Literary terms
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Created by:
bakergirl13 Plus on April 18, 2012
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21 terms
Terms | Definitions |
|---|---|
 kleos | greek word meaning renown or glory -glory of a hero, what others hear about you -song or poem of praise in honor of a hero |
| setting | covers several locations, whole world or even the universe |
| catalogs | long lists |
| histories | descriptions of significant items (who made it, how it was decorated, who owned it) |
| journey to the underworld | epic poems often have hero go to the underworld |
| patronymics | calling son/ daughter by father's name- using lineage |
| role of the gods | the gods and lesser divinities play an active role in the outcome of actions |
| epic hero- favoritism | 1. the deeds of the hero are presented w/o ______ revealing his failing as well as his virtue |
| epic hero- more than human | 2. action, often in battle reveals _______ strength of the heroes as they engage in acts of heroism and courage |
| epic hero | 3. hero is larger than life, often the source and subject of legend or a national hero |
| 1. one of the greatest poets in history 2. no evidence of his actual existence 3. wrote Iliad and the Odyssey 4. blind 5. gathered tales from long tradition of oral poetry from Bronze Age, 500 years before | What do we know about Homer? |
| xenia | concept of hospitality- provide food, drink, and bath -respect from guest to host (must not be a burden) - parting gift |
| stock-epithet | repeated words or phrases that describe character |
| en medias res | to begin in the middle of things |
| invocation | beginning of epic poems often includes an invocation to the muses (omniscient goddesses of poetry, art, music, dance to inspire poets |
| muse | 9 godesses to inspire poets and help tell stories- represent art forms |
| Calliiope | muse of eloquence and epic or heroic poetry, mother of great poets and musicians Orpheus and Linus |
| statement of themes | epic poem often begins w/ statement of major themes |
| epic simile (homeric simile) | an extended simile often running to several lines, used typically in epic poetry to intensify the heroic stature of the subject and to serve as decoration |
| what is the cause of the Trojan war? | Paris takes Helen (Menelaus's wife) to Troy and marries her, then Menelaus brings force to take her back |
| Telemachia | first four books of the odyssey about Telemachus on his quest for knowledge |
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