The Lusiads
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Workshop Title: Epic Journeys and Heroic Legacies – A Study of The Lusiads and Epic Poetry
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Session 1: The Epic Invocation and Divine Inspiration
Focus:
Explore the tradition of invoking the Muse or a higher power to inspire the poem.
Readings: Writing Prompt:
Write your own epic invocation. Who or what would you call upon for inspiration, and why?

Session 2: The Hero’s Journey and National Identity
Focus:
Examine how epic poetry often centers on a hero’s journey to define or protect a nation’s identity.
Readings: Writing Prompt:
Create a character sketch of a hero whose journey shapes or defines a community or nation in your own words.

Session 3: Encounters with the Supernatural
Focus:
Analyze the role of gods, monsters, and magical beings in shaping the protagonist’s fate.
Readings: Writing Prompt:
Write a short scene where your hero faces a supernatural obstacle during their journey.

Session 4: Fate, Prophecy, and Divine Will
Focus:
Discuss how epic heroes confront fate and prophecy.
Readings: Writing Prompt:
Compose a prophecy for your hero. How does it both guide and complicate their journey?

Session 5: Glory, Honor, and Legacy
Focus:
Investigate the theme of eternal glory and the desire to be remembered.
Readings: Writing Prompt:
What does your hero want their legacy to be? Write a eulogy or an inscription that would be placed in honor of them.

Session 6: Comparative Epic Poetry Synthesis
​Focus:
Synthesize key motifs across multiple epics and The Lusiads.
Readings: Writing Prompt:
Write a comparative essay: How does The Lusiads reinforce and innovate epic motifs such as heroism, national identity, divine intervention, and legacy?
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