CHC2110

Epic poetry

A S McDevitt

8 points - 3 hours per week - Second semester - Clayton

Objectives This subject aims, through a study of Homer's Iliad and Odyssey, to enable students to develop an appreciation of Greek epic poetry as a vehicle for the exploration of human and moral issues of universal and timeless importance, and to develop also an understanding of the special qualities of epic poetry as a genre, whereby it differs from shorter forms, and in particular those qualities which distinguish oral epic from written epic.

Synopsis This subject consists of a literary study of Greek and Roman epic poetry by means of texts in translation.

Assessment Seminar paper (1500 words): 25% Essay (2000 words): 35% Examination (3 hours): 40%

Prescribed texts

Homer Iliad tr. R Lattimore, U Chicago P
Homer Odyssey tr. R Lattimore, Harper

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