Epic!
Stylistic Elements
Character Archetypes
Before the Common Era
Sound Devices
100

The main character in an epic follows this series of events.

What is the hero's journey?

100

An author uses this type of character to contrast with the protagonist. In The Tragedy of Hamlet, Prince of Denmark, Hamlet has more than one of these characters.

What is a foil?

100

In the Epic of Gilgamesh, this character represents the temptress. 

Who is Shamhat the harlot?

100

This narrative depicts Saul consulting the supernatural to learn the outcome of his upcoming battle.

What is the Witch of Endor from the Old Testament (Book of Samuel)?

100

This is the most commonly known sound device used in poetry

What is rhyme?

200


Part of this epic hero's name became synonymous with "journey"

Who is Odysseus?

200

Oral transmitters of narratives repeated these nicknames as a type of mnemonic device. 

What is an epithet?

200

In the Epic of Gilgamesh, this character represents the wise old man

Who is Utpanishtim?

200

This epic features an arrogant king and the supernaturally created being who helps him become a better king.

What is the epic of Gilgamesh?

200
When a word sounds like the noise it describes, it's an example of this sound device

What is onomatopoeia?

300

This epic hero had a travelling group of companions, including his wife and his brother. 

Who is Rama?

300

This device occurs when an identical phrase is used at the beginning of multiple sentences or lines. 

What is anaphora?

300

The Chinese poet Li Po depicted himself as an example of this character archetype. 

What is the recluse?

300

These ancient love songs celebrate erotic physical pleasure.

What are Egyptian Love Songs?

300

"Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers" has many examples of this sound device. 

What is alliteration?

400

This epic hero went twice through the hero's journey -- once with a partner and once alone. 

Who is Gilgamesh?

400

This stylistic element is the outer shell of a story-within-a-story

What is a frame narrative?

400

Jesus Christ is arguably the best example of this character archetype.

What is the scapegoat?

400

This Mayan origin epic features twin trickster heroes.

What is the Popol Vuh?

400

This sound device occurs when the same vowel sound is repeated multiple times in a poetic line

What is assonance?

500

This epic hero's journey took inspiration from The Odyssey of Homer. 

Who is Aeneas?
500

The Ancient Greeks believed that drama needed to adhere to these three unities:

What are the unity of time, place, and action?

500

After he meets Gilgamesh, Enkidu serves as an example of this archetype 

What is the loyal retainer?

500

This writer's Analects became the ethical basis for the Chinese Imperial State. 

Who is Confucius?

500

"Bring me a little bottle of water" is an example of this sound device. 

What is consonance?

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