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elements of epics
Term | Definition |
---|---|
epic heros | values of civilization, strength, bravery, or intelligence |
elements of epics | strong hero or importance(nat. or his.), big settings, quest with goal, supern. involved, basis in specific culture or society, charac. struggles against fate |
epics oral tradition | sung/spoken by storyteller, changed by word of mouth, lit. epics created by 1 person, epics include poetic elements + fig. lang. |
epic characters | quest w/conflict,tries to gain something of value for people or them,conflict can be external(created by gods or forces of nature),heros weaknesses as well as strengths shown,displays more than human strength as the engage in acts of heroism or courage |
main character traits | "larger than life", uncommon strength, exceptional knowledge, cunning, courage, daring |
charac. foils | heros must have foils |
mythic charac. | many myths in epics, gods/goddesses interact and play with people like games |
invocations | beginning of epics, has subject + theme + muse to help inspire him, poet will ask muse to sing song for him to document |
common motifs | repeated in lit. works: quests for something of great value, trials, helpers(people/objects), "monsters" that threaten quest, temptresses, disguises, returns |
epithet | descriptive word or phrase added to persons name, help poet drop background into poem and add meter |
hero myths | usually male, usually has divine origin or mysterious, not invincible, called to quest, heroes way not always direct or clear to him |
heroes quests | always has posse, has guide(s), what thinks looking for ends up being a symbol for what he is going to find |