Epic Poems Essay Example

Defining the Epic

Epic is a term used to refer to a type of long narrative poem used in the celebration of cultural significance themes and heroic achievements. In the Western canon, epic has remained to be one of the outstanding and respectful works from the Gilgamesh earliest Mesopotamian tales to the other works of philosophers such as Virgil and Homer among many others. Irrespective of their origin century or place, there are specific characteristics shared by epics making them diverse from other literary expressions that are less ambitious (Matus, 1-2).

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Length and structure

The sheer range of an epic poem is one of its primary notable characteristics. For example, the "Iliad" has 12,000 lines whereas the "Odyssey" has up to 15,000 (Matus, 1-2). The composition of the ancient epics got done orally and rigid, tonally melodic rhyme schemes used by the poets in the management and organization of the narrative. One of the earliest written epic by Virgil was known as "Aeneid" had this trend continued with the objective of approximating the gravitas and high-minded style of Homer's works (Rafiq, 1). Dactylic hexameter is what both Virgil and Homer used whereas, in English epics, simpler pentameter is what usually gets employed.

Historical Setting and Sweeping Scope

In epics, it gets claimed that they have historical events related and these are usually events from a remote area, and the basis of this is generally with the directive of defining heritage or having societal values transmitted. Epic narratives have the history informing them taking place on a grand scale which in most cases is a progression of years. For example, looking at the "Iliad" it portrays a Trojan War that is decade-long and which symbolized a legendary significance (Matus, 1-2). The "Aeneid" on the other hand gives the Aeneas adventurous life. It also recounts the mythic father of Rome, and have the link between the Greek golden age and Augustine Rome fabricated.

The Epic Hero

Whereas large character casts get invoked by literary epics, the outside exploits of a central hero also get focused by the literary epics. Despite such heroes getting presented as a mortal, they tend to have superhuman abilities. For instance, in the "Iliad," Achilles is a fighter branded as peerless and whose character gets stated as the perfect war instrument. In the "Odyssey" there is superhuman abilities and exceptional wit possessed by Odysseus who is an archer (Rafiq, 1). In "Beowulf" we see the single character who in his old age slays a dragon with his only hand. In the epic poem, such heroes are followed for years as they manage achievements after achievement, and the cultures generating such heroes are allowed to claim mythic, influential forebears that have traits that are treasured such as intelligence, strength, and bravery embodied.

Presence of the Supernatural

In all epics, there is the supernatural invoked, in most cases through the gods directly intervening into the affairs of the world. The characteristic of supernaturalism together with the main characters of the hero has the motif to significance carried in the portrayed events, as well as posting the divine legitimacy of the displayed cultural history (Matus, 1-2). For instance, in "Odyssey," Poseidon and Athena who are gods hinder and help Odysseus. "The divine comedy" presented by Dante acts as the attempt of his angelic muse, Beatrice, with the aim of knowing impacted to have his outward existence corrected.

Works cited

Matus D. What Are the Characteristics of Epics in Literature? Seattle. (2018). https://education.seattlepi.com/characteristics-epics-literature-5234.html

Rafiq M. The Epic: Definition, Types & Characteristics. Owlcation (2018). https://owlcation.com/humanities/The-Epic-Definition-Types-Characteristics#