Preview

What is an Epic?

Satisfactory Essays
Open Document
Open Document
639 Words
Grammar
Grammar
Plagiarism
Plagiarism
Writing
Writing
Score
Score
What is an Epic?
What Is Epic
An epic (from the Ancient Greek adjective ἐπικός (epikos), from ἔπος (epos) "word, story, poem"[1]) is a lengthy narrative poem, ordinarily concerning a serious subject containing details of heroic deeds and events significant to a culture or nation.[2] Oral poetry may qualify as an epic, and Albert Lord and Milman Parry have argued that classical epics were fundamentally an oral poetic form. Nonetheless, epics have been written down at least since the works of Virgil, Dante Alighieri, and John Milton. Many probably would not have survived if not written down. The first epics are known as primary, or original, epics. One such epic is the Old English story Beowulf.[3] Epics that attempt to imitate these like Milton's Paradise Lost are known as literary, or secondary, epics. Another type of epic poetry is epyllion (plural: epyllia), which is a brief narrative poem with a romantic or mythological theme. The term, which means 'little epic', came into use in the nineteenth century. It refers primarily to the erudite, shorter hexameter poems of the Hellenistic period and the similar works composed at Rome from the age of the neoterics; to a lesser degree, the term includes some poems of the English Renaissance, particularly those influenced by Ovid.[citation needed] The most famous example of classical epyllion is perhaps Catullus 64.
In the East, the most famous works of epic poetry are the Ramayana and Mahabharata, with the Iliad and the Odyssey, which form part of the Western canon, fulfilling the same function in the Western world
When we refer to epic poetry in the context of ancient literature, we usually refer to the two Greek poems attributed to
I. Homer,
1. The Iliad (about the role of Achilles in the Trojan War), and
2. The Odyssey (about the misadventures of Odysseus trying to return from the Trojan War and the shenanigans of the suitors trying to usurp his place back in Ithaca),
II. and the derivative one in Latin by Vergil,
• The

You May Also Find These Documents Helpful

  • Powerful Essays

    | Characteristics of the genre: An epic poem is a lengthy narrative poem that usually tells about a serious subject containing details of heroic deeds and events significant to a culture or nation.…

    • 4402 Words
    • 18 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Good Essays

    1. Epic is a long narrative poem involving heroic figures and supernatural events and written in elevated style. Identify some elements of epic in the Iliad.…

    • 445 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    1. The term epic refers to a long narrative about a hero or a god. In the epic poem Odyssey, the narrative takes the shape because it is written in meter. The Odyssey is an epic poem because it is a long narrative poem, and it focuses on an epic subject such as the suffering of Odysseus life, as he deals with being absent from his home and family for twenty years. (Why is The Odyssey is an epic poem)…

    • 682 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    World History Study Guide

    • 1130 Words
    • 5 Pages

    The Iliad and the Odyssey; last year of the Trojan war and heroes from the Trojan war…

    • 1130 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Good Essays

    Odysseus as an Epic Hero

    • 751 Words
    • 4 Pages

    What is an epic hero? Homers’ “Odyssey” is about an epic hero named Odysseus and his quest home. “The Odyssey” begins after the Trojan war had left Odysseus trapped, pointlessly seafaring for 10 years after angering Poseidon, the god of the sea. He tries desperately to return home to Ithaka and his wife, Penelope, and newborn son, Telemachus. Odysseus then has many hardships upon which he overcomes through his intelligence and wit. Odysseus is an epic hero because he is intelligent, he listens to the god’s advice, and he is witty; able to think on his feet. With the help of the gods he can survive things most men couldn’t.…

    • 751 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    The Odyssey, written by Homer, is an Epic Poem in which Odysseus, King of Ithaca, has fought in the Trojan War and he and his men are now on their journey home. While on their journey, they come across many obstacles and challenges in which only Odysseus makes it home. Through the acts, words, and thoughts of the character, one is able to see Odysseus make it back home with his family. The setting in this Epic is adventuress covering the Aegean and surrounding seas and eventually ends in Ithaca, in northwestern Greece. In the Epic The Odyssey, Odysseus is arrogant, courageous, and intelligent character.…

    • 646 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    An epic is a long narrative poem that celebrates a hero's deeds. Epics came into existance as spoken words and poets retold them from one generation to the next. All epics concern the actions of a hero. The hero, known as a legendary figure who performs deeds requiring incredible courage and strength. The hero embodies character traits that reflect lofty ideals. Beowulf and Perseus fit into these categories because they both show traits of courage. They also show strengths by battling the evil. The story of Beowulf and the story of Perseus are comparable because they share similar hero traits, and the challanges they face are alike.…

    • 426 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Good Essays

    Obstacles In The Odyssey

    • 705 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Homer’s The Odyssey is often used to base if other works of literature are epic poems. According to Johnston, The Odyssey is an epic poem because of its length and relations to series of books, the way is starts off in the middle and then takes the reader on a journey to discover the while story, and Johnston goes on to say, “One of the most curious historical facts about epic poems is that they tend to get written when the civilization they are celebrating is clearly passing away or has disappeared completely; Homer's poems are about a culture which no longer exists in quite the same manner in his day…

    • 705 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Better Essays

    Odysseus vs. Gilgamesh

    • 1477 Words
    • 6 Pages

    The epic poems The Odyssey, written by Homer, and Gilgamesh, translated by David Ferry, feature the struggles and triumphs of two epic heroes, Odysseus and Gilgamesh. Epic heroes exemplify six common traits. They are all strong fighters, complete with physical beauty and intimidation. The epic hero is dangerous yet protects ordinary people. There is always an encounter with death and the cosmos. They are superhuman, but they are not supernatural, although they come in contact with the supernatural. There are struggles with overwhelming difficulties while on a quest for self-discovery or some sort of goal, however all ordeals are overcome by quick intellect. Despite all the difficulties and obstacles, epic heroes always return from an extremity back to a normal lived life. Odysseus and Gilgamesh both attribute these traits, however both have other similarities and differences. Both have several different virtues and faults.…

    • 1477 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    The Odyssey by Homer is an epic about the king Odysseus trying to get back home after 15 long years in the war. In Homer’s book The Odyssey, the main character Odysseus clearly develops as a epic hero. A great warrior, he is faced with leading his country to war against the Trojan Army. This war has him away from his kingdom Ithaca for fifteen years. But through his great determination and courage, he completes his mission and restores honor to Ithaca.…

    • 82 Words
    • 1 Page
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Good Essays

    Odysseus

    • 1238 Words
    • 5 Pages

    An epic is described as a long narrative poem with all its elements considered epic including epic heroes, epic plot, epic themes, and epic settings. In The Odyssey, an epic written by Homer, all these elements are used. The Odyssey is a good example of an epic because it incorporates all the necessary components.…

    • 1238 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Study

    • 476 Words
    • 2 Pages

    1) Which of the following is not a characteristic of an epic, or epic poem?…

    • 476 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Good Essays

    Is Odysseus An Epic Hero?

    • 513 Words
    • 3 Pages

    An epic hero is someone who embodies the ideals of a society. He overcomes obstacles, and is courageous, intelligent, and honorable. He is on an epic journey. The Odyssey is usually described as an epic poem of an epic hero. The following text is about whether or not Odysseus really is an epic hero.…

    • 513 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Star Wars

    • 748 Words
    • 3 Pages

    The Odyssey and Star Wars are two great examples of epics. Both the stories fulfill the epic hero cycle to the fullest. In The Odyssey, Odysseus is the hero, he goes to Troy to fight a war and gets lost at sea for 20 years. In Star Wars Luke is the hero, he gets introduced to the rebel force that is trying to ensure the safety of their universe.…

    • 748 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    An Epic Hero

    • 669 Words
    • 3 Pages

    In the epic poem Beowulf, many qualifications can be found for the archetype, Beowulf, to be an epic hero. His bravery is shown through his desire for a quest and a battle with a supernaturally strong man-eating beast. He is unafraid of his imminent death battling the sinister, evil monster, Grendel. He is highly esteemed and his reputation for greatness precedes him after defeating Grendel. These traits are proved throughout this Anglo-Saxon epic poem.…

    • 669 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays

Related Topics