epic poetry

Conventions 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

Important “Primary” Epics

• Iliad* (Greek) / Aeneid (Latin)

• Odyssey (Greek) / Ulysses (Latin)

• Gilgamesh (Babylonian)

• Exodus (Hebrew)

• Beowulf * (Anglo-Saxon)

What do these primary epics have in common?

• Each began as part of a culture’s 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

The 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”

The Trojan War (c. 1250 B.C.)Causes

Nuclear weapons?No!

Treaty violations?No!

Imperial aggression?No!

Trade dispute?No!

A WOMAN!

Helen of Troy“The 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.

Why 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.

Why 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”.

Tough Choice.

• Hera, wife of Zeus

Hera/Wife of Zeus

Aphrodite/goddess of love, beauty and

sexuality, daughter of Poseidon

Athena/goddess of wisdom,

daughter of Zeus

Which would you choose?

Paris, of course, selects Aphrodite.

• Menelaus promptly launches “a thousand ships” in an effort to reclaim Helen and punish Paris.

• As King of Sparta, Menelaus has many “allies”.

Trojan War c. 1250-1200 BC

Troy (aka

“Ilium”)

Sparta

Trojan War c. 1250-1200 BC

Black Sea

Aegean SeaDardanelles

Bosporus

A “less sexy” reason for the “real” Trojan War?

Line-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

• 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.

Line-ups: The Achaeans (aka Spartans, aka Greeks)

Achilles’ 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…

• Priam, King of Troy

• Hecuba, his wife

• Hector, his son; prince of Troy and the Trojans’ most valiant warrior

• Paris, younger brother of Hector

Line-ups: The Trojans