Epic and MythEpic and Myth

•Epic-a Epic-a long narrative long narrative poempoem, written in , written in dignified dignified stylestyle, that , that celebratescelebrates the the adventures and adventures and achievementsachievements ofof one or one or more more heroic figuresheroic figures..

Elements of Epics/MythsElements of Epics/Myths

•Epic HeroEpic Hero—the —the central central charactercharacter in the epic who is in the epic who is driven by his desire to save driven by his desire to save his his country/people duringcountry/people during a time of a time of crisiscrisis..

•Archetypes: A character, image, Archetypes: A character, image, or pattern of events that appear or pattern of events that appear repeatedly. repeatedly.

Characteristic of EPICSCharacteristic of EPICS• Written in the style of a Written in the style of a long poemlong poem..• Language is Language is formal,formal, lofty. lofty.• Mood is Mood is seriousserious..• Protagonist undergoes Protagonist undergoes manymany

adventuresadventures• Gods and monsters intervene Gods and monsters intervene in actionin action• Poet uses Poet uses extended similesextended similes, called epic , called epic

similes or similes or homeric simileshomeric similes• Poem Poem begins in the middle begins in the middle of the of the

action (known as action (known as in medias resin medias res))

Epic PlotEpic Plot•Epic Epic plotplot involves the following: involves the following:

– Distant JourneysDistant Journeys– Supernatural EventsSupernatural Events– Life and Death struggles between Life and Death struggles between

good and evil.good and evil.

•Epics Epics begin with an invocation begin with an invocation (prayer) that is given to the (prayer) that is given to the muse muse (one of Zeus’s 9 (one of Zeus’s 9 daughters).daughters).

Epic HeroEpic Hero• CharacteristicsCharacteristics of an epic of an epic herohero::

– Possesses Possesses unusual strengthunusual strength– CourageousCourageous– CunningCunning

Does have a Does have a weapon of choice weapon of choice that can that can onlyonly be be used by the used by the hero—Odysseus’s weapon is his hero—Odysseus’s weapon is his BOW.BOW.

Structure of the Epic Structure of the Epic

• The The speaker tells a storyspeaker tells a story• The action included extraordinary orThe action included extraordinary or

superhuman deedssuperhuman deeds..• The hero embarks on a The hero embarks on a long journeylong journey..• Includes Includes speeches by principal speeches by principal

characterscharacters..• The use of The use of figurative language figurative language makes makes

the narrative vivid and exciting.the narrative vivid and exciting.

MythMyth

•Myth—a Myth—a traditional story traditional story with no known author. with no known author.

•Most myths are about:Most myths are about:– Creation of earthCreation of earth– LoveLove– Adventure, trickery, or Adventure, trickery, or

revengerevenge

Reading Reading Epics/MythsEpics/Myths

• Many myths began as Many myths began as oral traditions oral traditions (sung aloud by rhapsodies who travelled).(sung aloud by rhapsodies who travelled).

• Usually give Usually give insight to human natureinsight to human nature..• Explore a Explore a range of human emotionsrange of human emotions: :

anger, love, jealousy, rage, and anger, love, jealousy, rage, and vengeance.vengeance.

• Are Are timelesstimeless because they have because they have characteristics of a good story: characteristics of a good story: imaginative, interesting, inspiring, and imaginative, interesting, inspiring, and authentic.authentic.

Homer and the EpicHomer and the Epic

• HomerHomer’s most famous compositions ’s most famous compositions are are the the IliadIliad ( (story of the 10 year story of the 10 year war) and war) and the the OdysseyOdyssey (story of a long (story of a long journey).journey).

• Homer was a Homer was a blind minstrel who blind minstrel who would travel and tell of these stories.would travel and tell of these stories.

• GreeksGreeks in in the Odysseythe Odyssey are referred are referred to as to as Acheans.Acheans.

Universal ThemesUniversal Themes

•The The importance of heroismimportance of heroism•The The strength of loyaltystrength of loyalty•The The power of lovepower of love..•The The dangers of greed.dangers of greed.

Terms to knowTerms to know

• EpithetsEpithets-any -any word or phrase word or phrase applied to a person or thing to applied to a person or thing to describe an actual or attributed describe an actual or attributed quality (wily Odysseus)quality (wily Odysseus)

• Homeric SimileHomeric Simile- - Extended Extended comparison using “like” or “as”comparison using “like” or “as”

• Irony (verbal and dramatic)Irony (verbal and dramatic)

Nature Archetypes

• Water: birth-death-resurrection; creation; purification and redemption; fertility and growth.

• Rivers: death and rebirth (baptism); the flowing of time into eternity

• Sun (fire and sky are closely related): creative energy; thinking, enlightenment, wisdom, spiritual vision.– Rising sun: birth, creation,

enlightenment.– Setting sun: death

Color Archetypes

Red: blood, sacrifice, passion; disorder.

Green: growth, hope, fertility.

Blue: highly positive; secure; tranquil; spiritual purity.

Black: darkness, chaos, mystery, the unknown, death, wisdom, evil, melancholy.