1. I Know My Epic Characteristics

2. Call to the Muse The poet asks for divine inspiration from the Muses to help him tell his story “Tell me the tale, Muse, of that man of many changes,...”

3. In Medias Res The action of the epic begins in the middle of the story Book 1 of The Odyssey is about Telemachus, a young man, going in search of his father who has never returned from the Trojan War

4. Flashback An interruption of the story to recall an incident that happened earlier Odysseus tells King Alcinous about his adventures after the Trojan War while trying to return to Ithaca

5. Catalogs A listing of a character’s ancestors... when a character’s background is given “I am Odysseus, great Laertes’ son,...”

6. Hospitality Code The custom of taking care of guests and warriors Alcinous takes care of Odysseus, giving him food and a place to stay

7. Boasting The hero brags about past accomplishments to gain respect “If, O Cyclops, a mortal man shall ever ask you how it befell your eye was blinded so hideously answer thus: it was Odysseus blinded you...”

8. Divine Intervention The gods get involved in human affairs Poseidon

9. Visit to Hades The hero takes a trip to the underworld

10. Stock Phrase Overused, descriptive phrases that help the poet memorize his work

11. Exaggeration The hero’s abilities are larger than life, exaggerated to epic proportions

12. Epithets Descriptive phrases that characterize a person

13. Epic Hero Traits Strength, battle skills Courage, bravery Authoritative, leadership Loyalty, trustworthy Determination, persistence, dedication Intelligence, wisdom, cleverness