EXPLORING THE GENRE

Great legends develop in every culture, reflecting the history and beliefs of the people who create them. These timeless stories serve two purposes:

1. they explain the important events in the history of a people

2. they shape these events into a memorable and heroic form.

The various tales of different cultures become identifying marks. People of other cultures can read these stories and sense how the culture was shaped and what figures and issues are central to its history. These stories are often orally transmitted by bards or professional poets. Some details have changed, but the essential elements remain the same.

Who is thisand where isit from?

1. Epic- a long narrative poem about the deeds of gods or heroes in war or travel

2. Legend- a widely told story about the past that may or may not have a foundation in fact. Most legends have some basis in history, but the details may have become lost or obscured through centuries of retelling and embellishment.

Prentice Hall Literature

1. Larger-than-life hero

2.2. Virtues as well as failiVirtues as well as failings are ngs are revealedrevealed

3.3. The Hero Cycle*The Hero Cycle*

4.4. Vast SettingsVast Settings

5.5. Courageous DeedsCourageous Deeds

6.6. Supernatural or Spiritual BeingsSupernatural or Spiritual Beings

7. Story begins in media res8. An Invocation (The Iliad, The Odyssey, Star

Wars)

9.Histories and descriptions of significant items

10.Epic similes11.Epithets

12.Journey to theunderworld

13.Use of the number three(3)14.Previous episodes in the story are later recounted - Flashback

15.Provides an explanation for some of the circumstances

or events in the history of a people

The Iliad The OdysseyBeowulfThe Epic of GilgameshStar Wars SeriesIndiana Jones SeriesThe Lion KingThe MatrixFinding Nemo

The Harry Potter SeriesThe Harry Potter Series

The Lord of the Rings SeriesThe Lord of the Rings Series

What is an epic?How does it differ from other types of storytelling?

How have epics traditionally been transmitted from generation to generation?

How do the tellers remember these long and complicated stories?

What are the elements of an epic?

Strategies for Reading Epics and Legends:

An author’s attitude is the way they feel about a subject. It is reflected in the way that characters and events are presented. Notice the details and events in the writing and think about the message that is being conveyed-either directly or indirectly.

2. Compare and Contrast2. Compare and Contrasta.One character’s behavior and actions to others in the story

b.One epic or legend with another to determine which themes or ideas are universal and which are unique to a culture