Epic Worksheet for Homer’s the Odyssey



Name: __________________________________________________________ Period: _______________

Epic Worksheet for Homer’s the Odyssey

Epic. An extended narrative poem recounting actions, travels, adventures, and heroic episodes and written in a high style (dactylic hexameter).

• The purpose of Epic is to teach and inspire the people about their historic traditions as represented by larger-than-life heroes.

Discuss each item below as it applies to the Iliad and Odyssey. Use specific examples from the text.

CHARACTERISTICS OF CLASSICAL EPIC

• The main character or protagonist is heroically larger than life, often the source and subject of legend or a national hero.

• The deeds of the hero are presented without favoritism, revealing his failings as well as his virtues.

• The action, often in battle, reveals the more-than-human strength of the heroes as they engage in acts of heroism and courage.

• The setting covers several nations, the whole world, or even the universe.

• The gods and lesser divinities play an active role in the outcome of actions.

• All of the various adventures form an organic whole, where each event relates in some way to the central theme. (Identify the central theme, and show how the various events relate back to it.)

EPIC CONVENTIONS (Stylistic aspects common to epics)

• Invocation to the muse or other deity.

• Story begins in medias res (in the middle of things).

• Histories and descriptions of significant items (who made a sword or shield, how it was decorated, who owned it from generation to generation).

• Use of epithets ("Aeneas the true").-any word or phrase applied to a person or thing to describe an actual or attributed quality: “Richard the Lion-Hearted” is an epithet of Richard I.

• Use of patronymics (calling son by father's name): "Anchises' son". Provide examples.

• Long, formal speeches by important characters. Describe.

• Use of the number three (attempts are made three times, etc.)

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