Homer & Epic Form Flashcards
What is an Epic Hero?
Larger-than-life character who has traits that their society values most
What is an Epic?
A long narrative poem
Most Epics Begin…
In the middle of things (in media res)
What two Epics is Homer famous for?
IIiad, Odyssey
What are some differences between the Odyssey and the Iliad?
The Iliad is a long, dramatic, and narrative poem about the final year of the Trojan War. Odysseus is about the aftermath of the War, episodic, and reads more like an adventure novel.
What is an epithet?
A characterizing phrase for nouns
What is an Epic simile?
An elaborate comparison that goes on for several lines.
What is another name for an Epic Simile?
Homeric Simile
Why can’t anyone prove Homer actually existed?
No authentic record of Homer’s life exists.
What key information is speculated about his life?
He was born in lonia in western Asia Minor and that he was blind.
How did the Trojan War begin?
The Trojan War started with Eris bringing in an apple for the fairest and the goddesses who were fighting over it and asked Paris for help. He chose Aphrodite because she offered him the most beautiful woman in the world, Helen, Sparta’s queen and she helped them fall in love. When the king of Sparta couldn’t get his wife back he asked his brother for help, and they sailed to Troy to get his wife back.
