Transcript The Epic

What are the
qualities of an
epic?
What does it mean for
something to be
“epic”?
BIG?
POETIC?
HEROIC?
It
is all of the above.
An epic is a long narrative
poem about a serious
subject.
Its purpose is to teach, to
inspire, and to entertain.
 Written
by Homer, a Greek poet,
around 750 B.C.
24-book
long “sequel” to the
Iliad. Takes place after 10-year
Trojan War
Main character is
Odysseus, king of
Ithaca. He is trying to
get back home. How
long will it take him?
Long
narrative poem.
Speaker is a narrator.
The setting is expansive
(like a sea, region, the
world, or the universe).
The
main character is usually a
hero or is capable of being
heroic.
The action includes
extraordinary or superhuman
deeds.
Gods or supernatural beings
take a part, or an interest, in
the action.
It
has an invocation.
The narrator begins telling
the tale in the “middle.”
Speeches are made by
principal characters.
The style is formal (not
conversational).
A
request to a muse to
provide inspiration.
Who are the muses?
The nine goddesses who
preside over the arts and
sciences and inspire those
who show talent in these
areas.
What
are the three
purposes of an epic?
What can we expect
to see in The Odyssey
if it is an epic?
What
are some
modern-day examples
of epics? (Help:
Throw out the poem
qualification.)
Epic
hero?
Epic
hero?
Epic
hero?
 The
main character in a literary work who
has courageous qualities.
The
action centers on
the hero.
His or her goal is to
save his or her nation or
its people during a time
of crisis.
It
is usually the job
of the epic hero to
appease the gods and
subdue monsters.
They
have the ability to
create and destroy.
 God
of sunlight,
music, poetry,
medicine, law,
and tending of
the flocks and
herds. PHEW!
 What’s his other
name?
Daughter
of
Zeus and the
goddess of
wisdom, skills,
and warfare
who helps her
chosen
heroes.
King
of gods
 Or
“Between the devil and the deep blue
sea”
 This is where we get these idioms.
“Phil-”
means “love” or
“friend”
“-xenia” is the Greek word
for “stranger” or “foreign.”
What does “philoxenia”
mean and how does it
connect to “The Odyssey”?
Phaeacians?
Lotus
Eaters?
Cyclops?
Calypso and Circe?
What does
“philosophical” mean?
 PHILOSOPHICAL
CHAIRS TOPIC:
Odysseus
is the
epitome of an
effective leader.
What
is the name of the
Greek gods’ heavenly
abode?
It really exists! Kind of…
What
is a curse? What
roles do curses play in
“The Odyssey”?
An
expressed wish for a
misfortune to fall upon
some person, place or
thing.
Philoxenia
exists in
American
society.
still
Philoxenia
should
be used more in
today’s world.
What
is the climax of
a plot?
The
turning
point of a story.
In
“The Most Dangerous
Game”?
“The Necklace”?
“The Cask of Amontillado”?
To Kill a Mockingbird?
 Think
about a person who is close to
you. Now imagine that something
has happened to make you not
believe that this person is who the
person says he or she is.
 What type of proof would the person
have to show you to make you
believe?
20 points added to lowest 100 point assignment.
 Attend the musical at 7 p.m. on
May 18th or 19th.
 Get program signed by Mrs. Spikes or Ms.
Valentine.
 Write a one-page review of the play. (For
example: Give positive or negative criticism on
the acting, music, set, etc. Summarize the plot,
write about your favorite scenes…)
 Odyssey Test, Legends Test, and Book
Report…hmm….

 Review
PowerPoint notes about what an epic
and an epic hero is.
 Know the gods (like Zeus and Athena),
monsters, immortals (Tiresias and Calypso)
AND humans (like Penelope, Laertes [think
book], his mother [think movie], and
Agamemnon).
 Know the timeline (like when he went to the
Phaeacians and how long his journey was).
 Review key terms like invocation.
 http://www.cleanvideosearch.com/media/a
ction/yt/watch?videoId=c-7_8y-McL
o