Epics: Stories on a Grand Scale
Epics: Stories on a Grand Scale
Epics: Stories on a Grand Scale
Archetypes: Always look for GOOD VS EVIL
Stories may have some dark side of the hero. (SINS)
Annekin changes to Darth Vader: a fallen Jedi who uses the “dark
side” of the Force
Gollum: a hobbit corrupted by the One Ring
Characteristics of an epic:
The hero, generally male, is of noble birth
or high position, related to GODS
The hero’s character traits reflect important
ideals of his society
The hero performs courageous deeds that
reflect the values of the times
His actions determine the fate of many
Characteristics of an epic continued:
The setting is vast
Written in formal diction with a serious tone
Characters have long, formal speeches
Hero’s journey (slides to follow)
Poem reflects timeless values (courage, etc)
Treats universal themes (good vs. evil, etc.)
The hero takes a
journey to foreign
lands.
3 phases of the hero
journey:
•Separation – a break
away from local social order,
the beginning of a quest.
•Initiation – a long deep
retreat inward with a series of
chaotic encounters which
provide new insight.
•Return – reintegration
into society, coming back as
as a more evolved person.
The general points of the cycle include:
•a test (to test worthiness to complete said quest)
•a main antagonist, often supernatural
•a magical/unreal world, unable to be visited by a
normal human, that the hero visits (e.g. the
underworld or the world of the gods)
•a resurrection
(either from being dead or from a dead-like state
of mind, or a hero who was thought to be dead
who was rediscovered)
Identify a
hero or
heroine from
a film or
story and
explain how
their journey
fits the three
phases – be
sure to give
examples.
Themes
&
Look for the struggles of …
Conflict
•good against evil
•strength against weakness
•light against dark
Read through the descriptions of the hero and
villain archetypes.
1. Decide on five of the archetypes that fit your
personality best and draw and label a pie chart
representing these archetypes proportionately.
2. Write in paragraph format about how the
three most dominant archetypes show up in
your personality. Be specific by giving multiple
examples.
Contrast Characters
Foil - a character whose personality or attitudes
are in sharp contrast to those of another
character in the same work. The foil character
helps to define the other character through
strong contrast.
Fresh Prince of Bel Air
Will
Carlton
Looney Tunes
Elmer Fudd
Buggs Bunny
Spongebob Squarepants
Spongebob
Squidward
Harry Potter
Draco Malfoy
Harry Potter
Romeo and Juliet
Romeo
Mercutio
Can you think of any characters
that contrast each other?
Gilgamesh: Foil Characters
Enkidu
Gilgamesh
Humbaba
Huwawa [Humbaba],
the Mesopotamian
Forest God, protected
forests.
The antagonists of this
EPIC story
EPICS and Mythological
Analysis
• Archetypes comes from the Greek word archetypos,
meaning “first of its kind.”
• They are universal images/concepts/ ideas that come from
shared common experiences, which transcend time, place
and culture.
• The value in using archetypal characters in fiction derives
from the fact that we unconsciously already recognize the
archetype, and thus the motivations, behind the character's
behavior.
examples
EPIC POEMS QUIZ
1. What are the 3 phases of the hero ‘s journey
2. What is the main purpose of the FOIL?
3. Who is the antagonist of a story?
4. What kind of language is an EPIC poem written
in?
5. In your own words describe an ARCHETYPE.
BONUS: Create a list of ARCHETYPES that show
up in EPIC poems.