that’s epic, dude!

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That’s Epic, Dude! An Introduction to The Odyssey and Homer

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That’s Epic, Dude!. An Introduction to The Odyssey and Homer. What do we mean when we say, “epic”?. An epic is a specific type of literary genre, defined as: A long, narrative poem in which everything is on a heroic and exalted scale: character, actions, language, and style. - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

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Page 1: That’s Epic, Dude!

That’s Epic, Dude!An Introduction to The Odyssey and Homer

Page 2: That’s Epic, Dude!

What do we mean when we say, “epic”?

An epic is a specific type of literary genre, defined as: A long, narrative poem in which everything is on a heroic and exalted scale: character, actions, language, and style.It comes from the Greek word “Epos” meaning “a tale.” Our next text, The Odyssey, is an epic poem.

Page 3: That’s Epic, Dude!

Characteristics of an Epic Poem

1. Plot is simple, dealing with a central incident from traditional or legendary material.

2. Theme involves universal human problems.3. Setting is remote in time and place, but of significance to

the nation’s history.4. The “hero” towers above other characters; he exemplifies

cultural traits. Supernatural actions and characters are introduced.

5. Warfare is an accepted part of life and great battles are featured.

6. The style is objective, lofty, and elaborate.

Page 4: That’s Epic, Dude!

Stylistic Devices • Invocation to the muse• Tale begins in medias res – a point short of the

climax and later fills in previous events with a “flashback”

• Pace is leisurely, with long speeches and lengthy descriptions. There is a great deal of repetition.

• Epic similes* are drawn out to great length• Characters are identified with stock or Homeric

epithets*• An impasse may be resolved by direct intervention of

gods (deus ex machina) or by an unexpected, artificial trick or coincidence

Page 5: That’s Epic, Dude!

Homeric or Epic Simile…

…is a figurative comparison which sustains parallel likenesses to include a number of similarities. The comparison is often an ironic contrast which emphasizes the emotions of a situation as when he draws images from the peaceful life – farming, fishing, etc.—to characterize the dangerous nature of a military or perilous event.Let’s take a look…

Page 6: That’s Epic, Dude!

Let’s take a look at a Homeric Simile…

The armies grouping now—as seasoned goatherds split their wide-ranging flocks into packs with ease when herds have mixed together down the pasture: so the captains formed their tight platoons, detaching right and left, moving up for action-- (The Iliad Bk. 2)1. What two unlike things are being compared?2. Where are all of these comparisons?3. What is the irony or contrast of this

comparison? How does it emphasize danger?

Page 7: That’s Epic, Dude!

Two more vocabulary words…

Epithet – Epi (upon) and tihenai (to place)Definition: A compound adjective that repeatedly reminds the reader of the dominant trait of a character or thing.• “rosy-fingered Dawn”• “bright-eyedAthene”• “grey-eyed goddess”• “the great tactician”

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What would her epithet be?

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What would his epithet be?

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What would your epithet be??

Page 11: That’s Epic, Dude!

Bard

• A poet, traditionally one reciting epics and associated with a particular oral tradition.

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Homer

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• Ionian Greek• The Emperor Hadrian asked the Oracle at Delphi

who Homer really was, and Pythia proclaimed that he was Ithacan, the son of Epikaste and Telemachus, from the Odyssey.

• Possibly blind• Made a living as a bard

Page 14: That’s Epic, Dude!

Who was Homer?The Homeric Question:

• Did Homer exist?• Was Homer a man or a woman?• Did he write The Odyssey down, dictate it to a scribe, or merely recite it orally to contemporary audiences?• How could Homer memorize such a long poem?• Did Homer compose both The Iliad and The Odyssey or

were there two separate poets?