Elements of an Epic
Olivia Bryan
Legendary Hero
In the Odyssey it is very evident that Odysseus is the hero. Typically the hero is well known in his time. Odysseus is obviously very well known throughout the ancient world.
Omniscient Narration
During the Odyssey the narration is mostly 3rd person. He writes through a different point of view, experincing different things.
Superhuman Strength
Odysseus shows his srength several times in the Odyssey. One of the most memorable time is during Penelope's challenge. She has a challenge for all the suitors to shoot Odyssus's bow through ax handles. None of the suitors are able to pull it back. So Odysseus, disguised as a beggar, pulls back to bow with no problem and shoots it.
Epic Styles of Writing
There are many examples of epic stlyes of writing in the Odyssey. Epic writing includes epic similies, metaphors, and several other things which the Odyssey all has.
Supernatural Involvment
In the Odyssey, the gods play a big part. For example, Athena helps disguise Oddyseus. Zeus helps him several times.
Multiple Settings
In the Odyssey, there are obviuously several different setting. For example, the majority of the beginning of it takes place in the Medditeranean sea, while the end of it takes place in Ithca.
The whirlpool is in the Meditteranean Sea
Odysseus slays the suitors in Ithaca
This takes place in the Meditteranean Sea
Hero's Journey
Odysseus's Hero's Journey
Ordinary World
Odysseus's ordinary world is his home in Ithaca with his wife, Penelope, and his newborn son Telemachus.
Call to Adventure
Odysseus's call to adventure begins when he goes to war. When the Trojans attack the Greeks, Odysseus has to go to war.
Refusal of the Call
At first Odysseus didn't want to go to war because his son, Telemachus, had just been born. A the fact that his is a new father makes him want to stay.
Meeting a Mentor
Athena was Odyseus's mentor. She helped him and protected him through the whole Odyssey.
The Crossing of the Threshold
When Odysseus goes to the Trojan war he crosses the first threshold. He begins to enter a world that is not his own.
Tests, Allies, and Enemies
Odysseus had many trials. When the gods became angry at Odysseus, they sent a storm to set him off course. He gets trapped in the cyclops's home, and all of his men get killed.
Approach
Odysseus is almost home.His crew men open a bag of winds from the gods and it sets them of course.
Ordeal
Odysseus is sent to the underworld is order to find the imformation he neeed to get home. When he gets his information, it is very dangerous and he could die.
Reward
Odysseus's reward is that the King of Phaeacia gives him the way home.
Road Back
When Odysseus's gets home he finds that suitors are living in his house.
Atonement
Odysseus meets his son. They make a plan to kill the suitors. They kill all the suitors.
Return
Odysseus gets his wife back.
Works Cited
Homer, A. T. Murray, and George E. Dimock. The Odyssey. Cambridge, MA: Harvard UP, 1995. Print.