Epic Devices in Eight Men Speak Eight Men Speak by Oscar Ryan et al features a variety of epic devices used throughout its composition. We see “the essential truth in every word of these six acts” (Preface 5) come to life in this inspiring presentation of teaching literature. Through the use of epic drama we see the effects of our corrupt government as it is put into perspective using the epic devices of using the audience as active participants, using narrative rather than action and political engagement. These epic devices play a key role in representing the didactic message of the work. The work ensures that the reader is not only a present member of the audience, but also has presence of mind; not just listen to what the characters say, but take the initiative if they want to see change. Throughout the show, we see the use of the audience as active participants to amplify the play's didactic message. In literature we see many cases where the author uses this cognitive distancing as a way to interrupt the stage illusion and make the audience active members of the show. Force the audience into an analytical point of view instead of passively accepting what is happening in their conscious mind. This occurs over and over again in the fourth act of the play. The characters repeatedly break the fourth wall and engage the audience with open participation. We see this in the quote from the end of the fourth act of the opera:Carr (pointing through the bars): "In your support lies strength." Boychuk (pointing through the bars): “In your support lies the will” ”Popovich (pointing through the bars): “In your support lies the power” All: “To liberate you.” Carr: “To liberate the... paper... the political agenda. This epic device helps elaborate the didactic message used in Eight Men Speak. In Eight Men Speak we see a variety of techniques used to portray the teaching message, including the use of the audience as active participants, the use of narrative rather than action, and political engagement. In this epic drama from Oscar Ryan and others we see the combined effect of these epic devices coming together to potentially create some change in Canada. If this country wishes to initiate this change they will have to work together and think outside their normal cognition. We were raised as a society to fall in line and do what we are told; conform to social norms and be well-mannered parts of society. If there is to be a change, we need to work together to make it happen and this show gives us the information to do that with its approach to teaching.