Writing Your Own Epic Poem
1. Final Draft Due: Wednesday, 2/10
2. Hoetger Computer Lab Time: Monday, 2/8 and Wednesday, 2/10
DIRECTIONS: Since you are reading Homer’s The Odyssey, it is your turn to try
your hand at writing your own epic poem. Write a narrative poem that provides a
character sketch and tells a story about a hero, borrowing elements from Homer’s
style to recreate the experience for your reader. The poem should be an imaginative
and artistic written creation of a hero who struggles with, meets, or overcomes a
challenge of your generation. You must include the most vivid, engaging, and
meaningful aspects and elements of a hero in the poem. Within the heroic challenge
context of your poem, you must also be selective about which heroic traits to
emphasize. Choose traits that are either lacking in your generation or are necessary
for your generation to emulate. Your epic poem must be typed and a minimum of
500 words.
a. Identify the heroic traits of your hero and the challenge that he/she will face.
Also choose some elements of an epic poem to emphasize.
b. Consider all of the following: The challenge that the hero is facing is clearly
described and is a true challenge of your generation. Heroic traits are
emphasized in detail. The poem demonstrates those traits clearly. There is
enough description so that the reader can see and feel the experiences of
the hero and the situation he or she faces. There are epithets, imagery,
similes, and metaphors used throughout the poem. The writer uses
aesthetic/artistic vocabulary throughout the poem.
c. Do some pre-writing. Use brief notes to outline the hero and challenges of
your generation.
d. Write your epic poem in the third-person, as if Homer is narrating your
experience.
When I assess your work, I will ask the following questions:
1. What is the challenge that the hero is facing? Is it a true challenge of your
generation?
2. Who is the hero and what heroic traits are emphasized? Loyalty, bravery, honesty,
etc.
3. Where could the writer use Epithets? This is a short phrase applied repeatedly to a
person or thing in The Odyssey. “bright-eyed Athene” or “sandy Pylos” or “wise
Odysseus” or “brave Antinous”.
4. Where could the writer use more imagery, similes, or metaphors? Simile example:
“then he advanced like a mountain lion. Metaphor example: The event was
clouded over by protests.
5. Where could the writer use more aesthetic/artistic vocabulary?
6. What other elements of epic poetry could the writer incorporate into their poem?
Elements of Epic Poetry
Epic. An extended narrative poem recounting actions, travels, adventures, and heroic episodes
and written in a high style (with ennobled diction, for example). An epic hero is usually a person
of great strength, wit or skill, whose adventures usually contribute to the development of a
particular race or nation. Characteristics of the classical epic include these:





















The main character or protagonist is heroically larger than life, often the source and
subject of legend or a national hero
The deeds of the hero are presented without favoritism, revealing his failings as well as
his virtues
The action, often in battle, reveals the more-than-human strength of the heroes as they
engage in acts of heroism and courage
The episodes, even though they may be fictional, provide an explanation for some of the
circumstances or events in the history of a nation or people
The gods and lesser divinities play an active role in the outcome of actions
Invocation to the muse or other deity ("Sing, goddess, of the wrath of Achilles")
Story begins in medias res (in the middle of things)
Catalogs (of participants on each side, ships, sacrifices)
Simile and Metaphor
Epic simile (a long simile where the image becomes an object of art in its own right as
well as serving to clarify the subject).
Frequent use of epithets ("Aeneas the true"; "rosy-fingered Dawn"; "tall-masted ship")
Use of patronymics (calling son by father's name): "Anchises' son"
Long, formal speeches by important characters
Journey to the underworld
Write a brief statement of the poem's purpose before you begin recounting the story say, to detail your dog Champ's heroic crusade against backyard birds - followed by an
invocation of the Muse.
Give a short, general outline of the action of the poem in the statement of the poem's
purpose.
Invoke the Muse next by first praising her, then by asking her to aid you in the writing of
your poem. The Muse of epic poetry was Calliope, but you can also invoke Thalia (Muse of
comedy) or Melpomene (Muse of tragedy).
Choose a particularly heroic event in the hero's life at which to start. This will be the main
action of your poem.
Begin the narrative by employing "in medias res" or "framework" narrative. Literally
meaning "into the midst of things," this is a poetic convention in which the narrative
begins in the middle of the main action and earlier events are retold through flashbacks.
The past actions thus form a framework centering around the main action.
Confront your hero with dangerous monsters and other incredible adventures. Include
vivid and explicit descriptions of warfare (particularly weapons and combat).
Use the supernatural to get your protagonist out of tough situations. If your hero or
heroine is in a no-win situation, simply send in a god or goddess to help out at the last
moment.
Abbreviated Sample of a previous students’ Epic Poetry
Golden-haired Andrew,
courageous rider of the invisible horse,
Pursued his journey head strong into
The wicked mist that
Vengeful Zeus laid upon him.
Eric, his valiant companion, assisted him on his long
Journey to the far off castle of the
Name that must not be said.
Only the bravest warriors throughout the land barely have
Enough courage to say the forbidden name of the castle
Golden-haired Andrew,
the bravest of the brace,
And Andrew’s companion ride out from their glorious home full
Of speed to the castle that must not be named.
Andrew, sensed danger all around him, lurking in the gloomy
Mist, like a shark ready to attack an unsuspecting
Fish. He went on, fearless of death, he knew nothing
Could kill the greatest warrior in all the land.
Athena, grey-eyed goddess, protected him
Where ever he went.
The trotting of the coconuts
Was the only sound that filled the air.
The crackling of the leaves on the side of cobblestone road sent a dark vibe.
It was too late to turn back, and the castle was in sight.
The red and green neon sign of “7-11” burst through
The mist and became clear.