What the heck are they???

What is an Epic?

a. Long, narrative poems b. Originally passed down by word

of mouth over several generations.c. Centered around a heroic figure d. The hero’s actions determine the

fate of a tribe, a nation, or even the human race.

The Epic Heroa. Is of noble birth (related toa king) and/or of high social status (people admire him)b. Reflects values that are important to his societyc. Displays courageous or super-human deedsd. Is of imposing physical stature and is greater than the common man.

a. The setting covers great distances

b. Supernatural forces shape the action

c. Conflict in the form of combatd. A central heroe. Perilous (dangerous) journeysf. Elevated (formal) language.

Epic Characteristics

Continued…

Repetition is used…probably so it was easier to understand when people were passing it along

Have you ever heard of…the telephone game?

Additional characteristics (These may or may not be present.)

1. The theme is stated immediately.2. A muse is invoked.3. The story opens “in media res” or

in the middle of the action.4. There are often long lists of

objects, people, and places.5. There are extended formal

speeches.

A Muse: Daughters of Zeus, goddesses of fine arts who provide creative

inspiration. Most epic poems open by stating the theme and invoking a Muse to inspire and instruct the poet. At the

beginning of The Odyssey Homer asks the Muse to tell him a story.

Opening Lines: The OdysseySing in me, Muse, and through me tell

the storyOf that man skilled in all ways of

contending,The wanderer, harried for years on

end, After he plundered the stronghold

On the proud height of Troy.

Cont’d6. Use of the epic simile

- Homer’s are very ornate and complicated. (Author of the Odyssey)

- Just as a lion is beset by doubt and fear when he’s surrounded by a crowd of hunters closing in-a cunning ring-so was Penelope, while pondering, beset.”

Types of EpicsFolk Epics•Developed orally•Authors are unknown•Later written down•Sometimes began as songs

Beowulf (Anglo-Saxon)Mahabharata (Indian)The Song of Roland (French)

Types of Epics

Literary Epics•Created by known poets•Poets used a specific format

The IliadThe OdysseyAeneidParadise Lost

Our focus of this unit will be reading the folk epic, Beowulf. While reading the story, pay attention to the characteristics that make it an epic, and take note of the traits of the main character, Beowulf, that make him an epic hero.