The Iliad is one of the first epics and so became a model that followers have imitated for more than two thousand years. Some elements of the epic in this work include:
It begins with with an invocation to the muses.
It begins in media res: this means it begins in the middle of the action. The Iliad begins near the end of the raging Trojan War.
It uses epithets, which are metaphors or descriptive...
The Iliad is one of the first epics and so became a model that followers have imitated for more than two thousand years. Some elements of the epic in this work include:
It begins with with an invocation to the muses.
It begins in media res: this means it begins in the middle of the action. The Iliad begins near the end of the raging Trojan War.
It uses epithets, which are metaphors or descriptive terms repeatedly applied to a person or thing: an example would be swift-footed Achilles or rosy-fingered dawn.
The main characters are noble figures or figures with high status in society. The stars of an epic are not everyday people, fumbling fools or peasant farmers. The Iliad features the top people in the society: kings, princes, commanders and warriors. The main character, such as Achilles, is a hero.
The hero embodies the values of the culture: Achilles is the exemplary brave and strong warrior of a warrior culture. He also has to choose between two of his culture's main values: homecoming or fame. He begs not to have to make the choice but ultimately chooses fame.
The gods are directly involved in the action of an epic. This is definitely true of the Iliad. For instance, Hera and Athena are angry at Paris, a Trojan, so actively side against Troy in the war. And the list goes on.
It contains epic catalogues or lists. The Iliad contains a famous Catalogue of Ships and the Trojan Battle Order.
It contains long speeches.
No comments:
Post a Comment