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EDSITEment! - A Story of Epic Proportions: What makes a Poem an Epic?
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Activity Description
Source: http://edsitement.neh.gov/lesson-plan/story-epic-proportions-what-makes-poem-epic#sect-introduction (License: Protected by Copyright (c) [i.e. screenshot])
This lesson will introduce students to the epic poem form and to its roots in oral tradition. Students will learn about the epic hero cycle and will learn how to recognize this pattern of events and elements- even in surprisingly contemporary places. Students will also be introduced to the patterns embedded in these stories that have helped generations of storytellers remember these immense poems.
Preparation
- Review the lesson plan, then find and bookmark relevant websites and useful materials. Download and print out the documents you will be using in class, such as the chart of elements of the Elements of the Epic Hero Cycle (PDF), or its interactive equivalent.
- Review the background materials on epic poetry (scroll down to the actual "Epic" entry on the web page), the Elements of the Epic Hero Cycle (PDF), the oral transmission of epic poems, and the use of mnemonic devices, accessible through the EDSITEment-reviewed web resource, Internet Public Library.
How-To
Activity 1. What are the elements of an epic poem?
- Review with students the definition and elements of epic poetry
- Distribute the charts listing the major elements of the Elements of the Epic Hero Cycle (PDF)
- Ask students to work together to fill in examples of each of the epic hero cycle elements on their charts.
- Ask students to share their results.
- Read aloud to the class, or distribute copies for students to read, the opening paragraph of two or more traditional epic poems from the list compiled by the class.
- Ask students to identify elements such as the opening invocation in the opening lines of these poems or the connection of the hero to his homeland.
Activity 2. Pass it On!
- Explain to students that epic poetry has its roots in oral, rather than literate tradition.
- Divide students into small groups where they will work on definitions of "oral tradition" and "literate tradition."
- Ask each group to choose a fable, fairy tale, or other story they all know. Ask them to identify the most important characters, objects and actions in the story.
- Next, ask students to compare their list of story elements with other groups in the class.
Teacher Tips
Ask students to write a definition for epic poetry, and to give at least one example of a traditional epic poem, such as The Iliad. Ask students to fill in the right side of the chart with the corresponding information from an example of a story that follows the epic hero cycle. Ask them to name at least one modern story that follows the epic hero cycle.
Ask students to define "oral tradition" and "literary tradition." Have them write a short essay explaining at least one mnemonic device that would have helped bards in remembering poems that were thousands of verses long.
More Ways
•Explore the texts of some of the most well know epic poems, such as The Iliad, The Odyssey, and The Aeneid on the EDSITEment-reviewed website, The Perseus Project. •Learn more about the great epic tradition of India in the EDSITEment lesson plan, The Lessons of the Indian Epics: The Ramayana.
Program Areas
- ASE: High School Diploma
Lesson Plan
Warm-up
Activity: Epic Heroes in Pop Culture
- Show students images or short clips of modern-day heroes from movies, books, or video games (e.g., Harry Potter, Wonder Woman, Spider-Man, Moana, or Luke Skywalker).
- Ask: What makes these characters heroic? What qualities do they have?
- Discuss student responses and introduce the idea that many of these heroes follow a pattern called the Epic Hero Cycle.
Introduction
- Explain that today’s lesson will explore the characteristics of epic poetry and the epic hero cycle.
- Share the learning objectives:
- Identify the key elements of an epic poem.
- Understand how epic poetry was passed through oral tradition.
- Recognize the epic hero cycle in both classic and modern stories.
- Ask students: Can you think of any ancient stories or legends that have been passed down for generations?
Presentation
- What is an Epic Poem?
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- Define epic poetry: a long, narrative poem detailing the adventures of a hero.
- Provide examples: The Iliad, The Odyssey, Beowulf, The Ramayana.
- Highlight key features: invocation of a muse, vast setting, supernatural elements, heroic deeds.
- The Epic Hero Cycle
- Display a chart of the Epic Hero Cycle (birth/lineage, call to adventure, supernatural aid, trials, triumph, return).
- Read excerpts from The Odyssey or Beowulf and identify elements of the hero cycle.
- Discuss: How do modern heroes follow this pattern?
Practice
Engagement
Enhancement
Activity 1: Analyzing an Epic Hero
- Divide students into small groups and assign each group a well-known epic hero (e.g., Odysseus, Beowulf, Rama).
- Provide a graphic organizer with the Epic Hero Cycle.
- Have students find and write examples of each stage of the hero’s journey from their assigned text.
- Groups present their findings to the class.
Activity 2: Pass It On! (Exploring Oral Tradition)
- Explain how epic poems were originally told orally, with mnemonic devices helping bards remember thousands of verses.
- Have students work in small groups to pick a well-known fairy tale or fable (e.g., Cinderella, Little Red Riding Hood).
- Each group creates a short, rhyming version of their story to make it easier to remember.
- Groups take turns performing their stories aloud, demonstrating how oral tradition works.
Evaluation
- Exit Ticket: Students write their own definition of epic poetry and provide one example of an epic poem.
- Chart Completion: Students fill in the right side of the Epic Hero Cycle chart using a modern story.
- Short Essay: Students explain the difference between oral and literary traditions and describe one mnemonic device that ancient storytellers might have used.
Application
- Find an Epic in Pop Culture: Students choose a modern movie, book, or game that follows the Epic Hero Cycle and create a short presentation explaining how it fits.
- Epic Poetry Writing: Students draft a short epic poem featuring their own hero, incorporating key elements like invocation, heroic deeds, and supernatural assistance.
- Explore More: Students read excerpts from The Iliad, The Odyssey, or The Aeneid and summarize their hero’s journey.
Documents
- Story of Epic Proportions.png - Screenshot of a portion of the Story of Epic Proportions Lesson Plan
Subjects
- English Language Arts
- Literature
- World Literature
- Language Arts - Reading
- Comprehension
Standards
- Reading
- CCR Anchor 1 - Read closely to determine what the text says explicitly and to make logical inferences from it; cite specific textual evidence when writing or speaking to support conclusions drawn from the text.
- CCR Anchor 4 - Interpret words and phrases as they are used in a text, including determining technical, connotative, and figurative meanings, and analyze how specific word choices shape meaning or tone.
- CCR Anchor 9 - Analyze how two or more texts address similar themes or topics in order to build knowledge or to compare the approaches the authors take.
- Speaking and Listening
- CCR Anchor 1 - Prepare for and participate effectively in a range of conversations and collaborations with diverse partners, building on others’ ideas and expressing their own clearly and persuasively.
- CCR Anchor 2 - Integrate and evaluate information presented in diverse media and formats, including visually, quantitatively, and orally.
Tags
reading, epic, Greece, Greek, hero, Illiad, Odyssey, oral, pattern, poem, poetry, read, story, storytelling, tradition, Troy, compare, contrast, edsitement
Creative Commons License
CC BY: This license allows reusers to distribute, remix, adapt, and build upon the material in any medium or format, so long as
attribution is given to the creator. The license allows for commercial use.