Republic of the Philippines

NUEVA VIZCAYA STATE UNIVERSITY

Bayombong, Nueva Vizcaya
INSTRUCTIONAL MODULE
IM No.: GEELEC3-1S-2021-2022

College: TEACHER EDUCATION

Campus : BAMBANG

DEGREE PROGRAM BEED COURSE NO. GEELEC 3

SPECIALIZATION COURSE TITLE GREAT BOOKS
YEAR LEVEL 2ND YEAR TIME FRAME 3 hrs WK NO. 1 IM 1
NO.

I. UNIT TITLE/CHAPTER TITLE: Overview on Epics

II. LESSON TITLE

1. Definition of Epics
2. Epic Conventions
3. Epic Elements
4. Two Types of Epics

III. LESSON OVERVIEW: This lesson is focused on the overview on epics – it’s definition, conventions,
elements and types.

IV. DESIRED LEARNING OUTCOMES: At the end of the chapter, the students are expected to:

1. define epic;
2. enumerate and explain the epic conventions and elements; and
3. compare and contrast the two types of epics.

V. LESSON CONTENT

Definition
An epic is a long narrative poem that recounts the deeds of a hero or group of heroes often in
the context of events that shaped a nation’s history.

Narrative – story or piece with well-defined structure

Robert Scholes and Kellogg – state that narrative is a product; narration is the product
Story is something teleological (cultural status)
Open to some updating, continuation
End the way it should end (teleology)
Intervene so the epic appears differently from the epic of antiquity (different versions)
Form is changeable, revised
Kernel story - most important part of the story. There may be different versions but that part of the
story remains
Narrative element is important (plot, story, structure)

Epical – span of time, space, dimension

Epical scope is related to material/historical; something to do with nation, allegorical
Soledad Reyes called it romance, historical is linked to nation involved

11000BC (past of Homer) Homer 300BC Latter Iliad 200BC

Theory of pastness of the past
Which past are we talking about
Past is highly political entity
Historiographic metafiction - used for works of fiction which combine the devices of metafiction and
historical fiction
“In accordance with Section 185. Fair Use of a Copyrighted Work of Republic Act 8293, the copyrighted works included in this material may be
reproduced for educational purposes only and not for commercial distributions.”

NVSU-FR-ICD-05-00 (081220) Page 1 of 4

 Republic of the Philippines
NUEVA VIZCAYA STATE UNIVERSITY
Bayombong, Nueva Vizcaya
INSTRUCTIONAL MODULE
IM No.: GEELEC3-1S-2021-2022

Classic epic – is about the hero, character should be larger than life

Representation – leader, archetype, standout

Represents a group or community
Unforgettable

Embodiment of the best

Consciously or unconsciously- writers, myth makers

In epics, the hero generally participates in a cyclical journey or quest, faces adversaries that try
to defeat him in his journey and returns home significantly transformed by his journey. The epic hero
illustrates traits, performs deeds, and exemplifies certain morals that are valued by the society the epic
originates from.

Epic Conventions (Garcia and Dimalanta, 1994)

1. The exploits of a hero (usually national) which furnish the theme
2. The invocation to the muse
3. The beginning in medias res
4. The epithets and epic similes
5. The divine intervention in human lives
6. The lengthy monologues
7. The use of the dactylic hexameter

Conventions of Epics (Battles, 2014)

1. Proposition. Opens by stating the theme or cause of the epic.
2. Invocation. The writer invokes a Muse (one of the 9 daughters of Zeus) to ask for divine inspiration to
tell the story of a great hero.
3. In medias res. The narrative opens in the middle of things, with the hero at his lowest point. Flashbacks
show earlier portions of the story.
4. Enumeratio. Catalogues and genealogies are given. These long lists of objects, places, and people
place the finite action of the epic within a broader, universal context. Often, the poet is also paying
homage to the ancestors of audience members.
5. Epithet. Heavy use of repetition or stock phrases.

Elements of Epics
1. Legendary Hero. The protagonist is very famous during his lifetime. In ancient epics, the hero is usually
partially-divine or protected by the gods.
2. Superhuman Strength, Bravery, and Adventure. The hero is capable of unbelievable physical and
mental feats that no real human could accomplish.
3. Expansive Settings. The hero’s adventure spans across time and space, even to other worlds and
dimensions.
4. Supernatural Elements. The plot and characters are shaped by supernatural and other-worldly
elements, such as time travel, space travel, immortality, gods, demons, angels, mythical creatures, and
superpowers.
5. Omniscient Narrator. The narrator is all-seeing and all-knowing, and shares every character’s
perspective with the audience.
6. Exaggerated Writing Style. Usually, the writing style is overly formal or exaggerated, using many
decorative literary devices.

Two Types of Epics

1. Folk Epic
- Folk epic is an ancient epic, which was originally in oral form. With the passage of time, one author or
many authors tried to preserve them in the form of writing. Thus, nobody happens to know about the
exact authorship of the folk epics. The folk epic is on a particular mythology. In the folk epic, narrative is
the product of the mythology of the locality. The folk epic is basically in oral form. The author of the folk
epic may be a common man.
“In accordance with Section 185. Fair Use of a Copyrighted Work of Republic Act 8293, the copyrighted works included in this material may be
reproduced for educational purposes only and not for commercial distributions.”

NVSU-FR-ICD-05-00 (081220) Page 2 of 4

 Republic of the Philippines
NUEVA VIZCAYA STATE UNIVERSITY
Bayombong, Nueva Vizcaya
INSTRUCTIONAL MODULE
IM No.: GEELEC3-1S-2021-2022

- unknown author, translated orally, aroused from oral traditions, participation from the community
- examples: Beowulf, Lam-Ang, Swedish and Irish Epics- these have many versions, use crude language
and have dangling episodes

2. Literary Epic
- Literary epic is usually known as art epic. It is an epic, which imitates the conventions of the folk epic,
but gives it a written shape. It is absolutely opposite to the folk epic. They were written unlike the folk
epics, which came all the way down to us through oral tradition. The literary epics tend to be more
polished, coherent, and compact in structure and style when contrasted with the folk epics. Literary
epics are the result of the genius of the poet. That is why; they have great significance from literary
point of view.
- refined, polished, commissioned
- conscious at its attempt to mythologize the nation
- foundational
- examples: Aeneid, Divine Comedy, Le Cid

VI. LEARNING ACTIVITIES

Name: _____________________________________ Course/Section:__________________

I. Watch the video on the link below to have a background on the Epic of Gilgamesh.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BV9t3Cp18Rc

II. Read the text “The Story of the Flood” from the epic of Gilgamesh and answer the following
questions scholarly.

1. Why was there a great flood, according to the epic? Who or what caused it?

2. Compare the account of the flood in the Epic of Gilgamesh with that described in the book of
Genesis from the bible. How are they similar? How are they different?

3. What does the story of the flood reveal about Mesopotamian gods and people’s attitudes
toward them?

4. What do you think the epic tells about the Mesopotamian view of life?

VII. ASSIGNMENT
Research about the Epic of Gilgamesh in the internet and complete the chart below to explain how The
Epic of Gilgamesh reflects the characteristics of an epic. Use specific examples from the text as you
complete each column.

Characteristics of an Epic Example from The Epic of Gilgamesh

The hero is of noble birth or
high social position.

The hero embodies

character traits that reflect
the ideals of a society.

The poem uses formal

diction and a serious tone.

“In accordance with Section 185. Fair Use of a Copyrighted Work of Republic Act 8293, the copyrighted works included in this material may be
reproduced for educational purposes only and not for commercial distributions.”

NVSU-FR-ICD-05-00 (081220) Page 3 of 4

 Republic of the Philippines
NUEVA VIZCAYA STATE UNIVERSITY
Bayombong, Nueva Vizcaya
INSTRUCTIONAL MODULE
IM No.: GEELEC3-1S-2021-2022

The poem reflects universal

themes.

VIII. EVALUATION
Quiz on Google Classroom.

IX. REFERENCES

Battles, Paul. “Toward a Theory of Old English Poetic Genres: Epic, Elegy, Wisdom Poetry, and the
‘Traditional Opening.’” Studies in Philosophy. 2014.

Cruz, J. Q., Del Rosario-Garcia, M., Solmerano, E. M., Chancoco, J. L., & Palencia, M. M. (2019).
GREAT BOOKS: A Treasury of World Literature. Mandaluyong City, Philippines: Azes Publishing
Corporation.

Fioro, Soraya F. The epic of Gilgamesh, the king who tried to conquer death. Retrieved from
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BV9t3Cp18Rc on October 29, 2021

Garcia, Carolina and Ophelia Dimalanta. Highlights of World Literature. Manila: UST Publishing House.
1994.

Hidalgo, Cristina P. Fabulists and Chroniclers. The University of the Philippines Press, Quezon City.
2009.

Hutcheon, Linda. A Poetics of Postmodernism: History, Theory, Fiction. Routledge: New York. 1988.

Lesson Plan: Elements of an Epic. Retrieved from

https://www.pixton.com/schools/teacher-resources/lesson-plans/elements-of-an-epic

Rafiq, Muhammad. The Epic: Definition, Types & Characteristics. September 1, 2019. Retrieved from
https://owlcation.com/humanities/The-Epic-Definition-Types-Characteristics

Scholes, Robert, James Phelan and Robert Kellogg. The Nature of Narrative. Fortieth Anniversary
Edition. Oxford University Press, USA. 2006.

Wei, Angela. “Historiographic Metafiction: ‘The Pastime of Past Time.’” November 4, 1998. Retrieved
from http://www.eng.fju.edu.tw/Literary_Criticism/postmodernism.Hutcheon_online.html

Prepared by: FRITZIE A. SISON, MAT Adapted by: GIANNE ERL A. LUCAS

“In accordance with Section 185. Fair Use of a Copyrighted Work of Republic Act 8293, the copyrighted works included in this material may be
reproduced for educational purposes only and not for commercial distributions.”

NVSU-FR-ICD-05-00 (081220) Page 4 of 4