The Epic

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The Epic Connecting the Ancient with the
Modern vs.
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What Makes an Epic?

• Traditionally an EPIC was a long, narrative poem.
• The Iliad
• The Odyssey
• Modern literature has moved away from poetry and
  now uses the more popular prose format.
• Media has also moved away from the poetic
  dialogue in exchange for more conversational and
  realistic dialogue.

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What Makes an Epic?

• An EPIC addresses universal concerns
• Good vs. Evil
• Life and Death
• Sin and Redemption
• Braveheart
• The Lord of the Rings
• Gladiator

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What Makes an Epic?

• An EPIC is set in many locations (real or
  imaginary)
• Lawrence of Arabia
• The Arabian Dessert
• StarWars
• A whole galaxy far, far away
• Doctor Zhivago
• Russia

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What Makes an Epic?

• The hero is traditionally of high importance.
• Modern epics tend to down play the heros status
• Titanic Rose (the true hero) is of high social
  class
• Gladiator Maximus was once a great general
  before becoming and mere gladiator
• Braveheart William Wallace is but a farmer, yet
  he gets raised to legendary status

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What Makes an Epic?

• The hero is pitted against overwhelming odds and
  must be courageous and strong in an EPIC
• The Ten Commandments Moses must lead the people
  out of Eygpt
• StarWars Luke must fight against the evil
  empire and Darth Vadar
• Gone with the Wind Scarlett must support her
  family while the Civil War ravages the South

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What Makes an Epic?

• Traditionally an EPIC included supernatural
  events and beings playing an important role.
• Modern epics have moved away from the
  supernatural to focus on reality.
• Even Troy, based on Homers The Iliad, removes
  the active roles of the Greek gods such as Athena
  and Apollo.

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So what does remain of the traditional epic in
modern film?

• Most epic films contain at least three or four of
  the traditional characteristics.
• Address universal concerns
• Set in a variety of locations
• Hero must overcome obstacles
• Hero is still often of high stature

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What has been lost from the epic?

• The Poetic Form
• Poetic dialogue in now considered old fashioned
  and unrealistic.
• Writers and directors attempt to create dialogue
  that sounds old, but not old-fashioned.
• Audiences often call poetic dialogue corny and
  claim it takes them out of the action and
  disturbs the flow of the film.

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What has been lost from the epic?

• The Variety of Locations
• Some films that are considered epic have very few
  settings. The journey has been reduced to
  mentally growing and maturing.
• Troy includes a few different settings, but 90
  of the film takes place right outside of Troy.

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What has been lost from the epic?

• The Supernatural Playing an Important Role
• Epic films are practically devoid of the
  supernatural.
• Again, the writers and directors prefer to be
  realistic.
• There are references to the gods, ghosts, and
  religion, but they rarely make a physical
  appearance.
• One exception is Jason and the Argonauts.

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• There is one Epic Characteristic that can be
  found in almost every epic film

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The HERO!

• The majority of epic films have retained the
  hero, one character who rises above the rest and
  overcomes great obstacles.
• So what makes a hero a hero?

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What makes a Hero?

• The Hero is the main character
• He/she undertakes a journey in search of
  identity and wholeness which involve
• Learning
• Growing
• Taking Risks
• Making Sacrifices
• Overcoming Obstacles
• He/she has human flaws

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Lets Look at a Hero

• Rose from Titanic
• Main character of Titanic
• Takes a literal journey on the Titanic as well as
  a mental journey from spoiled rich girl to free
  spirit
• Learns that money and status are not more
  important than love and freedom
• Grows from an immature brat into a mature woman
• Takes risks by associating with Jack and the
  other passengers down below as well as refusing
  to get on the life boat without Jack
• Overcomes the obstacle of pandering to her
  mother, breaking away from her abusive fiancé,
  survives the drowning of the Titanic, and creates
  a whole new life for herself.
• Rose's flaw is her inability to make choices on
  her own.

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Lets try another

• Luke Skywalker from StarWars
• Luke is the main character of the films.
• Luke takes a literal journey across the galaxy to
  several planets as well as a mental journey from
  young boy to grown man.
• Luke learns how to fight for good against evil,
  who his true father is, and how to forgive his
  father.
• Luke grows into his Jedi skills.
• Luke risks his life by joining Obi-wan Kenobi,
  saving Princess Leia, fighting with the Jedi, and
  fighting with Han Solo.
• Luke unknowingly sacrifices his aunt and uncle as
  well as his low-key life on planet Tatooine.
• Luke must overcome the temptation to join the
  dark side like his father.
• Lukes flaw is his impatience to grow up and
  become a Jedi.

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Now its your turn.

• Choose a film that you believe to be an EPIC
• Does it address universal concerns?
• Is it set in a variety of locations?
• Is the hero has high status?
• Is the hero pitted against overwhelming odds?
• Are there any supernatural beings?

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Now lets look at the hero.

• Is he/she the main character?
• Does he/she go on a literal or mental journey?
• Does he/she learn anything?
• Does he/she grow in any way?
• Does he/she take risks?
• Does he/she make sacrifices?
• Does he/she overcome obstacles?
• Does he/she have any flaws?

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Why has the EPIC lasted for so long?

• It addresses issues that are universal, can apply
  to any time and culture.
• It is considered a classic.
• Everyone wants to be a hero.
• An epic includes adventure which appeals to a
  variety of ages.
• The epic is often a blockbuster that draws in
  audiences and money!

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Now a little something extra

• One thing a lot of epics have PARODIES!
• Spaceballs
• Monty Python and the Holy Grail
• Epic Movie