Michelle in AL Posted September 8, 2008 Share Posted September 8, 2008 Is there a book for either me as a teacher of for the student that teaches the background behind ancient lit? For example, what is an epic poem? What is the epic hero? What are the elements of the epic poem? What is the difference between Greek tragedy & comedy? What is the background behind Greek drama? A simple, explanatory book would be much easier than me researching all this on my own. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kfamily Posted September 8, 2008 Share Posted September 8, 2008 I think I sometimes ask questions too broadly(referring to my post on resources for a classical education for grades 7-12). I would love to find a book along these lines as well! :hurray: Thank you for asking this question. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
anissarobert Posted September 9, 2008 Share Posted September 9, 2008 What a wonderful question. I would love to have this book for the ancient lit. class I am teaching. I am spending tons of research time. Thanks for asking. I hope someone has an answer! :lurk5: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jenny in Florida Posted September 9, 2008 Share Posted September 9, 2008 . . . I've found one very helpful resource is The Book of Great Books: A Guide to 100 World Classics. I found it on the bargain table at B&N, and it looks like you can order it through their website for $9: http://search.barnesandnoble.com/The-Book-of-Great-Books/W-John-Campbell/e/9780760710616/?itm=1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michelle in AL Posted September 9, 2008 Author Share Posted September 9, 2008 Thanks Jenny, this looks very good, does it include the information about what makes an epic etc? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
anissarobert Posted September 9, 2008 Share Posted September 9, 2008 Michelle, Someone on these boards the other day posted a link to a great website. They were linking some information on Herodotus, but there were lesson plans for many other topics. I have not had much time to explore it, but I did print off some information on epic poetry. The web address on my printouts is http://edsitement.neh.gov The lesson plans were under a topic called "A Story of Epic Proportions: What makes a Poem an Epic?" I also went to a glossary page and printed off the definition of Epic. It had some good info. It's not a book, but it looks pretty interesting. HTH Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michelle in AL Posted September 9, 2008 Author Share Posted September 9, 2008 Anissa, this is excellent. Here's a link to the exact that lesson in case anyone needs it: http://edsitement.neh.gov/view_lesson_plan.asp?id=587 I also ordered the WEM from my library. I began reading Aristotle's Poetics last night (found it at the library after seeing it recommended here). It is very helpful and not too hard to read. It includes info on epics, tragedies & comedies. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beth in SW WA Posted September 9, 2008 Share Posted September 9, 2008 Omni 1, perhaps? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SusanAR Posted September 9, 2008 Share Posted September 9, 2008 We used WEM and a variety of internet resources. Just google something like- "elements of an epic". Here are a few we used: http://web.viu.ca/atkinsona/elements_of_epic.htm http://www.victorianweb.org/genre/epic2.html Susan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
anissarobert Posted September 10, 2008 Share Posted September 10, 2008 Michelle, Thanks for the reminder. I have not read Poetics since college. I forgot about that part. I will get my copy off the shelf. I love these boards. I am finding such great information! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kate in seattle Posted September 10, 2008 Share Posted September 10, 2008 If you can find a copy of C.S. Lewis' "Preface to Paradise Lost", it will provide much helpful information. He has one whole lecture/chapter on the difference between primary and secondary epic (primary - Odyssey, Illiad, Beowulf, secondary - Aeneid, Paradise Lost, Divine Comedy) Poetics is a good read and will help you establish a lot of groundwork for Greek drama. Another good one to read is (something like) Poetics for Screenwriters, in which a modern day screenwriter dissects Aristotle's "Poetics" and shows how many modern day films still embody these principles. We had a great time talking about favorite movies and how they did or did not conform to the guidelines Aristotle sets forth and if doing so was to their betterment or detriment. I have neer looked at Cyndy Shearer 's (Greenleaf Press) guide to ancient literature though I have always wanted to. Put it on Susan's list to write some day! Kate in Seattle Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AllSmiles Posted September 10, 2008 Share Posted September 10, 2008 Another Hive Member, Kfamily, just posted a link to a Google book that has some of the information you are looking for. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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