Epic Poems A Historical Context - 1474 Words

Vincent Probst Classical Mythology Professor Barefield Odyssey Final Paper 5/4/2015 Topic #1 Epic poems are being interpreted as immense drawn-out stories which often encompass an emotional plot with a historical context. Epic stories also need to be written on a serious influential subject that requires an overall goal, which the protagonist needs to pursue and accomplish. Granted, while there are many modern epics, The Odyssey composed by Homer in the eighth century B.C, is indisputably one of the most famous and oldest surviving epics. Its plot is centered on Odysseus, warrior king of Ithaca who desperately undertakes an eight-year long journey in an effort to return home to his wife and family. A sequel to Homer’s Iliad, the Odyssey picks up, following the events of the Trojan War and the death of Achilles. Although there is no information about Homer himself, the oral formulaic performance theory suggests that these stories were composed verbally and passed on from generation to generation. In fact, the Odyssey and the Iliad were not written down for another two hundred years and as a result, there is room of debatable speculation on the originality of the text itself. Right from the beginning the reader is made aware about the subject matter of the Odyssey. â€Å"Sing to me of the man, Muse, the man of twists and turns †¦driven time and again off course, once he had plundered the hallowed heights of Troy. Many cities of men he saw and learned their minds, many painsShow MoreRelated Comparison of Odyssey, Divine Comedy, and Paradise Lost Essay1089 Words   |  5 PagesComparison of Odyssey, Divine Comedy, and Paradise Lost      Ã‚   Epics by definition are long narrative poems, that are grand in both theme and style (Webster 417).   They usually involve actions of great glory and are typically centered around historical or legendary events of universal significance.   Most epics deal with the deeds of a single individual, however, it is not uncommon to have more than one main character.   Epics embody several main features including: supernaturalRead MoreA Critical Appraisal of: Beowulf and Gilgamesh Essay examples1640 Words   |  7 Pagescomparisons that can be drawn between the epics of Beowulf and Gilgamesh. 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The text itself throughout this story speaks much to the concept of life and death and what the afterlife is like according to Dante and this is an epic that the Catholic church to this day denounces to a large degreeRead MoreThe Aeneid A Kind Of Propaganda, Cicero s Second Philippic1351 Words   |  6 P agesBattle of Actium entrains several issues. This essay will discuss Virgil’s Latin epic ‘The Aeneid’, a kind of propaganda, Cicero’s ‘Second Philippic’ a piece written with personal and political intentions in mind, and Plutarch’s Rome in Crisis regarding Antony. One must treat these sources with caution, not least because of the inherent bias present in their writing. It is necessary to take into account the context, type of source and how the author has shaped material for their own personal or political