The Iliad
LITERARY CONVENTIONS
Remember… the Iliad is an epic poem.
Think back… epic’s frequently:
•
Are written in formal, elevated language.
•
Tell the story of a hero’s exploits
•
Start with a statement about subject and theme, and occasionally a prayer to
a god.
•
Include many features of oral storytelling, such as repetition.
•
Feature gods and goddesses as characters.
•
Mix history, myth, and legend.
Epic conventions based on Homer.
Many later literary authors copied characteristics of Homer’s work.
These became recognizable characteristics or epic “conventions.”
Remember Homer was familiar with oral storytelling – he used styles
or formulas created by oral poets to quickly share narratives.
One of these conventions we have already discussed: the “epic
simile.”
Invocations
As we learned, epics often start with a statement about subject and
theme, and occasionally a prayer to a god.
The Iliad begins with a plea for help to the Muse Calliope and helps
introduce the theme.
Rage — Goddess, sing the rage of Peleus’ son Achilles,
murderous, doomed, that cost the Achaeans countless losses,
hurling down to the House of Death so many sturdy souls,
great fighters’ souls, but made their bodies carrion,
feasts for the dogs and birds,
and the will of Zeus was moving toward its end.
Begin, Muse, when the two first broke and clashed,
Agamemnon lord of men and brilliant Achilles. . . .
INVOCATION FROM THE ILIAD
Time Sequence Variance
In medias res
◦ In Latin this means “into the midst of things”
◦ In literature it is when an author places us right into the middle of
the narrative from the beginning.
Flashbacks
◦ Provide us with background information by flashing back to an
earlier time.
Stock epithets
A phrase or adjective that frequently replaces a noun or person’s
name.
Examples:
◦ Zeus – “lord of the lightening”
◦ Athena – “third born of the gods”
◦ Trojans – “breakers of horses”
◦ Aphrodite – “the sweet laughing”
◦ Helen – “the shining among women”
Let’s Practice
Write a stock epithet to describe yourself.
Write a stock epithet to describe your school.
Sharing out.