Gilgamesh Literary Terms - wsfcs.k12.nc.us



Gilgamesh Literary Terms

Epic: long, ___________________ poem that recounts the adventures of a legendary __________ who is engaged in a dangerous journey, or _______________, that is important to the history of a nation or people

Two Types of Epics

1. ________- epic that was written down long after it was recited or sung as entertainment and passed down by oral tradition

Examples: Beowulf (Anglo-Saxon)

Gilgamesh (Sumerian)

2. ___________- written by individual authors

Examples: Iliad and Odyssey (Homer)

Aeneid (Virgil)

(Literary Epics were once Folk epics before someone decided to __________________ the stories down)

4 Elements of an Epic

1. Epic Hero: strong, _____________, loyal, virtuous

-has ____________

-important to society

-semidivine (_______-God)

2. Epic _____________: epic hero’s struggle against an obstacle or series of obstacles

3. Heroic Quest: epic hero’s perilous journey in search of something of value to his _______________

4. Divine Intervention: epic hero receives help from a __________ or some other supernatural force

For example in The Odyssey:

1. Odysseus (Epic __________)

2. Saves men from Lotus Eaters and Cyclops (Epic Conflict)

3. Travels to get back home and reclaim Ithaca (__________ Quest)

4. Receives help from Athena, Zeus, and Apollo (_____________ Intervention)

Epic conventions (literary or formal characteristics)

1. Opens by stating subject or purpose, followed by an __________________, appeal or prayer for help

2. Plot begins in media res (in the _____________ of things)

3. Serious tone with long, formal speeches by characters

4. Includes epic similes, ___________________ extended comparisons using like or as

5. Includes epithets, descriptive __________ or phrases

_______________________: basic plot, character, symbol, or idea that _____________ in the literature of many cultures. One archetype is the hero’s quest.

Characterization: means by which characters are created and ________________

Direct characterization: author reveals characters’ personalities through _________________ statements, actions, speech, and thoughts

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