The Epic HeroThe Epic HeroEssential Question: What is an epic?Essential Question: What is an epic?

Epic PoemEpic PoemAn epic poem is a long narrative An epic poem is a long narrative

poem that recounts (tells) the poem that recounts (tells) the deeds of a larger-than-life hero deeds of a larger-than-life hero who embodies the values of a who embodies the values of a particular society.particular society.

CharacteristicsCharacteristics Hero is a figure of heroic stature, of Hero is a figure of heroic stature, of

national or international importance, and national or international importance, and of great historical legendary significanceof great historical legendary significance

The setting is vast in scope, covering The setting is vast in scope, covering great nations, the world, or the universegreat nations, the world, or the universe

The action consists of deeds of great The action consists of deeds of great valor or requiring superhuman couragevalor or requiring superhuman courage

Characteristics continued…Characteristics continued…

Supernatural forces – gods, angels, and Supernatural forces – gods, angels, and demons – interest themselves in the demons – interest themselves in the action and intervene from time to timeaction and intervene from time to time

A style of sustained elevation and grand A style of sustained elevation and grand simplicity is usedsimplicity is used

The epic poet recounts the deeds of his The epic poet recounts the deeds of his heroes with objectivityheroes with objectivity

ConventionsConventions The poet opens by stating his themeThe poet opens by stating his theme The poet invokes a Muse to inspire and The poet invokes a Muse to inspire and

instruct himinstruct him The poet opens his narrative The poet opens his narrative in medias in medias

resres – in the middle of things – giving the – in the middle of things – giving the necessary exposition in later portions of necessary exposition in later portions of the epicthe epic

Conventions Conventions continued…continued…

The poet includes catalogues of The poet includes catalogues of warriors, ships, armieswarriors, ships, armies

The poet includes extended formal The poet includes extended formal speeches by the main charactersspeeches by the main characters

The poet makes use of the epic simile The poet makes use of the epic simile (Homeric simile)(Homeric simile)

What is an epic hero?What is an epic hero?

An epic hero is the central figure An epic hero is the central figure in an epic who has superior in an epic who has superior qualities and risks personal qualities and risks personal danger to pursue a grand questdanger to pursue a grand quest

Characteristics of an Characteristics of an EPIC HEROEPIC HERO

Is significant and glorifiedIs significant and glorified Is on a questIs on a quest Has superior or superhuman strength, Has superior or superhuman strength,

intelligence, and/or courageintelligence, and/or courage Is ethicalIs ethical Risks death for glory or for the greater Risks death for glory or for the greater

good of societygood of society

Continued…Continued… Performs brave tasksPerforms brave tasks Is a strong and responsible leaderIs a strong and responsible leader Reflects the ideals of a particular Reflects the ideals of a particular

society - Courage, loyalty, honor, society - Courage, loyalty, honor, bravery, leadership, self-control, daring bravery, leadership, self-control, daring and witand wit