Epic Heroes and Epic Poetry
In what style are Epic Poems written?
(elevated language)
Grand Style
What is theme?
Universal ideas, lessons, or messages explored in a story. Themes make up the main message or central idea.
What is setting?
Time and place where the story is set.
True or False: the ancient Greeks believed that fate was inevitable. What the gods say will happen will certainly happen.
True.
Reminder: Fate is one of our themes in the Odyssey. This will be on tomorrows SBUA
Using context clues, what does the word frenzy mean?
"She suddenly realized she had lost her passport and went into a frenzy as she ripped through the airport, backtracking to find it."
A period or state of wild behavior, madness, or hysteria.
Name the six elements of an Epic Hero's story.
1) Noble
2) Supernatural elements
3) Quest
4) Other Worlds (like Heaven and Hell)
5) Overcome Obstacles
6) Learn a Lesson
What is characterization?
The representation of a character in a narrative or dramatic work. The description of their nature or features.
What is tone, and what is mood? (identify both)
Tone refers to the author's attitude toward the subject.
Mood refers to how the audience feels while reading it.
Which of the following is not one of the ancient Greek's values?
A. Loyalty
B. Hospitality
C. Ruthlessness
D. Glory
C. Ruthlessness
Using context clues, what does the word delude mean?
"That clever deluder of a politician tricked the crowd with promises he never intended to keep."
To impose a misleading belief upon someone. To deceive
How is the characteristic of epic poetry involving the hero being a great leader represented in the poem?
A. Ulysses sacrifices himself to save his men from the Sirens.
B. Ulysses allows his men to share their opinions about his plans.
C. Ulysses does not expect his men to follow him blindly into conflict.
D. Ulysses takes the necessary steps to protect his men from incoming danger.
D. Ulysses takes the necessary steps to protect his men from incoming danger.
What is the conflict in Helios cattle?
Their desperation and temptation to eat the Cattle
While yet I speak the winged galley flies,
And lo! the Siren shores like mists arise.
Sunk were at once the winds; the air above,
And waves below, at once forgot to move;
Some demon calm’d the air and smooth’d the deep,
Hush’d the loud winds, and charm’d the waves to sleep.”
How does the author’s use of simile contribute to the mood? (R.3.1)
A. The comparison of the shores and mist creates a foreboding mood.
B. The comparison between the ship sailing and flying creates a fearless mood.
C. The comparison between the calm waters and sleep creates a relaxing mood.
D. The comparison between the Sirens and demons creates a threatening mood.
A. The comparison of the shores and mist creates a foreboding mood.
Reminder: There will be a question much like this one on tomorrow's SBUA.
Which one of the four Greek values does Helios exhibit at the beginning of "Helios Cattle"?
Hospitality
Reminder: Hospitality will show up on tomorrow's SBUA.
Using context clues, what does the word cordial mean?
She greeted her guests with a cordial smile that immediately put everyone at ease.
warm and friendly
Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of an epic hero?
A. They go on a journey or quest
B. They are a larger-than-life hero
C. They are always sacrificed at the end in order to teach a lesson
D. None of the above
C. They are always sacrificed at the end in order to teach a lesson
How does the plot of "The Siren Encounter" add to the layers of meaning? (R.1.1)
A. It adds to the literal layer by giving background to what the Sirens want from Ulysses.
B. It adds to the tense mood by describing the steps the men take while approaching the Siren shores.
C. It adds to the author’s purpose by highlighting the reason why Ulysses wants to hear the Siren song.
D. It adds to the tone by using statements such as “struggle to be free” that cause tension between the sailors and Ulysses.
B. It adds to the tense mood by describing the steps the men take while approaching the Siren shores.
". . . and the broiling eyeball burst– its crackling roots blazed and hissed– as a blacksmith plunges a glowing ax or adze in an ice-cold bath and the metal screeches steam and its temper hardens-that's the iron's strength– so the eye of the Cyclops sizzled round that stake!"
Identify what piece of figurative language is used here?
Simile.
Reminder: This is an Epic Simile identified in our text structure notes.
Which of the following best describes Zeus’s reaction to the crew’s slaughtering of Helios’s cattle?
A. He doesn’t care if men misbehave or disobey the orders of the Sungod.
B. He gives Helios permission to punish the crew in any way the Sungod sees fit.
C. He decides to let his brother, Hades, handle it, since he is the god of the dead.
D. He uses his powers to ensure that the crew is punished appropriately.
D. He uses his powers to ensure that the crew is punished appropriately.
Reminder: Loyalty to the Gods is one of our values. In turn, disobedience and punishment are themes in Helios Cattle.
Using context clues, what does the word lumbered mean?
The old truck lumbered up the steep hill, groaning under the weight of its cargo.
To move in a slow, heavy, or awkward way.
Which of the following is NOT a quality of epic poems/Greek myths?
A. They relate to the deeds of an epic hero
B. They often have evil triumph over the characters
C. They relate themes that reflect the values of the society that wrote it
D. They use diction that creates an elevated style
B. They often have evil triumph over the characters
Greek culture places great emphasis on loyalty. How do the sailors embody this cultural value in "The Siren Encounter"? (R.1.4)
A. The sailors follow Ulysses’ directions and protect him from the Sirens.
B. The sailors listen to the Gods warnings and survive the Siren encounter.
C. The sailors confront the Sirens so that Ulysses does not become tempted.
D. The sailors refuse to listen to the Siren song to avoid becoming more wise than Ulysses.
A. The sailors follow Ulysses’ directions and protect him from the Sirens.
Using context clues, what does the word scuttled mean?
"The mouse scuttled across the kitchen floor and disappeared behind the cupboard."
To run hurriedly with short, quick steps.