Epic of Gilgamesh Homer’s Iliad and Odyssey Virgil’s Aeneid Beowulf Dante’s Divine Comedy John Milton’s Paradise Lost
For example, if Demi Lovato is your favorite musician, then you could make her the hero of your epic poem. Or, if you look up to your dad, then make him your epic hero.
For example, if your epic hero is Demi Lovato, then her special job or mission might be to save a whale. Or, if your epic hero is your dad, then perhaps his special task or job could be to find and fight a monster to protect humanity. Epic poems are often named after their heroes, such as Homer’s Odyssey, whose hero is Odysseus, Virgil’s Aeneid, whose hero is Aeneas, and the Epic of Gilgamesh, whose hero is Gilgamesh.
For example, you could give Demi Lovato some other celebrity companions, such as Taylor Swift or Justin Timberlake. Or, you could even insert yourself into the story as a companion! If the hero is your dad, then you might include his best friend as a companion, a celebrity sidekick, or a sidekick of your own creation! In the Epic of Gilgamesh, Gilgamesh’s companion is called Enkidu.
For example, perhaps Demi Lovato has to fight against a whale catcher, or perhaps your dad has to fight the monster that he is trying to find. In the Odyssey, Odysseus faces multiple adversaries, including a cyclops and a witch who turns Odysseus’ men into pigs.
For example, if you are writing the story with yourself as the hero, perhaps your exile could be having to change schools or move to a new city. Aeneas’s exile is a result of war, and he must flee Troy with his family as it is being attacked.
For example, if you are the hero of your epic poem, perhaps you will get into a tough situation, meet the girl (or guy) of your dreams, have your heart broken, or travel to a beautiful place.
For example, if you are writing about your own experiences with being exiled as a result of having to move or change schools, then you might have a final event in your story that allows you to begin to feel comfortable in the new setting. This might be a school dance, a sporting event, or a presentation you have to give. In the Odyssey, Odysseus returns home to find suitors trying to woo his wife, and he must fight them.
For example, you might know that you want your hero to be exiled, and then travel around the world on a search for a sacred object. Then, once they find the object, they can return home to use it.
For example, if you want to incorporate a couplet rhyme scheme, then it would look like AABBCCDD…and so on. If the first line ends with “trip,” then the second line might end with “grip. " Then, lines 3 and 4 would end with 2 different rhyming words to continue the couplet rhyme scheme.
For example, in Homer’s Odyssey, Odysseus is described as “many-minded,” while his wife is described as “prudent. ”
Ask your teacher how long your epic poem should be if you are writing an epic poem for an assignment.
For example, you could write a list of the people and adversaries your hero encounters to help you draft the invocation.
You can call on any person or persons living or dead. For example, if you want to call on a favorite musician or band, you could use Beyonce, the Beatles, or Prince for help telling your story. For example, you might write, “Sing, Beyonce, of the adventures of the songbird Demi Lovato, Inspire me with your music to tell my tale. ”
For example, you might focus on your courage as you ventured into the unknown of living in a new city, or you might focus on your dad’s ingenuity and bravery as he looked for ways to defeat a terrible monster.
For example, you might describe your exile to a new city, mention your faithful dog as your companion, and then say what people and challenges you encountered along the way.
