The Epic HeroCharacteristics of the EpicHomer and The Odyssey

The Epic… It’s Big

Define an epic:A long narrative poem that traces the adventures of a hero. Told by a narrator.

Setting: setting is huge, and may involve a good deal of travel

The main character:Capable of being a hero

The action includes:Extraordinary deeds.

The purpose:

To entertain and to inspire with examples of how individuals overcome great odds.

Who else is involved?

Gods and supernatural beings are involved in the action.

How does an epic usually start or open?

It opens with the poet making an invocation, or prayer, for inspiration from the muse of epic poetry.

CALLIOPE Muse of Eloquence and heroic

Poetry. Her name means fine voice, and she is depicted with stylus and tablets. She was the chief of the muses.

                               

The beginning of the tale:

Told “in media res” (“in the middle of things”)

The narrative includes:

Speeches by main characters – including gods and antagonists of the epic hero – which reveal their personalities.

What is the mood of the epic?

Serious, language is elevated (formal).

What else?

The use of figurative language (like personification and similes) makes the narrative vivid and exciting.

The Epic Hero

Label the characteristics

on Harry the Hero.

Epic Hero: Harry the Hero(Label ALL characteristics on your notes, even though your hero looks different.)

 

Crafty

Faces his enemies

Questions his own capabilitiesHas a mentor/guide

EmotionalInnate sense of justice (right and wrong)

Flawed: Has a weakness in character or personality

Journey

Outside mainstream world or culture

The Epic Hero

Arete – The striving for excellence both physically and mentally. Strength and intelligence – who could ask for more?

Hubris – excessive pride or arrogance; a sin to the gods.

Iliad and Odyssey

Composed in 800 B.C.Told orally for many generationsHomer, a blind poet, gets the creditIliad

Tell the story of the Trojan WarBattle lasts for 10 yearsOdysseus comes up with the idea of the Trojan

Horse.

The Odyssey

Odysseus’s adventures home from Trojan War

Leaves Troy with 12 ships and 720 menHe encounters monsters enchanting

women while trying to get home.Odysseus has great strength and

courage, he is also crafty, guile tricks he uses to get himself out of difficult

situations.

The Gods ….

Odysseus’s return to Ithaca contains instances of divine interference.

Odysseus has Athena on his side, but he has displeased the gods on the side of Troy.

Odysseus then angers other gods during his travels back to Ithaca.

As a result, he is forced to suffer many hardships before he returns home.

Cyclops and Circe

CyclopsA race of one-eyed giantsLive solitary lives as shepherdsPolyphemus, son of Poseidon

CirceGoddess and enchantress who lives on the

island of Aeaea.Turns Odysseus’s men into swine.Circe falls in love with Odysseus.

S2 and C2

SirensPart woman, part birdSea nymphs who lure sailors to steer their

ships toward the rocksScylla

Six headed sea monster who devours sailorsCharybdis

Monster who forms a dangerous whirlpool three times a day.

CalypsoSea Goddess who keeps Odysseus for 7 years.

Penelope and Telemachus

PenelopeWife of OdysseusWaited for him for 20 yearsForced to agree to wed a suitorWeaves a shroud for father-in-lawWeaves all day, pulls it out at night

TelemachusSon of OdysseusWas an infant when Odysseus left for the

Trojan War

The Suitors

Live in Odysseus’s palaceConsume his wealth with feastsAntinous

Leader of the suitors of Penelope

EurymachusSecond leader of the suitors