An epic poem is a long narrative poem. The story is complex and revolves around
several main characters while spanning many years.
An epic hero is a man who seems able to conquer most problems he encounters, although
he does not possess any “super” powers. He is faithful to his family, his country, and his
god. He is brave; although he often feels fear, he overcomes his fears because he knows
he has responsibilities, which are mainly to defeat evil and allow goodness to prevail.
The epic hero is intelligent. Because he has no special powers, he must rely on his brain
to get him out of difficult situations. Sometimes, however, a higher force or being will
help guide him on his quest.
BACKGROUND
Eris, the goddess of strife, was not invited to the wedding of Peleus and Thetis (Achilles’
mom). Eris came anyway, and she threw a _______ ________ into the middle of the
wedding party. Inscribed on the apple was a message. It read, “_____ _____ ______.”
Immediately, the apple was claimed by _____, ______, and __________.
The all asked ______ to decide on who should receive the apple. Zeus knew how much
trouble he would be in if he decided on one, because the other two would have grave
revenge. So Zeus descended to Mount Ida where Paris was farming and asked him to be
the judge. Paris, being a ______, could not decide. However, each of the three
goddesses decided to make it easier for him. They would each offer him gifts, and he
would get the gift from the goddess he chose.
Hera offered Paris ______. She offered to give him all of Asia, and much control. He
thought this offer was great, but he decided to hear the other offers first before deciding.
Athena offered him great _______, and great luck in ______. He would be the best
strategist in the world. He loved this idea, but he waited to hear Aphrodite’s offer.
Aphrodite offered him the love of ___ _____ _________ woman in the world. Since
Paris’s first love was women, he decided to pick Aphrodite’s offer. Hera and Athena
vowed revenge.
Paris soon went home to Troy after that, and with Aphrodite’s help, he managed to send a
fleet of ships, break into Menelaus’s palace in Greece and kidnap Helen. He also took a
lot of treasure with him.
As Helen was the most beautiful woman in the world, all of her suitors were the most
powerful people in Greece. In order for peace to be kept when Helen chose a suitor, all
other suitors were forced to vow to keep Helen safe as the wife of whom her father chose.
So when Helen and Menelaus married, al of the other suitors signed a ______ agreeing
that if anyone tried to kidnap her, they would fight to get her back. So, when she was
kidnapped by Paris, all of Greece declared war on the city of ______.
These actions of Paris and Aphrodite started the Trojan War. Paris fought, but he is
mostly out of the legend until _____ is killed by _______. While Achilles and his allies
bring Hector’s body back into Troy for a funeral, Paris takes a bow and arrow and shoots
it at Achilles. The sun god, ______ guides his arrow so that it hits Achilles’s ________,
in the famous “Achilles tendon.” Achilles dies. Paris is soon killed afterwards in the
war.
In the ______ year of the Trojan War, the Greeks tricked the enemy into bringing a
colossal wooden horse within the walls of Troy. The Trojans had no idea that the
_______ _______ were hidden inside, under the command of Odysseus. That night they
emerged and opened the city gates to the Greek army. Troy was destroyed. Now it was
time for Odysseus and the other Greeks to return to their kingdoms across the sea. Here
beings the take of the Odyssey, as sung by the blind minstrel, _______.