1.  Have you ever heard someone say that something was of “epic importance?” Have you ever read a history book that labeled World War II as a battle of “epic proportion?”  What do you think the word “epic” means in these phrases? Write down 2-3 sentences in which you try to define the word “epic” as it’s used above.  Be prepared to share your response.

2.  Watch the following video clip.  The scene is considered to be “epic” in many sense of the word.  Why do you think this scene could accurately be described as epic? What about the scene fits your understanding of the word?

3. Epic Poems

4.  An epic is a “long, narrative [tells a story] poem about the deeds of a hero or gods.”  Poet begins by announcing the subject and asking a Muse, one of the nine goddesses of the arts, literature, and sciences, for help.  There are several characteristics used to classify and describe an epic poem…

5.  The action involves a long, dangerous journey and fantastic deeds and adventures.

6.  The setting of an epic is large in scale.  Odysseus wanders the entire Mediterranean and even visits the Underworld.

7.  Supernatural beings play an important role in an epic.  For example, the gods and goddesses (such as Poseidon, Athena, and Zeus) are key characters in The Odyssey.

8.  The protagonist (hero) is always a figure of national importance.  Odysseus is the king of Ithaca and a respected leader.  The main characters of an epic (the epic hero) were often held up as examples of people who had ideal human qualities.

9.  An epic is based, in part, on historical fact, but it also uses myths (stories that show the relationship between people and the unknown, or spiritual, realm).

10.  Epics start in media res (in the middle of things) rather than at the beginning.  The Odyssey begins when Odysseus is nearly back at home in Ithaca.

11.  The style of writing is formal and grand to fit the importance of the subject matter.

12.  Epics assign short phrases (epithets) to individual characters to describe them.  For example, Odysseus is called “the master strategist” and “the great tactician.”

13.  Epics usually contain 24 books.  The full version of The Odyssey follows this pattern.