Epic Poetry and The Iliad
1. Learn the characteristics of epic poetry:
- An Epic Poem is a long, narrative poem which tells the story of a hero.
- The writer begins with calling upon the muse of epic poetry for inspiration. See lecture 1 notes for an explanation of the MUSES.
- The story begins in medias res which means the story does not actually start at the beginning of the story. It begins somewhere in the middle of the action.
- There is a use of the supernatural; gods mingle with human beings and intervene in their lives.
- The writer uses stock epithets. These are descriptive phrases which help the reader visualize material better. A good example is the phrase “swift-footed Achilles” or “wine-dark sea.”
- The writer uses a great deal of repetition.
- The writer uses long similes taken from nature and animal life.
- The writer uses lengthy speeches. There is little if no rapid dialog.
- In both The Iliad and The Odyssey, we see the writer Homer as an expert in plot and character development. These are his strengths. In the stories, humans obtain benefits from the gods by prayer and sacrifices. The future is revealed by omens, dreams, oracles, and soothsayers.
