INTRODUCTION to EPIC POETRY An epic poem has

INTRODUCTION to EPIC POETRY

An epic poem has… W a hero who embodies national, cultural, or religious ideals W a hero upon whose actions depends the fate of his people W a course of action in which the hero performs great and difficult deeds

An epic poem has… W a recognition of -- or intercession by -- divine powers or supernatural W a concern with eternal human problems W a dignified and elaborate poetic style

Important “Primary” Epics WIliad* (Greek) / Aeneid (Latin) WOdyssey (Greek) / Ulysses (Latin) WGilgamesh (Babylonian) WExodus (Hebrew) WBeowulf * (Anglo-Saxon)

What do these primary epics have in common? W Each began as part of a culture’s oral tradition W ORAL TRADITION socio/cultural values transferred generation-to-generation by traveling poets/bards who sang songs about cultural heroes and values W POETRY because rhyme/meter is easier to memorize and more

What is Epic Poetry? Long narrative poem W Written in an elevated/formal style W Celebrates the deed of a legendary hero or god W

The Iliad W “written” by Homer around (c. ) 720 B. C. W Homer did not invent the story, but transcribed it into its longest-lasting form W All versions we read are translated from ancient Greek language – Translations can vary greatly W Called Iliad because “Ilium” was the Greek name for Troy – where the war took place. “Iliad”

The Trojan War (c. 1250 B. C. ) Causes Nuclear weapons? No! Treaty violations? No! Imperial aggression? No! Trade dispute? No! A WOMAN!

The Trojan War 1184 BC/ 800 BC (written) W Main topic of The Iliad by Homer W W W and latter The Aeneid by Virgil Achaeans vs. Trojans (10 yrs. ) Helen of Troy abducted by Paris Achilles obtains from war in 10 th yr. kills Hector the Trojan Prince Wooden horse City captured Helen returned to Menelaus

Epic of Gilgamesh 2500 BC W 11 Clay Tablets (story) 12 th Tells of his ruling the netherworld W Most important epic poem in human history W Various adventures of hero-king searching for immortality W An account of the flood W Characters Gilgamesh (2/3 god & 1/3 human) Enkidu (wild man)

The Odyssey 800 BC W Tale of Odysseus W 10 yrs. in Trojan War W 10 yrs. to get home W Presumed dead wife Penelope fighting off suitors W Consists of 24 books More about this one later…

Literary Devices W Alliteration-- repetition of of similar sounds especially initial consonant or stressed syllable (eg. Peter Piper picked a pair of pickled peppers]) W Metaphor- comparison between two similar things W Simile- Comparison using “like or as”

Literary Devices Cont. W Epithet- brief phrase characterizes a person place or thing (eg. “the Lord of all Life”, “the Rule of glory, ” “the Lord of heaven and earth”) W Kenning- two-word metaphorical name for something (eg. “sea-road” for ocean [30, line 239])

Literary Elements W Internal Conflict- Struggle that takes place within the mind of a character who is torn between opposing feelings and desires W External Conflict- When a character struggles against some outside force… Person, nature, society, or fate.

Journal Life is full of conflicts. For each of the types of conflict write a paragraph that gives details about your personal experience.

Villians Journal Entry: Make a chart like the one below and fill it in with examples from today’s villains. Villainou Enemie Powers/ s s Abilities Deeds Plots

Heroes Journal Entry: Make a chart like the one below and fill it in with examples from today’s heroes. Heroic Deeds Enemie Powers/ Virtues s Abilities