Understanding Epics in Literature - Epic Hero, Setting, Plot, Themes, and Archetypes
An epic in literature is a long narrative poem that tells the story of an epic hero's journey. Characteristics of epics include a physically impressive hero, a huge setting, a quest for something valuable, supernatural forces at play, and the glorification of the hero. Epic heroes have superhuman qualities and embody cultural ideals. Epic settings involve fantastic lands and multiple nations. Epic plots include events like encountering strange creatures and divine intervention. Themes in epics reflect universal concerns such as courage, fate, beauty, loyalty, and life and death. Archetypes in epics include mentor figures, heroes on a quest, initiates undergoing training, devil figures, loyal companions, loyal retainers, outcasts, and temptresses.
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What is an Epic? In literature, an epic is a long narrative poem about an epic hero and the hero s journey.
Characteristics of Epics Physically impressive hero of national importance. Huge setting involving much of the known world, and possibly the land of the dead. A quest taken in search of something of value. Evidence of supernatural forces (the gods) at work. Glorification of the hero at the end (he wins, always!!!)
Epic Hero Someone who has superhuman strength and confidence. Emerge victorious from very difficult and scary situations. Usually embody the ideals of a culture that are admirable.
Epic Setting Setting= where a story takes place epic setting Epic setting is where the journey takes place, usually more than one place for example: Fantastic exotic lands Involves more than one nation, or country
Epic Plot Plot- events in a story so epic plot is Events that involve a long journey full of complications for example: Strange creatures Large scale events Treacherous land Divine intervention
Epic Themes Theme= message of the story, so epic theme is Reflects a universal concern for example: Courage Fate of a nation Homecoming Beauty Loyalty Life and death
Archetypes This is a character, situation, or image that is very recognizable in our culture. MENTOR teacher or counselor to the initiate; often are father or mother figures to the hero or heroine. THE HERO mother is sometimes a virgin, circumstances of birth are unusual, some attempt is made at birth to kill him; raised by foster parents, returns to his kingdom to right wrongs, marries a princess, becomes king THE INITIATE young heroes or heroines who go through training; usually innocent and wear white
Character Archetypes DEVIL FIGURE evil incarnate; offers worldly goods, fame, or knowledge to the hero in exchange for possession of the soul HUNTING GROUP OF COMPANIONS loyal companions willing to face any number of dangers to be together LOYAL RETAINERS somewhat like servants to the hero who are heroic themselves; their duty is to protect the hero and reflect the nobility of the hero; they are expendable OUTCAST figure banished from a social group for some crime against his fellow man (could be falsely accused of a crime or could choose to banish himself from guilt) TEMPTRESS sensuous beauty; brings about the hero s downfall because he is physically attracted to her
Situational Archetypes THE TASK to save the kingdom, to win the fair lady, to identify himself so that he may assume his rightful position, the hero must perform some nearly superhuman deed. BATTLE BETWEEN GOOD AND EVIL Obviously the battle between two primal forces. Mankind shows eternal optimism in the continual portrayal of good triumphing over evil despite great odds.
Epithets An epithet is a small descriptive phrase used to characterize a person or thing. For example, an epithet for the singer Prince would be the author formally known as prince What kind of epithet could we write for Shrek?
Epic Similes Epic simile is a comparison using the words like or as but it goes on for several lines in literature. It could go on for as long as 20 lines.
Allusions It is a reference to a famous person, place, thing, or event. This is a reference to something that you (should) already know. AKA inside jokes for educated people. Shrek is full of them can you find at least 2 in the first 3 minutes of the movie?
MYTH Story that uses fantasy to express ideas about life that cannot be expressed in realistic terms. Myths focus on the relationship between humans and the unknown or spiritual realm.
Oral Tradition The story was passed down by word of mouth. The author, Homer, collected and organized the stories into the famous epic of the Illiad and the Odyssey, which we are about to start. Homer lived in 800 B.C. and was probably blind.
The Odysseys Background Info: The Trojan War has been over for ten years. Odysseus is being held on an island by Calypso. Telemachus, Odysseus son, is at home in Ithaca, in Greece, trying to fend off men who want to marry his mother, and rob him of his inheritance. Odysseus is searching for balance, for inner peace.
