Title: Conventions of Epic Poetry An epic poem has
1Conventions of Epic PoetryAn epic poem has
- a hero who embodies national, cultural, or
religious ideals - a hero upon whose actions depends the fate of
his people - a course of action in which the hero performs
great and difficult deeds - a recognition of -- or intercession by -- divine
or supernatural powers - a concern with eternal human problems
- a dignified and elaborate poetic style
2Important Primary Epics
- Iliad (Greek) / Aeneid (Latin)
- Odyssey (Greek) / Ulysses (Latin)
- Gilgamesh (Babylonian)
- Exodus (Hebrew)
- Beowulf (Anglo-Saxon)
3What do these primary epics have in common?
- Each began as part of a cultures oral tradition
- ORAL TRADITION socio-/cultural values
transferred generation-to-generation by
traveling poets/bards who sang songs about
cultural heroes and values - POETRY because rhyme/meter is easier to memorize
and more stable as passed-on
4The Iliad
- written by Homer around (c.) 720 B.C.
- Homer did not invent the story, but transcribed
it into its longest-lasting form - All versions we read are translated from ancient
Greek language Translations can vary greatly - Called Iliad because Ilium was the Greek name
for Troy where the war took place. Iliad
about Ilium
5The Trojan War (c. 1250 B.C.)Causes
- Nuclear weapons?
- No!
- Treaty violations?
- No!
- Imperial aggression?
- No!
- Trade dispute?
- No!
A WOMAN!
6Helen of TroyThe face that launched a thousand
ships
- Legend says that the Trojan War began when
Paris Prince of Troy and son to the Trojan King
Priam stole the wife of Menelaus, King of
Sparta.
7Why would Paris do something that stupid?
- Legend says that Paris a desirable man
because of his attractiveness, wealth and power
was approached by the goddess Eris. Eris asked
Paris to give The Golden Apple, inscribed To
the Fairest to Athena, Hera, or Aphrodite.
8Why would Paris do something that stupid?
- The three goddesses were arguing over who was
the most beautiful and powerful. - Eris chose Paris to settle their dispute.
- Eris, in Greek, means Chaos.
9Tough Choice.
Aphrodite/goddess of love, beauty and sexuality,
daughter of Poseidon
Athena/goddess of wisdom, daughter of Zeus
Hera/Wife of Zeus
10Which would you choose?
- Paris, of course, selects Aphrodite.
11- Menelaus promptly launches a thousand ships in
an effort to reclaim Helen and punish Paris. - As King of Sparta, Menelaus has many allies.
12Troy (aka Ilium)
Trojan War c. 1250-1200 BC
Sparta
13A less sexy reason for the real Trojan War?
Black Sea
Bosporus
Trojan War c. 1250-1200 BC
Aegean Sea
Dardanelles
14Line-ups The Achaeans (aka Spartans, aka Greeks)
- Menelaus, the King
- Agamemnon, brother to Menelaus battlefield
leader of the Achaeans - Ajax
- Odysseus
- Patroclus, cousin to Achilles
15Line-ups The Achaeans (aka Spartans, aka Greeks)
- ACHILLES
- the central character the hero of The Iliad.
- a phenomenal warrior leader of a special
detachment fighting with Menelaus and the
Spartans the Myrmydons.
16Achilles mother, Thetis
- Thetis was a Nereid, a minor goddess who gave
birth to Achilles, a mortal. - Because of her connection with Olympus as a
Nereid, Thetis was permitted access to the
magical river, Styx, which separated the Earth
from Hades. - Thetis dipped her newborn son into the Styx,
ensuring his protection against all mortal
weapons, except
17Line-ups The Trojans
- Priam, King of Troy
- Hecuba, his wife
- Hector, his son prince of Troy and the Trojans
most valiant warrior - Paris, younger brother of Hector