Identifying Parts of the Epic

Question 1

epic

Answer 1

• long narrative poem told in elevated style
• presents characters of high social position in series of adventures that surround a hero
• tells story that is important to history of nation or race

Question 2

the hero

Answer 2

• figure of imposing stature
• national or international importance
• great historical or legendary importance

Question 3

the setting

Answer 3

• vast in scope

- covering great nations, world, or universe

Question 4

action

Answer 4

• consists of deeds of great valor

- requiring superhuman courage

Question 5

supernatural forces

Answer 5

-gods, angels or demons, interest themselves in the action and intervene from time to time

Question 6

epic poet

Answer 6

-recounts deeds of heroes with objectivity

Question 7

What are the conventions that epic poets follow?

Answer 7

1. poet opens by stating theme
2. invokes the muse to inspire and instruct him
3. open the epic “in medias res” (in the middle of things)
4. extended formal speeches given by major characters
5. epithet/Homeric epithet
6. epic simile

Question 8

epithet

Answer 8

-adj or adj phrase used to point out characteristic of a person or thing

Question 9

Homeric epithet

Answer 9

• adj phrase repeated often

- almost becomes part of the name

Question 10

epic simile

Answer 10

• elaborated comparison
• more involved, more ornate, extends over a number of lines of verse
• huge simile