideal: The “perfect” hero (usually the pro-
tagonist of the epic), often the king
handsome
strong and brave
wise
protects and provides for his people
skillful in battle
role model

12. The Quest: The hero frequently pursues a quest for
some virtually unattainable goal (fame or
immortality); this quest is often a metaphor
for the internal search for identity, or personal honor.
Comitatus Posse: The hero inspires great loyalty from
his followers; their relationship becomes
a “closer than blood” commitment to support
each other to the end.

13. THE EPIC OF GILGAMESH

15. The Prologue:
Begins with a brief introduction of the “hero” Gilgamesh, explaining his ideal qualities as well as his accomplishments (I.e. the city of Uruk):
handsome
strong
brave
1/3 man, 2/3 god
wise
well-traveled

16. The Story: The Conflict
We learn that Gilgamesh, initially, is NOT a “heroic ideal.” He is NOT a “protector and provider” for his people. Instead, his arrogance as king causes him to abuse his “first night rights” with newlywed brides, and his people begin to hate him because of his dissolute nature. They pray to the gods for some relief.

17. Enkidu The gods send a “distraction” to
Gilgamesh, to take his mind off of the women of Uruk. This “distraction” is Enkidu, a human of super strength, equally as beautiful as Gilgamesh, but uncorrupted by power and pride. Enkidu is brought to the city by the priestess of Ishtar, and he challenges Gilgamesh when he tries to abduct a new bride. Gilgamesh and Enkidu wrestle on the doorstep of the newlyweds, and finally realize that they are so evenly matched that the gods must have intended them to be friends rather than adversaries.

18. Their Quest
Now the best of friends, Gilgamesh and Enkidu pursue a quest for fame by going to the great cedar forest in order to kill its guardian, the monster Humbaba. At first, Enkidu is reluctant to go, and tries to talk Gilgamesh out of this quest. He knows the dangers of this monster. Gilgamesh does not want to be dissuaded, and insists that together they will be successful, or as warriors, they will die trying.

19. The Battle with Humbaba
When they finally encounter Humbaba, however, Gilgamesh
is over-whelmed with fear, and actually begins to cry, pleading
with the god Shamash to send him aid. The god does send a
windstorm, and Enkidu and Gilgamesh are able to subdue the
monster.
Humbaba tries to wheedle his way out of death, and Gilgamesh
is almost persuaded; but it is again the wise and shrewd Enkidu
recognizes the danger the monster poses, and insists that they kill
him, which they do.

20. Enlil’s Rage After beheading the monster, they present
his corpse to Enlil, who is enraged that they
have killed the guardian he had created. The
rage of the gods is further aroused when both
Gilgamesh and Enkidu reject the advances of
Ishtar who has become enamoured of them.
They insult her terribly, and she send the Bull of
Heaven in retaliation.

21. Enkidu’s Dream Gilgamesh and Enkidu are successful
in defeating this monster as well. The
gods decide to punish Gilgamesh for
his arrogance by causing Enkidu to
die, which he does, slowly and pain-
fully. As he is dying, Enkidu has a
nightmare about his own death.
He dreams he is about to hear his name read from the “Book of Death” and awakens just before he hears it, feeling like he
has just lost all of his blood, or that he is about to be led away to prison. He realizes that
death is inevitable.

22. The Quest for Eternal Life
After Enkidu dies, Gilgamesh becomes terribly depressed, and does not eat, sleep, nor bathe for six days and seven nights. When he ends this time of mourning, he embarks on a quest to find the secret of eternal life, in the hope that he will be able to restore his friend.
After many adventures, he finally
reaches the home of Utnapishtim,
“He Who Saw Life,” the only
human granted the gift of
immortality.
Utnapishtim tells him the “Story
of the Flood” which is similar to the
biblical tale of Noah.

23. The Story of the Flood Enlil, the father of the gods, had become
irritated with the humans because they
were making too much noise. He decides
to annihilate them with a flood. The god
Ea, who was friendly with Utnapishtim, warns
him in a dream or the imminent disaster.
Utnapishtim builds a boat, and he and his
wife escape.
It rains for six days and seven nights. Utna
sends out three birds to find land: a swallow,
a raven, and a dove. When the dove does not
return, he knows that land is again accessible,
and offers sacrifices to the gods.

24. The Immortality Challenge
The gods, Enlil in particular,
repent of their wrath against
the humans, and reward Utna
with immortality.
After telling his tale, Utnapishtim
challenges Gilgamesh to stay awake
for six days and seven nights, the
length of the flood. Gilgamesh brags
that he is completely capable of such
a feat, then promptly falls asleep!
Utnapishtim’s wife bakes a loaf of bread for each day Gilgamesh
sleeps.

25. The Return
When Gilgamesh awakens, he is despondent at his failure. Utnapishtim takes pity on him, and tells him of a magical thorny plant which will grant immortality to those who eat it. He suggests that Gilgamesh bathe, and then clothes him in a garment that will stay fresh and white until he returns to Uruk.

26. The Bath This bathing symbolizes for Gilgamesh both the end of
his quest for immortality
and the new person he has
become -- no longer selfish,
but accepting of his fate,
and willing to care for others.
The gods have been successful
in teaching him humility.

27. The Plant When Gilgamesh finds the magical plant, he decides to return
immediately to his home, and give it FIRST to the elders of
his city. Unfortunately, as Gilgamesh is resting, a serpent eats
the plant, and his hope for eternal life is gone forever.

28. The Walls of Uruk Gilgamesh returns to his home,
where he finishes this days
as a mortal man, ultimately
achieving immortality through
both his tale, as well as through
the enduring fame of his great
city, Uruk.