ENGLISH 1-2
La Jolla High School Name:________________________________________
Period:____ Date:______________________________
Notes on Epic Conventions
Directions: Fill in the notes.
Epic Conventions
Characteristics of an Epic:
1. is a long narrative ________
2. the _______ embodies the ideals of the nation or the culture
3. the epic appears in the ______ stages of nationalistic or cultural consciousness
4. the subject of the epic is the struggle for something that symbolizes a
_________ of the culture
5. the hero is aided by ________ or supernatural forces
6. the epic is serious and written in an elevated ______
Classical Epic Conventions:
7. invocation to the _______ by the poet
8. the story begins ____ _________ ______
9. ____________ (long lists)
10. descriptions of ___________ or armor
11. address to the _______ (stirring speech made by leader to inspire his
men to heroism)
12. descent to the _______________ (hero goes to learn something he can
find no other way; trip symbolizes facing death)
13. epic ___________ (extended literary comparisons)
14. Homeric epithets (i.e. Apollo of the Silver Bow)
Steps in the Typical Epic Journey:
15. the mysterious _________ of the hero
16. acquiring a ______________
17. first major battle, usually single combat, with special _____________
18. the __________ (often for the meaning of life)
19. experiences with evil and good ____________
20. meeting and forming friendship with a ____________
21. trip to the underworld and/or knowledge of death
22. the last great ____________ of good and evil
23. triumphant return / the restoration of order
Epic Conventions
Characteristics of an Epic:
1.
is a long narrative poem
2.
the hero embodies ideals or values of nation or culture
3.
the epic appears in the early stages of nationalistic or cultural
consciousness
the subject is the struggle for something that symbolizes a value of the
4.
culture
5.
the hero is aided by divine or supernatural forces
6.
the epic is serious and written in an elevated style
Classical Epic Conventions:
7.
invocation to the muse (by the poet)
8.
beginning the story in media res
9.
catalogs (long lists)
10. descriptions of weapons or armor
11. address to the host (stirring speech made by leader to inspire his men to
heroism)
12. descent to the underworld (hero goes to learn something he can find no
other way; trip symbolizes facing death)
13. epic similes (extended similes)
14. Homeric epithets (i.e. Apollo of the Silver Bow)
Steps in the Typical Epic Journey:
15. the mysterious birth of the hero
16. acquiring a sidekick
17. first major battle, usually single combat, with special weapon
18. the quest (often for the meaning of life)
19. experiences with evil and good women
20. meeting and forming friendship with a mentor
21. trip to the underworld and/or knowledge of death
22. the last great battle of good and evil
23. triumphant return / the restoration of orde