1. Epic Poetry

2. Epic Literature
Epic: a long narrative poem about the deeds of gods or heroes
Ex. Homer’s Odyssey and Iliad
Theories on the Origin of Epics
First epics were collections of various unknown poets eventually molded into one work
Most scholars believe epics may have accumulated in this way but a single genius gives it structure and expression
Folk Epics: epics without certain authorship
Beowulf

3. Common epic characteristics
Hero: super human strength, character, or intellect
Of national and international importance
Fatal/tragic flaw – leads to his demise
Ex. Achilles’ heel
Setting: vast in scope/ covers great nations, the world, the universe
Action: deeds of great valor or requiring superhuman courage
Supernatural Forces: gods, angels, demons
Involved in action
Intervene from time to time
Style: elevated (raised to a higher level)
Epic poet (scop): uses objectivity to tell narrative

4. Conventions Poet opens by stating theme
Invokes a Muse to inspire and instruct him
Opens the narrative in media res
Latin for “in the middle of things”
Catalogs – listing of warriors, ships, weapons, armies
Extended formal speeches by main characters
Epic simile: elaborate comparison of common everyday situations to heroic, supernatural situations
Ex. Comparing fishing to killing a monster
Epithet: an adjective or adjective phrase applied to a person or thing to emphasize a characteristic, quality or attribute
Ex. The man of twists and turns
Homeric Epithet: an epithet consisting of a compound adjective
Ex. Ox-eyed Hera, swift-footed Achilles, rosy-fingered dawn

5. More conventions
Narrative Drift: interrupting the narration to elaborate on an aspect of what is being spoken about
Ex. If a gift of wine is mentioned the author may then explain not only the history of the gift but the history of the giver
Meter: fixed pattern of accented and unaccented syllables in the lines of a poem that produces its pervasive rhythm
Dactylic hexameter: first five feet are dactyls (accented syllable followed by to unaccented)
Last foot is a spondee
Two accented syllables
Ex. “This is the / forest prim- / eval. The / murmuring / pines and the / hem locks,”
Translations do not include the meter
Greek version has long and short sounds

6. Major themes/Motifs Hospitality: Zeus avenges the unoffending guest
Respect for the Gods
The importance of lineage
Loyalty
Pride and honor
Resisting temptation/self-discipline
Live life to the fullest: Odysseus is an explorer
Justice/revenge: Homer sees it as justifiable
Reconciliation
Fate: Greeks great believers that we do not have control over out destinies

7. Homer Not sure if he existed Some accounts suggest he was blind
Lived some time before 700 B.C. in Asia Minor, Smyrna or Chios
Wrote in ionic and Aeloic dialects
Commonly attributed authorship of Iliad and Odyssey
The Odssey and Iliad were probably written around 8th century B.C.
Homer memorized and sung the song in a series of performances