We took notes over the characteristics of an epic. What examples can you point out from The Iliad that fit the criterion?
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First of all, an epic has a hero of great importance. I believe Achilles fit this critera very well. He was the Greeks best warrior and well known. Also, the gods intervene quite a bit. Zeus, Athena and many others, help out with the war. This fits the critera of supernatural forces. One part of an epic I didn't see was "en media res." I don't remember the book ever going back to something that happened beforehand. -Abby
Epics generally start with a poet calling to a muse, which Homer did to tell of the argument between Achilles and Agamemnon, but he also calls for the muse during other points in the story. In the Iliad homeric epithets are used frequently in describing characters especially Achilles. Epics are known for cataloging, in the Iliad there where at least two instances where Homer listed army members. -Hannah
Achilles seemed to fit the persona of a hero. He was a great warrior and also a great cousin. You could tell that he was deeply grieved when Patroclos was killed. I still do not think that it was right of him to go after Hector though. I mean, Hector was only doing as he was told, just like Achilles. Anyways, it was a decent epic. I just wish it was easier to understand.
All epics are supposed to begin with a calling for a Muse, in which Homer did. Secondly, Achilles displayed much heroism throughout the story very well, but also was thought of as the enemy by his own men at times. The story definitely began "en media res" because in the beginning, it took a while to finally get everything straightened out about what had been going on. Supernatural forces came into play all throughout this story at almost every moment involving any turning point in the war or in someone's life. A few chapters took cataloging into effect for what seemed to be the entire thing. I'm just glad that I only had to skim-read through it! -Trevor
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4 comments:
First of all, an epic has a hero of great importance. I believe Achilles fit this critera very well. He was the Greeks best warrior and well known. Also, the gods intervene quite a bit. Zeus, Athena and many others, help out with the war. This fits the critera of supernatural forces. One part of an epic I didn't see was "en media res." I don't remember the book ever going back to something that happened beforehand. -Abby
Epics generally start with a poet calling to a muse, which Homer did to tell of the argument between Achilles and Agamemnon, but he also calls for the muse during other points in the story. In the Iliad homeric epithets are used frequently in describing characters especially Achilles. Epics are known for cataloging, in the Iliad there where at least two instances where Homer listed army members.
-Hannah
Achilles seemed to fit the persona of a hero. He was a great warrior and also a great cousin. You could tell that he was deeply grieved when Patroclos was killed. I still do not think that it was right of him to go after Hector though. I mean, Hector was only doing as he was told, just like Achilles. Anyways, it was a decent epic. I just wish it was easier to understand.
-Tory Spatafore
All epics are supposed to begin with a calling for a Muse, in which Homer did. Secondly, Achilles displayed much heroism throughout the story very well, but also was thought of as the enemy by his own men at times. The story definitely began "en media res" because in the beginning, it took a while to finally get everything straightened out about what had been going on. Supernatural forces came into play all throughout this story at almost every moment involving any turning point in the war or in someone's life. A few chapters took cataloging into effect for what seemed to be the entire thing. I'm just glad that I only had to skim-read through it!
-Trevor
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