ENGLISH

GRADE 8
Objectives:
At the end of the lesson students are expected to:
1.Synthesize essential information found
in the giventext.
2.Summarize the information found in the
text.
3.State the importance of the lesson in a
real life situation.
Directions: Using graphic organizer
give your ideas about the word epic.

EPIC
Topic :

Indian Epic
‘’ A Summary of Ramayana’’
• Ramayana and Mahabharata, the two great epics of India, have
captivated the hearts of its people for several millennia.
• The Rāmāyana is an ancient Sanskrit epic attributed
to the poet Valmiki and is an important part of the
Hindu canon (smrti).
• The characters of Rama, Sita, Lakshmana, Bharata, Hanumān and
Rāvana (the villain of the piece) are all fundamental to the cultural
consciousness of India.
I. Pretest

A. Directions: Choose the correct meaning of the given words from the box
provided. Write only the letter of your answer.

1. nearby 6. beg
2. debt 7. magic
3. exile 8. avail
4. flee 9. pledge
5. avenge 10. staunch
a. A solemn promise
b. Use or take advantage of
c. Loyal and committed attitude
d. Close at hand
e. Owed or due
f. Inflict harm
g. Runaway form a situation
h. Banishment
i. Ask for something
j. Mysterious tricks
Learning Activities
The word epic has been derived from the greek
word epikos, which means a word or song or speech.
An epic is well defined as a long story in verse
dwelling upon an important theme in a most elegant
style and language, Epic is one of the main forms of
poetry, as are lyrics and drama. Epic tells a dramatic
story. There are characters in the story, It is usually
long, and takes place in different settings.

There are several characteristics of an epic which

distinguishes it from other forms of poetry.
• The first and foremost characteristic of an epic is its
bulky size . An epic is an extensive and prolonged
narrative in verse. Usually, every single epic has been
broken down in to multiple books. For example,
Homer’s epics are divided into twenty four books
.Similarly, John Milton’s Paradise Lost has been divided
into twelve books.

• Another essential feature of an epic is the fact that it

dwells upon the achievements of a historical or
traditional hero, or a person of national or international
significance. Every epic extolls the valour, deeds,
bravery, character and personality of a person, who is
having incredible physical and mental traits.
• Exaggeration is also an important part of an epic. The
poet uses hyperbole to reveal the prowess of a hero.
He doesn’t think twice to use exaggeration to make an
impression on the audience.

• Supernaturalism is a must-have feature of an every

epic. Without having to use supernatural elements, no
epic would certainly produce awe and wonder. There
are certainly gods, demons, angels, fairies, and use of
supernatural forces like natural catastrophes in every
epic. Milton’s Paradise Lost, Homer’s Iliad, Beowulf
and Spenser’s Faerie Queen are replete with
supernatural elements.
·Morality is a key characteristic of an epic.
The poet’s foremost purpose in writing an
epic is to give a moral lesson to his readers.

· The theme of each epic is sublime, elegant

and having universal significance. It may not
be an insignificant theme, which is only
limited to the personality or the locality of the
poet. It deals with the entire humanity .
A Summary of Ramayana
An Indian Epic Dasharatha is the King of
Ayodhya and has three wives and
four sons, Rama, Lakshmana,
Bharata and Shatrughana. Rama is
the ideal and perfect son, and grows
up with his brothers. When he
comes of age, he marries Sita, the
princess of a nearby kingdom.
However, Bharata's mother is
Kaikeyi, who resents Rama being
the crown prince. She calls up a
debt that Dasharatha owes her and
asks for Rama to be exiled for
fourteen years and her son Bharata
be made crown prince instead.
 The devastated Dasharatha has no
choice and Rama prepares to leave for
exile. Sita and Lakshmana will not leave
his side however and follow him into the
forest. While in the forest, Surphanaka, a
female rakshasi (demoness) becomes
enamored of Rama and is wounded by
Lakshmana while trying to kill Sita. She
flees to her brother Khara and asks him to
avenge her. However, Khara and his army
are defeated by Rama and Lakshmana, and
only one member of their entire army
survives.
This lone soldier flees to the island
kingdom of Lanka and begs Surphanaka's
brother, the mighty king Ravana to avenge
them. Ravana has heard of Sita's beauty
and he decides to abduct her. Using trickery
and magic, he manages to lure Rama and
Lakshmana away from Sita and kidnaps
her, taking her away to Lanka.
Rama and Lakshmana travel
far and wide searching for Sita but
to no avail. Finally, they come
upon a band of vanaras or
monkey-men who pledge to help
him. One of the might warriors of
the vanaras, Hanuman, becomes
Rama's staunch devotee.
The vanaras seek out traces of
Sita and find she has been taken to
Lanka. Hanuman flies to Lanka
and confirms she is imprisoned
there. He contacts Sita and
informs her of Rama's
whereabouts, promising that they
will be back to rescue her. Before
returning to the mainland,
Hanuman sets fire to the whole
city of Lanka.
 Rama, Lakshmana and
the vanar army build a
causeway from the tip
of India to Lanka. They travel
to Lanka, where an epic
battle follows between the
armies. Ravana is finally
killed by Rama, and Sita is
freed. They return to
Ayodhya, where Bharata
returns the crown to Rama.
Post Test Evaluation
A.Directions: Create a sentence out of words that you have unlocked the meaning on the
pretest activity.

1.Nearby -

2.Debt -

3.Exile -

4.Flee -

5.Avenge -

6.Beg -

7.Magic -

8.Avail -

9.Pledge -

10.Staunch -
B.Directions: Answer the following questions based on the text that
you have read. Write your answers in another sheet of paper.
1.What is the title of the text that you have read?
2.Based on the summary, who was regarded as king of Ayodhya?
3.How many wives and sons did he have?
4.Who were the four sons?
5.Who was describe as ideal and perfect son?
6.Who resented Rama as he crown prince?
7.Why did Ravana abduct Sita?
8.Why do you think Bharata’s mother,Kaikeyi, resents Rama being the crown
prince?
9.If you are King Dasharatha, will you ask your ideal perfect son to leave for
exile?
Yes/No Why?
THANK YOU!
Prepared by:
Lewane Gutierrez