Epics and Epic Heroes

What is an Epic?What is an Epic?

EpicEpic – a long narrative piece that celebrates a hero’s deeds. Oral in tradition, dating back to preliterate periods, based in historical fact, performed by storytellers.

Traits of an Epic HeroTraits of an Epic Hero

Brave (spiritual and physical)/CourageousLoyal (service to a good leader & to his soldiers)GenerousWise (intelligent about war and nature)Strong (internally & externally)Pious (toward a god/God)

• The hero, usually male, is of noble birth or high position, and often of great historical or legendary importance.

• The hero’s character traits reflect important ideals of his society.

• The hero performs courageous—sometimes even superhuman—deeds that reflect the values of the era.

• The actions of the hero often determine the fate of a nation or group of people.

• The author uses formal diction and a serious tone. • Major characters often deliver long, formal speeches. • The plot is complicated by supernatural beings or events and

may involve a long and dangerous journey through foreign lands.

• The piece reflects timeless values, such as courage and honor. • The piece treats universal themes, such as good and evil or life

and death.

Traits of an Epic & its HeroTraits of an Epic & its Hero

Common elements such as situations, characters, or images that appear again and again in literature and art in many different cultures.  One common archetype is the struggle between the forces of good and evil.

Ex: Robin Hood (robs rich to help poor)

Archetypes

Examples of ArchetypalCharacters

• The Hero– Beowulf, Batman, Robin Hood, Luke Skywalker

• The Wise Old Man– Merlin, Gandalf, Dumbledore, Mr. Miyagi

• The Trickster– Ferris Bueller, Bugs Bunny

• The Ill-Fated Lovers– Romeo & Juliet, Tristan & Isolde, Tony & Maria

• The Sidekick– Little John, Robin, The Sundance Kid

The Epic of Gilgamesh may be the oldest quest story in existence.

quest story - a kind of story that is common to many cultures. In a quest story, a hero goes on a journey and tries to achieve a goal, such as bringing back a valuable object or acquiring knowledge.

Usually, a quest hero has special powers or special friends that help (or hinder) him or her on the journey.

As you read this story, notice what powers and friends Gilgamesh has and what roles they play in his quest.

The Epic of Gilgamesh

• Scholars believe that Gilgamesh was a Sumerian king who ruled over Uruk around 2700 B.C.

• Following his death, stories circulated orally and tales of his adventures grew.

• Over centuries, Gilgamesh grew into a legendary hero.

• The oldest written story of Gilgamesh is on 11 tablets that were unearthed in 1849, revealing a story of a great flood, like the one described in Genesis, but much older. None of the 11 tablets have been completely restored.

Literary Significance of Gilgamesh

This epic does not have a single author; stories were told and handed down by Sumerians for hundreds of years; the Babylonians conquered Sumerians and inherited the Sumerian tradition.  A Babylonian author took these oral stories and created a unified epic about the Sumerian king (Gilgamesh).

The Epic of Gilgamesh is considered the finest surviving epic poem from any period until the appearance of Homer’s Iliad.

Prologue: Serves to state the purpose of the narrative and introduction to Gilgamesh, king of Uruk.

Literary context

  Sumerians and Babylonians had schools of scribes who created essays, proverbs, dialogues, myths, hymns, etc. 

Babylonians added the prologue and the flood story and emphasized the friendship between Gilgamesh and Enkidu. 

They also provided the central theme, the search for immortality.

Before you read, you should Before you read, you should know…know…

The Epic of Gilgamesh is divided into 2 parts:

• In the first part of the story, Gilgamesh (who is 2 parts god, 1 part human) explores his godlike side, and the super-human powers he has.

• In the second part of the story, Gilgamesh explores the human side of his character and the limitations that come with being human.

Connect to Life

In this story the main character experiences a loss that he finds hard to accept.

Think of some disappointments or defeats that you have experienced - for example, moving away from friends to a new town or breaking up with a boyfriend or girlfriend.

In each case, how easy was it to accept the situation?

Cast of characters

Gilgamesh

Enkidu

Scorpion Man

Utnapishtim

The godsThe gods

Enlil – god of the wind

Ea – god of water

Tonight’s homework: Tonight’s homework:

Read Read The Epic of Gilgamesh The Epic of Gilgamesh in your in your text (p. 32 – 46) and complete the text (p. 32 – 46) and complete the Reading Guide (online/handout).Reading Guide (online/handout).

Post-Reading:Post-Reading:The Epic of Gilgamesh The Epic of Gilgamesh Discussion QuestionsDiscussion Questions

1. What are some examples of the traits of an epic that appear in The Epic of Gilgamesh? (Name 4-5)

2. What are the positive aspects of mortal life?

3. What are the drawbacks to being mortal?

4. What immortal traits are evident in Gilgamesh’s character?

5. What mortal traits are evident in Gilgamesh?