1. The Epic

2. An epic is a long narrative poem in elevated style presenting characters of high position in adventures forming an organic whole through their relation to a central heroic figure and through their development of episodes important to the history of a nation or race.

3. Epics originated from the scattered work of various unknown poets in the oral tradition, and through gradual accretion these episodes were molded into an ordered sequence.

4. The epic poem is the product of a single genius who gives it structure and expression.

5. Epics without certain authorship are called folk epics. Epics without certain authorship are called folk epics. Epics with certain authorship written for a scholarly purpose are called art epics. Epics with certain authorship written for a scholarly purpose are called art epics.

6. Common Characteristics: The hero is a figure of imposing stature, of national or international importance, of great historical or legendary significance. The hero is a figure of imposing stature, of national or international importance, of great historical or legendary significance. The setting is vast, covering great nations, the world, or the universe. The setting is vast, covering great nations, the world, or the universe.

7. The action consists of deeds of great valor or requiring supernatural courage. The action consists of deeds of great valor or requiring supernatural courage. Supernatural forces—gods, angels, demons—interest themselves in the action and intervene from time to time. Supernatural forces—gods, angels, demons—interest themselves in the action and intervene from time to time. A style of sustained elevation and grand simplicity is used. A style of sustained elevation and grand simplicity is used. The epic poet recounts the deeds of the heroes with a measure of objectivity. The epic poet recounts the deeds of the heroes with a measure of objectivity.

8. Common Epic Devices: The poet opens by stating the theme The poet opens by stating the theme The poet invokes a muse The poet invokes a muse The poet opens in medias res The poet opens in medias res The poet uses catalogs The poet uses catalogs The poet uses extended informal speeches by the main characters The poet uses extended informal speeches by the main characters The poet uses epic simile The poet uses epic simile

9. Epic question: The request or question addressed to the muse at the beginning of an epic poem-- the answer is the narrative of the work.

10. Epic simile: An elaborate comparison. It is very involved and ornate and long.

11. “And he stalked as a mountain lion exultant in his power strides through wind and rain and his eyes blaze and he charges sheep or oxen or chases wild deer but his hunger drives him on to go for flocks, even to raid the best-defended homestead. So Odysseus moved out… about to mingle with all those lovely girls, naked now as he was, for the need drove him on, a terrible sight, all crusted, caked with brine—they scattered in panic down the jutting beaches.”