All notes for epic poetry and The Odyssey will begin on page 1194 in the purple textbook.
Characteristics of the Epic
An epic is more than a good adventure story; an epic has an outcome that affects an entire nation or even the world. Its scale is vast, covering many countries or worlds. The hero may have super-human abilities but still has human flaw. Such flaws make the hero more appealing than a perfect character, because the audience can identify with him. What are five characteristics of an epic? Use the map below to represent your findings. Look at the chart labeled “The Epic at a Glance.”
Characteristics of the Epic: Application
Using the excerpt titled “Book 4: The Red-Haired King and His Lady” on pg. 1195, answer the first close read question (located on the right side).
1. ______(line ___ ) & ______(line ___ )
a. Hint 1: traits are shown in many different ways: through actions, words, and other people’s descriptions.
b. Hint 2: Look at what Menelaus mentions in lines 2 and 4. Also, the king praises Odysseus in line 23.
The Language of Homer
(on pg. 1196) For Homer, and many other Greek poets, every word served the purpose of entertaining the audience. The Greeks built their stories with the use of epic similes, epithets, and allusions.
Epic Simile
● Like a simile, an epic simile compares two things using like or as. Epic similes, though span across several lines. (Think of it like a more detailed simile!)
● Use the excerpt from “Book 8: The Songs of the Harper” (pg. 1197) to answer the corresponding two close read questions:
○ Answer #1: ______
■ Hint - Odysseus is the subject; look for like or as!
○ Answer #2: ______
Epithet
● An epithet is a brief descriptive phrase for a particular person or thing. It serves as an “official title” for whoever or whatever it references. Create your own epithet! (Ex: Mr. Ueckert, explorer of knowledge)
______, ______
Your Name Official Title
Allusion
● Allusions refer to something famous in order to further describe an unfamiliar idea. If an author references to a person, place, or event that many people are familiar with,
○ Ex. Think of The Odyssey as The Star Wars of classic literature, which is the Lord of the Rings of classic sci-fi)
Reading the Epic
As a narrative…
● An epic is somewhat like a soap opera: a cast of characters appears in numerous episodes that address narrow plot issues yet each are part of a larger story. Therefore, you hear from a variation of characters throughout (aka different POVs).
○ Ex: Avatar: The Last Airbender consists of several, sometimes random, episodes that focus on one plot: the avatar must learn all four elements and defeat the Fire Lord.
● What is another example of a television show that has one basic premise which inspires the plots of the separate episodes?
Put it All Together
On pages 1200 and 1201, read the excerpt from “Book 14: Hospitality in the Forest.” Your task is to locate as many examples of epic writing as you can. Think about everything discussed so far (characteristics of an epic, Homer’s special language, and varying POVs). Keep in mind that Odysseus is in disguise while telling this story. Provide me with not only the quote, but also the line number. Your result should look something like this:
The specific characteristic of epic writing - “Text evidence in quotation marks” (line #).