The The OdysseyOdyssey::

An An Introduction Introduction

to Epicsto Epics

Key VocabularyKey Vocabulary

• Epics:Epics: long narrative poems that tell of the long narrative poems that tell of the adventures of heroes who in some way adventures of heroes who in some way embody the values of their civilizations.embody the values of their civilizations.

• Myths:Myths: traditional stories rooted in a traditional stories rooted in a particular culture, that usually explain in brief, particular culture, that usually explain in brief, a ritual, or mysterious natural phenomenon. a ritual, or mysterious natural phenomenon. Myths are usually religious because they are Myths are usually religious because they are concerned with the relationships of humans concerned with the relationships of humans and the spiritual realm.and the spiritual realm.

• RhapsodesRhapsodes: “singers of tales” were : “singers of tales” were the historians, entertainers, and the historians, entertainers, and mythmakers of the time period.mythmakers of the time period.

• Homeric SimilesHomeric Similes: a.k.a. “epic : a.k.a. “epic similes” compare heroic or epic similes” compare heroic or epic events to simple and easily events to simple and easily understandable everyday eventsunderstandable everyday events

Example of a Homeric SimileExample of a Homeric Simile

• In reference to Hermes: “… shot from In reference to Hermes: “… shot from Pieria down, down to sea level, and Pieria down, down to sea level, and veered to skim the swell. A gull patrolling veered to skim the swell. A gull patrolling between the wave crests of the desolate between the wave crests of the desolate sea will dip to catch fish and douse his sea will dip to catch fish and douse his wings…” Book 1 lines 40-43wings…” Book 1 lines 40-43

• – Hermes flight is being compared to the flight Hermes flight is being compared to the flight

of a gull skimming just above the waves, of a gull skimming just above the waves, dipping into the water to catch a fishdipping into the water to catch a fish