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An epic poem is an elaborate narrative about an important event. It contains a character of incredible stature and courage who performs superhuman deeds with valor in terrific battles or journeys, and these glorious deeds are of national significance. This Penlighten article tells you about the characteristics and examples of epic poetry.
- Homeric Similes
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- Homeric Similes
- The Characters in Epic Poetry
- The Form of Epic Poetry
- Supernatural Forces in Epic Poetry
- Examples of Epic Poetry
- Related Literary Terms
- Other Resources
When considering epic poetry, more than likely, your thoughts immediately go to the two works attributed to Homer, the Iliad, and the Odyssey. The main characters of these works–Odysseus, Achilles, Hector, Agamemnon, Priam, Helen– are all heads above other men and women of their time for their bravery, and of course, in Helen’s case, for her beauty...
Just as the characters in epic poetry have to be grand enough to stand up to the form, so too does the form have to do justice to the character. The verse is normally elaborate and therefore able to exaggeratethe already otherworldly qualities of the characters of an epic. Almost every epic in the Western literary canon makes use of a dactylic hexa...
The heroes in epic poetry are often assisted or stymied by known or unknown supernatural forces. This is a literary technique known as dues ex machina. It refers to the intervention of a god or more than a natural force into a narrative. This technique is usually applied in order to push the story towards a certain conclusion or change up what coul...
Paradise Lost by John Milton
One of the most widely read epics today, Paradise Lost, tells the story of Satan’s fall from Heaven, Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden, and Satan’s attempts to fight a war against the angels remaining in Heaven. Here is a quote: Read more John Milton poems.
The Divine Comedy by Dante Alighieri
As mentioned above, The Divine Comedy is an epic that details the poet’s journey through the various stages of the afterlife. He’s led on this journey by Virgil, the poet responsible for the epic poem (that continues the story of the Trojans after the conclusion of the Iliad),the Aeneid.Here is a quote:
The Metamorphoses by Ovid
Ovid’s most famous and lasting work, The Metamorphoses, was written in 8 AD. It is made up of 11,995 lines and spans 15 books. It is usually considered an epic, but there are such a variety of themes and tones tapped into within the poem that it is sometimes classified into other genres. The verse tells around 250 individual stories within its lines. Altogether, they depict the story of the world’s creation to the birth of Julius Caesar. Here is a quote:
Extended Metaphor: a literary term that refers to a long metaphorical comparisonthat can last an entire poem.Read: The Odysseyby HomerListen: Classics Summarized – Paradise LostListen: The Iliadby HomerSep 11, 2024 · epic, long narrative poem recounting heroic deeds, although the term has also been loosely used to describe novels, such as Leo Tolstoy ’s War and Peace, and motion pictures, such as Sergey Eisenstein ’s Ivan the Terrible. In literary usage, the term encompasses both oral and written compositions. The prime examples of the oral epic are ...
- Atsuhiko Yoshida
An epic is a long narrative poem that is elevated and dignified in theme, tone, and style. As a literary device, an epic celebrates heroic deeds and historically (or even cosmically) important events. An epic usually focuses on the adventures of a hero who has qualities that are superhuman or divine, and on whose very fate often depends on the ...
Aug 16, 2021 · From Melville and Tolkien, voluminous tales of ancient heroes embarking on lengthy journeys are common in prose literature. But before they were documented in prose, these lengthy narratives fell into the domain of epic poetry.
Oct 9, 2024 · Epic poetry is a narrative style that recounts a heroic and lofty tale. Elements of epic poetry include length, formal language, and an emphasis on the deeds of historical figures characterize these poems. Epics frequently delve into the interplay between heroes, the divine, deity, bravery, and destiny.
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Feb 13, 2024 · An epic poem is a long narrative poem written in verse that is often the length of a novel. The narrative typically tells the story of a single person or a group of people. Classic epic poetry was initially an oral tradition passed down by bards and celebrated the heroic actions during a historical or cosmic event.
