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Epic Proportions
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Epic Proportions |
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Nan
Administrator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-05-20
Posts 21191Cape Cod Massachusetts USA 
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This month's workshop is one of EPIC proportions!! Jim, Bouder - I shall beget revenge on this venture…  All righty, then - Let's see how many in this class make it through the introduction. Those who remain will be receiving progress reports via email by…ummm…. The Ides…..  What is an EPIC someone asked, from the far back of the room? An epic is a long narrative poem about the deeds of a hero, who usually portrays the goals and universal values of the society. Epic poetry has been used in all parts of the world to pass societal traditions from one generation to another. These poems deal with such topics as heroic legends, histories, religious tenets, or moralisms. The most ancient of these stories were relayed from generation to generation by storytellers long before they were written. The oral epic tradition continued for as long as the people of a nation were illiterate. Epics are typically based on historical fact, blending with some legendary saga for effect. It's not unusual to see gods and goddesses intertwined in the plot, overseeing the actions of the "hero" or "heroine" of the story. Two of the greatest epics of all time are Homer's Illiad and his Odyssey. These stories are legends that were told orally in ancient Greece until Homer finally enscripted them (approximately 800 B.C.). The Odyssey alone is 1625 lines in my high school literature text. Odysseus (wasn't that Kirk Douglas?) was the epic hero whose remarkable strength of character brought him through several years of tribulations enroute from Troy (after the Trojan Wars) to his home in Ithaca where his adoring wife, Penelope, dutifully awaited his return. Odysseus encountered obstacles that no "normal" human could endure… He outwitted them all, of course. The alluring Lotus-Eaters, the evil Cyclops, the wrath of Poseidon, and the sultry Sirens (now that one was tough), were just a few of his adventures. These stories are obviously timeless ones, as they have survived already nearly three millennia. We may have a difficult time rivaling Homer, but I'm always up for a challenge….  Are you guys in the back listening to this? It's very important information, ya know!!! Anyway, that's a VERY brief synopsis of historical epics. What significance does this have for us today, you ask? Well, Today the word epic is often more loosely applied to a book or motion picture that deals in a grand way with significant historical events. Leo Tolstoi's 'War and Peace', about Napoleon's invasion of Russia, and Margaret Mitchell's 'Gone with the Wind' are examples. Even the Bible contains a number of epic stories, folks. The story of Moses (Hey - Wasn't that Kirk Douglas?), the greatest hero of ancient Israel; the story of Israel's conquest of Palestine, beginning with the book of Joshua; and the very moralistic and philosophical book of Job. Now, where shall we begin? You need to decide first what your theme will be. Epics are historically either 'folk' or 'literary.' Decide your approach. You can't begin without a plan. With your theme firmly ensconced in your befuddled heads, you'll need to outline your story. Without an outline, writing a story can be pretty difficult. Shooting from the literary hip will likely send your epic into the throes of an unkind aspirant such as the Wicked Witch of the East…. Once you've got your outline (i.e. storyline, characters, etc.) together, begin at the beginning. We'll hopefully add more to this as we go along. You guys - please feel free to contribute your 'nickel's worth' - Quarters are acceptable too…. The introductory part of an epic usually includes several features: the establishment of those forces that will develop the action; conflict (usually in the form of combat), a formal statement of the theme, an intro to the characters involved, and frequent monologues by primary characters (to establish their personna). What of format, you say? Well, Homer wrote his Odyssey in blank verse. That's unrhymed iambic pentameter, remember??? What shall you use in yours?… Decide that after you get your format in place.. Other epic examples include: The 'Ramayana' and 'Mahabharata' of India 'Beowulf', an Old English epic 'Chanson de Roland' from medieval France 'Heike monogatari' of Japan'Kalevala' of Finland 'The Divine Comedy' (1307-1321)Dante Alighieri - of Italy 'The Faerie Queene' (1590-1609) by Edmund Spenser - of England 'Paradise Lost' (1667) by John Milton, of England 'Aeneid' by the poet Virgil - of Rome 'The Prelude' (1850) by English poet William Wordsworth; 'Song of Myself' (first version 1855) by American poet Walt Whitman 'Four Quartets' (1943) by Anglo-American poet T.S. Eliot. OK…. There's a start…. Is it Friday yet???? Jim Bouder…. Revenge is sweet…..  . HEY - Where'd everybody go??? [This message has been edited by Nan (edited 03-04-2000).] |
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| © Copyright 2000 Nancy Ness - All Rights Reserved | |||
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Munda Member Elite
since 1999-10-08
Posts 3544The Hague, The Netherlands |
LOL I almost ran out, but decided to ask a question first before I do ; ) It is my understanding the theme could be of a moral nature. (I am not sure if I'm expressing myself very well here) If so, could I use fictional characters. LOL I do happen to have some in mind you know  Not that I have decided already, but Justin Kace.... |
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jbouder Member Elite
since 1999-09-18
Posts 2534Whole Sort Of Genl Mish Mash |
Nan: You better get Ron to supply some more bandwidth to this forum. I'm not sure how I'm going to keep mine under 1600 lines! This one is no harder than the sestina, btw, and it is about 20 times as fun.One quick question, is a futuristic theme acceptable if it is written as a historical narrative? Just trying to stir up trouble, as usual. Jim |
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Nan
Administrator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-05-20
Posts 21191Cape Cod Massachusetts USA |
We're in trouble already... Munda is going Loony Tunes... and Jim... Isn't 'Star Wars' an epic? Isn't 'Star Trek' an epic? |
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jbouder Member Elite
since 1999-09-18
Posts 2534Whole Sort Of Genl Mish Mash |
Thanks teach (just wanted to make sure my theme didn't adversely affect my grade). Jim |
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doreen peri Member Elite
since 1999-05-25
Posts 3812Virginia |
I'd be interested in joining this workshop to write my own epic poem.... still have an opening for a new participant? (All fictional stuff aside... hehe...if anybody needs fictional characters, like Munda, I too know where to find them) But I have words in epic proportion waiting somewhere in the right side of my brain to be written. Can doreen peri play, too? |
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Munda Member Elite
since 1999-10-08
Posts 3544The Hague, The Netherlands |
Jim, did I already thank you ? Well THANK YOU ! Gee, you really got me in trouble ! Especially since you and I will exceed those 1600 lines.....ARGH.....the workshop will explode ! Hide ! Run ! Thank goodness women and children first ! Doreen, didn't you know all this crazy stuff comes from the left side of my brain ? By the way....you're late ! Must have been that spagetti huh ? I know, it's easier to knit something with it than to eat it properly. I guess, now that I've given you a good excuse, Nan will let you in, but then again....maybe not.  |
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Not A Poet Member Elite
since 1999-11-03
Posts 3885Oklahoma, USA |
DUH!! Well Nan, I fully understood at least part of your explanation. That part about BEFUDDLED, but it does seem like some of your boys and girls are already starting with the jocularity. Watch out. Spitballs may be next. Pete What terms shall I find sufficiently simple in their sublimity -- sufficiently sublime in their simplicity -- for the mere enunciation of my theme? Edgar Allan Poe |
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Munda Member Elite
since 1999-10-08
Posts 3544The Hague, The Netherlands |
It's very quiet in class, don't you think Nan ? Think they're all writing and writing and more writing and forget to have fun ? No spitbals in my hair this time, no ducking behind me.....oh dear, it really is quiet here. I can assure you though, I'm having the time of my life with this ! Can't you hear my laughter throughout Passions ? OK,OK, I will be quiet and let you all write.........sshhhh |
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StarrGazer Senior Member
since 2000-03-05
Posts 679Texas |
I wanna play !! actually I attempted this last night... well I either wrote a epic or the longest poem I've ever written lol  ~*Love begins with a smile, grows with a kiss, and ends with a tear*~ |
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jbouder Member Elite
since 1999-09-18
Posts 2534Whole Sort Of Genl Mish Mash |
Nan: Laugh while you can. I bet you knew all along what an epic assignment does to a perfectionist. ARRRGGGHHH!!! Jim |
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Nan
Administrator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-05-20
Posts 21191Cape Cod Massachusetts USA |
I THOUGHT I SAID - "NO TALKING DURING CLASS. THERE ARE PEOPLE TRYING TO WORK IN HERE!!!" |
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Not A Poet Member Elite
since 1999-11-03
Posts 3885Oklahoma, USA |
Awright, I told you guys she was gonna yell at us. |
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jbouder Member Elite
since 1999-09-18
Posts 2534Whole Sort Of Genl Mish Mash |
Hey Pete ... do you know what a swirly is? (Munda, you get Pete's left arm, I'll get his right, Philip get his legs and Doreen can flush the toilet ... heh-heh). Unless, of course, you can hook me up with that chick with the luxurious cars, my friend. |
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Not A Poet Member Elite
since 1999-11-03
Posts 3885Oklahoma, USA |
Gosh Jim, unfortunately I can't even hook myself up with her. Besides, my wife wouldn't allow such a thing and I interpret from some of your earlier comments that yours wouldn't either. As I think back now, that was so long ago that I can't even remember her name. I remain confident, however, that it was something lovely and exotic. Man, this is really embarrassing to remember the cars but not the name. Oh ... Wait ... Something's coming back. A vision of sorts. Maybe it was Diana. Yes, yes, I think that's right. Long flowing red hair, full lips, pouty smile, sparkling blue-green eyes, no more green than blue. A body that I can't even mention in class for fear of getting detention, or worse. Aphrodite, eat your heart out. Now this memory has truly made my day, or spoiled me for the rest of the week. But, alas, she got away, so long ago.  Awright now, will you guys put me down? Someone's gonna get hurt, bonk their head or something, with this kind of play. Pete |
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Munda Member Elite
since 1999-10-08
Posts 3544The Hague, The Netherlands |
Oops Pete, how did your arm get off ? Write...scribble....200....scribble...write....500....scribble....scribble.... 1000.....laughing.....he he he ...how far are you Jimmy ? ......1300....looking good.......scribble....soon....soon....he he....1500....write....scribble........ |
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Munda Member Elite
since 1999-10-08
Posts 3544The Hague, The Netherlands |
Jim, I hate to tell you, but I am DONE !! No need to cry....here a hanky. Where are you guys anyway ? Pete ? Philip ? Or are they hiding behind you for a change ? |
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