Elements of the Elements of the Traditional Epic & the Traditional Epic & the

Epic Hero Epic Hero

The Odyssey The Odyssey by Homerby HomerPowerPoint by Erin SalonaPowerPoint by Erin Salona

The Traditional EpicThe Traditional Epic

The Epic Hero is superhuman--braver The Epic Hero is superhuman--braver and stronger than ordinary peopleand stronger than ordinary people

There is some all-knowing or wise There is some all-knowing or wise person who helps the protagonistperson who helps the protagonist

The story starts in the middle of the The story starts in the middle of the action action in medias res in medias res and earlier and earlier events are introduced later onevents are introduced later on

EpicsEpics

The Traditional EpicThe Traditional Epic

The setting is vast in scope- sometimes The setting is vast in scope- sometimes worldwide and even beyondworldwide and even beyond

The hero is on a quest for something of The hero is on a quest for something of great value to him or his peoplegreat value to him or his people

The action of the epic involves heroic The action of the epic involves heroic deeds and battle, often including a long deeds and battle, often including a long journey or warjourney or war

EpicsEpics

The Traditional EpicThe Traditional Epic

The villains that try to keep the hero from The villains that try to keep the hero from his quest are uglier, more evil, and more his quest are uglier, more evil, and more cunning than anything in ordinary lifecunning than anything in ordinary life

The gods or other supernatural beings The gods or other supernatural beings take an active role in the storytake an active role in the story

EpicsEpics

The Epic HeroThe Epic Hero

The Epic HeroThe Epic Hero

Great Stature- Great Stature- Larger than LifeLarger than Life

Possesses the Possesses the character traits character traits most valued by most valued by society (i.e. society (i.e. determination, determination, courage, wit, courage, wit, wisdom)wisdom)

The Epic HeroThe Epic Hero

Pursues his goal in Pursues his goal in the face of many the face of many setbackssetbacks

Has human traits Has human traits and failings that and failings that make him seem make him seem like a real personlike a real person

(i.e. too curious, (i.e. too curious, foolish, tricky)foolish, tricky)