Epics, Heroes, and Conventions

Characteristics of an epic poem:

1. It is a long _______________ poem.
2. It is centered on a ______________________.
3. __________________ often help or hinder the hero.
4. It focuses on _____________________________.
Characteristics of an epic hero:
1. Hero embodies the characteristics _________________________
2. Hero has ____________&_______________ for his homeland.
3. Hero has strength, ________________,&_________________.
4. Hero seeks revenge for injustices committed against
___________________&____________________.
5. Hero succeeds in ______________ and adventure.
6. Hero values _______________ and glory.
7. Hero battles demons or _________________.
8. Hero sometimes makes ____________________ and takes
unnecessary risks.
9. Hero encounters _____________________.
10.Hero descends into darkness (_________________________).
11.Hero achieves goal.
12.Hero knows the balance between being independent and
___________________________________.

Literary Conventions in Epic Poetry:

1. Invoking the muse The poet asks a muse (goddess) for
______________________ while singing the poem.
2. Epithet ____________________________________. They
appear often in The Odyssey because the poem was memorized.
Epithets were like little breaks for the poet.
Ex: Zeus, lord of the cloud
3. Epic simile (Homeric simile) ________________________________, often running several
lines, using the words like, as or than.