1. THE EPIC
English 9CP

2. WHAT DOES “EPIC” MEAN? Epic
A long, narrative poetic composition, usually centered upon a hero, in which a series of great achievements or events is narrated.
The Odyssey is an epic poem

3. THE ODYSSEY AS AN EPIC POEM
An epic poem is a narrative poem.
Narrative poetry: a form of poetry that tells a story
It often makes use of the voices of a narrator and characters as well
The entire story is usually written in metered verse

4. QUALITIES OF EPIC POEMS

5. QUALITIES OF EPIC POEMS7
WHAT the story is about
“In medias res”
Vast setting
Battles and action
Epic Similes
Alliteration
Kenning
Light and Dark Imagery
HOW the story is written

6. “IN MEDIAS RES” “In medias res” In the middle of things
The plot will open in the MIDDLE of the action.
The narrator will go back and explain previous events.

7. VAST SETTING
The setting is vast, and covers great nations of the world

8. BATTLES AND ACTION
There are battle scenes, warriors, armies and ships.

9. He was like a lion in battle, roaring at the enemy
EPIC SIMILES
Simile
When two things are compared using like or as
Her hair was as soft as silk
The cafeteria was as loud as a baseball stadium
Epic Simile
Long, extended similes used to add exaggerated imagery
He was like a lion in battle, roaring at the enemy

10. ALLITERATION
Repetition of the beginning consonant sound of words in a sentence
The green giant grew large and growled down
Miss Bishop bet her Biology class that they would score high on the test.

11. KENNING A two-word metaphorical name for something
The sea = whale’s home

12. LIGHT AND DARK IMAGERY
Descriptions of events, people and places that make reference to light or darkness.
Dark
The darkness of mankind’s heart during war
Light
The rays of hope shined brightly on the kingdom

13. QUALITIES OF AN EPIC HERO

14. QUALITIES OF EPIC HEROES8
Larger than life
Has a flaw
Born into nobility and status
Attributes valued by society
Brave and wise
Supernatural powers
Fights and overcomes evil
Saves a group of people

15. ELEMENTS OF AN EPIC JOURNEY

16. ELEMENTS OF AN EPIC JOURNEY6
Call to adventure
Supernatural aid
Descent to “hell-like place”
Internal/External Struggle
Transformation
Temptation

17. AN INTRODUCTION TO THE ODYSSEY

18. AN INTRODUCTION… The Ancient Greeks were polytheists
Polytheism: The belief in multiple gods
Monotheism: The belief in one god
Poly = many
Mono = one

19. A little bit of background

20. LOCALE
The greatest deities (gods) lived atop Mt. Olympus

21. THE GODS The gods communicated with mortals Chose fate of heroes
Often assisted and/or hindered (hurt) the heroes

22. What do we know? THE TROJAN WAR
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23. WHO IS HOMER?

24. HOMER, THE BLIND POET Birth date: 800 B.C. Homer was illiterate
Could not read or write
His words were recited aloud to crowds
Then, later copied down and compiled into what is now the Odyssey
Some believe that Homer’s work was “improved” by additional authors during history
Others believe that Homer never lived at all