1. The Epic
A Heroic Tale

2. Modern Epics The Incredible Journey Star Wars The Wizard of Oz
The Lord of the Rings Trilogy
Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade
Star Wars
The Wizard of Oz
Adventures of Huckleberry Finn

3. What Is an Epic?
An epic is a long story told in elevated language (usually poetry), which relates the great deeds of a larger-than-life hero who embodies the values of a particular society.
Epics often include elements of myth, legend, folk tale, and history.
Two Types:
Folk Epic: told orally and changed over time
Literary Epic: Written down and did not change
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4. How Were Epics Told? Epics were told orally.
They followed basic story lines and incorporated formulaic descriptions.
Most of the words were improvised to fit a particular rhythm or meter.
Poets traveled from community to community, singing their stories.
Longer stories, such as the Odyssey, were probably told over a period of several days.

5. Homer’s Epics
Homer’s Iliad and Odyssey are the best-known epics in Western civilization.
All epic poems in the Western world owe something to the basic patterns established in these two epics.
The Iliad is the primary model for the epic of war.
The Odyssey is the model for the epic of the long journey.
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© clipart.com

6. Characteristics of Epics
Epics usually include
a physically beautiful hero of national or historical importance
Odysseus is a war hero.
a vast setting involving much of the known physical world and sometimes the land of the dead as well
During his journey home, Odysseus travels to several locations and even visits the underworld.

7. Characteristics of Epics
Epics usually include
action such as a quest or journey taken in search of something of value
Odysseus is trying to return home to his wife and son.
evidence of supernatural forces at work
Greek gods, goddesses, monsters, and other characters from Greek mythology play an important role in the Odyssey.

8. Characteristics of Epics
Epics usually include
glorification of the hero at the end
Odysseus restores order to his house and is welcomed home by his wife and family.
rooted in a specific culture and society
The Odyssey reflects the beliefs and values of the culture of ancient Greece.
An Invocation: the first 12 lines when the poet, or narrator, begins by asking for assistance from the Gods in telling the story
The Odyssey begins with Homer asking the Muses (the daughters of Zeus) to help him tell Odysseus’ story

9. Characteristics of an Epic Hero
Super-human qualities
Odysseus is smarter/more clever than others
Tragic Flaw: still human and has a flaw/weakness that leads to their downfall
Odysseus has too much pride and it causes him to make poor decisions
Must conquer many difficult tasks
Odysseus has to think his way around many obstacles
On a quest for something of great value (to him or his people)
Odysseus is trying to get home to Ithica
Villain(s) try to keep the hero from his quest
Different Gods/Goddesses/Monsters interfere with Odysseus as he tries to get home

10. Steps in the Epic Hero’s Journey
1. Call to adventure and/or quest for identity or duty 2. Leaves home for a long period of time 3. Journey consists of difficult tasks 4. Hero must depend on his wit 5. Journey leads to a transformation or self-realization 6. Hero regains his rightful place in society

11. Epic (Homeric) Simile
A simile is a comparison of two things using like or as. An EPIC SIMILE is a longer, more detailed simile that can go on for several lines. Example: “And Odysseus let the bright molten tears run down his cheeks, weeping [like] the way a wife mourns for her lord on the lost field where he has gone down fighting the day of wrath that came upon his children . . .”

12. Epithet
An epithet is a brief descriptive phrase that helps to characterize a person or thing.
Example: “Son of Laertes and the gods of old, Odysseus, master mariner and soldier. . .”
Epithets were used to give story telling a musical effect.

13. The Greek Virtues
All Greeks were challenged to live by the virtues set by their culture. Breaking one of the Greek virtues meant angering the gods. The virtues are:
Loyalty
Hospitality
Respect for the gods and goddesses
Respect for all forms of life
Courage

14. Paris & Helen (from the movie Troy)
Background info
Trojan War (1200 B.C.) Legend: war began after Paris (prince of Troy) kidnapped Helen (most beautiful woman in the world) from her husband, Menelaus (king of Sparta) Menelaus built an army to get back his wife and restore his pride Odysseus was a soldier in this army
Paris & Helen (from the movie Troy)

15. Background info Odysseus = King of Ithaca
The Greeks battled the Trojans for 10 years, but had little success
Odysseus thought of a plan to trick the Trojans into thinking that the Greeks forfeited
The Trojan Horse
Gave the Greeks access into the city
The Greeks defeated the Trojans

16. **This journey takes 10 years and is the subject of The Odyssey.**
In The Odyssey, Homer starts by telling about the last days of the Trojan War
Because Odysseus was instrumental in Troy’s destruction, he angered the gods who were sympathetic to Troy
The gods vow that he will have a long and difficult journey home.
**This journey takes 10 years and is the subject of The Odyssey.**

17. PART ONE
A story of what happens in Ithaca to Odysseus’ wife (Penelope) and son (Telemachus) as they await his return

18. PART TWO
A story of Odysseus’ wanderings after the Trojan War (the war lasted 10 years and his wanderings lasted another 10 years!)

19. PART THREE
A story of how Odysseus returns home to Ithaca and joins forces with his son to destroy his enemies