Epic Post about Epics

To start the first day of my blogging fest, I thought it might be best to tackle what an epic is.  Obviously epic can be used in multiple ways, such as being heroic, majestic, or great, but that's not what I'm using here (hopefully, you've picked up on that so far).  As defined by dictionary.com, an epic poem is, "noting or pertaining to a long poetic composition, usually centered upon a hero, in which a series of great achievements or events is narrated in elevated style."  They even give a great sentence that uses epic, "Homer's Iliad is an epic poem." (Reference).  Usually these epics were passed along orally before they were written down (I'll touch on this later when I discuss The Epic of Gilgamesh).  Some of the most well-known and important pieces of world literature in the canon are epic poems.  These poems have themes, motifs, morals, and characters who have stood the test time and are still applicable to our modern society (WHICH IS WHY I'M BLOGGING). 

Characteristics of epics include the following:

• The main character is larger than life; he is usually the source and subject of legend or is a national hero
• The hero and his actions are presented without favoritism; poets reveal his flaws as well as his virtues
• The action, which more often than not, comes in the form of a battle and it reveals the more-than-human strength of the hero as they display courage, bravery, and heroism
• The settings of the poems cover multiple nations, the whole world, or even the universe
• Although the poems are fiction, they usually provide some insight onto events or history of a nation or people
• Gods and other deities play an active role in the poems (Reference). 

So in these next few weeks, I'll be focusing on epic poetry, and discussing these epic heroes, such as Gilgamesh, Dante, and Odysseus, while also talking about their journeys, quests, and characterization of them.  There is also going to be a discussion of the writing style using by these poets.  Most importantly, I'll be breaking these subjects down and talking about why we should be teaching them in the classroom.  Yay!

Next time, I'll give a brief discussion of history of The Epic of Gilgamesh and then we'll be on our way.  Get excited!

Until we meet again,

Cassy