Odyssey by Homer

General Characteristicsof an Epic

Originally intended to be sung or recited to music

Written down after centuries of oral transmission

Deities and other supernatural agencies are often involved in

human affairs

Has national interest and has a national bias

Generated by periods of upheaval, of struggle and

adventure

Often, the principal characters are larger-than-life demigods (descendants of deities )or heroes

of immense stature and strength

The subject of the poem is announced in the opening lines in an invocation to

the Muse where the poet calls for divine assistance to tell his

tales.

Single combat is a common

plot devise

The true epic is long (the Iliad and Odyssey each

contain 24 books) and dignified.

(courtly address and epithet are common)

Geographical settings are wide: the action of the Odyssey occurs across all of the known world of the Greeks overa 20 year period.

Elements of Epic Style

Repetition: directions and reports are repeated, later incidents seem to echo earlier incidents; epithets are constantly applied to certain proper nouns such as “rosy-fingered Dawn” and “horse-taming Hector.” Names are symbolic: Odysseus = “Man of Woe,” for he both gives and receives suffering.

Long, formal speechessuch as challenges, narratives, flashbacks, and points of debate occur within the midst of the action

Characters are commonly revealed in dialogue. Speeches are often followed by such phrases as “thus he spoke” to emphasize that the words are those of a character and not of the narrator.

Elevated, literary

language is the norm- even

servants speak in dignified

verse.

Patronymics

The manner of address between characters. Itis wordy and courtly.“I am Laertes’ son.” Odysseus.

Catalogues

Lengthy lists, particularly of leaders and their military troops

Epics include:

•A chief god balancing the scales of fate.•A long and arduous journey for the hero•Weapons of supernatural origin•A descent into the Underworld

•The poet opens in the midst of theaction (“in medias res”) rather thanat the beginning.

Characteristics of the Epic Hero

1. The hero possessesdistinctive weapons of great size and power, often heirlooms or presents from the gods.

2. The hero is introduced in the midst of turmoil, at a point well into the story, action will be recounted in flashbacks.3. The hero is not only a warrior and a leader, but also a polished speaker.

4. The hero must undertake a long, perilous journey, often involving a descent into theUnderworld, which tests his endurance, courage, and cunning.

5. Whatever values his race most prizes, the epic hero possesses in abundance.

“Resourceful Odysseus”

6. The hero has a group of noble followers. Although his fellows may be great warriors, the hero undertakes a task that no one else dare attempt.

7. The hero establishes his nobility through single combat . He gains great honor by challenging heroes like himself or adversaries of superhuman power.

8. The two epic adversaries, the hero and his antagonist, meet at the climax which must be delayed as long as possible tosustain maximum interest.

9. The hero’s epic adversary is often a “god-despiser,,” one who has more respect for his own mental and physical abilities than for the power of the gods.

10. The hero mayencounter a divine or supernaturalforce that he must use strength, cunning, and divineassistance to overcome.

The end