Epic genre

Main

An epic is a long narrative poem that recounts the extraordinary adventures and heroic deeds of a legendary or historical figure, often a warrior or nobleman. These grand tales typically chronicle events that are central to the history and culture of a particular people or nation, reflecting their values, beliefs, and identity. The epic hero at the center of the story embodies the ideals of their society and often undergoes a perilous journey or quest, facing supernatural challenges and adversaries along the way.Epics are vast in scope, sometimes spanning many years or even generations, and frequently involve divine intervention in human affairs. The stakes are high, with the fate of entire civilizations hanging in the balance. A famous example is Homer's Iliad, which tells of the Trojan War and the Greek hero Achilles' rage and its consequences.

Terms

• Epic: a lengthy narrative poem celebrating a hero's incredible feats and their lasting impact on a people or nation

• Epic hero: the central figure of an epic, a larger-than-life character who embodies the ideals and values of their society

• In medias res: Latin for "in the middle of things", refers to the epic convention of beginning the story in the midst of the action rather than at the very beginning

• Invocation: the opening of an epic, in which the narrator calls upon a muse or deity for inspiration and states the poem's grand theme

• Epithet: a descriptive phrase or title used to characterize a person, thing, or place, often used repeatedly in epics as a mnemonic device and to enhance the story's grandeur

Analogy

An epic is like a marathon, a grueling journey that tests the hero's endurance and spirit. The hero must pace themselves through the twists and turns, overcoming obstacles with determination. Supported by friends and the divine, the hero, like a marathon runner, emerges transformed, their story becoming a source of pride and identity for their people.

Misconception

A common misconception is that epics are merely long stories. However, length alone does not make an epic. It is the content and structure, such as the presence of an epic hero, vast scope, and grand themes, that define the genre. A lengthy novel lacking these elements would not be an epic, while a shorter poem like Beowulf, which adheres to epic conventions, is considered one.

History

1. Ancient period (before 500 CE): Earliest known epics, such as Gilgamesh, Mahabharata, Iliad, and Odyssey.

2. Classical period (500 BCE-500 CE): Epic tradition flourished, including Aeneid, Beowulf, and Shahnameh.

3. Middle Ages and Renaissance (500-1600 CE): Epics written in vernacular languages, like Song of Roland, Cantar de Mio Cid, Divine Comedy, and Orlando Furioso.

4. Modern era (1600 CE-present): Epic concept expanded to novels, films, and video games, such as War and Peace, Seven Samurai, and Mass Effect.

How to use it

1. When analyzing a lengthy poem or narrative, consider the presence of epic conventions such as an epic hero, vast scope, grand themes, and divine intervention to determine whether the work can be classified as an epic. For example, when studying Homer's Odyssey, one would note the epic hero Odysseus, the decade-long scope of his journey home from the Trojan War, the themes of hospitality and loyalty, and the frequent meddling of the gods in mortal affairs.

2. If you are writing a story and wish to imbue it with a sense of grandeur and timelessness, consider incorporating elements of the epic tradition. This could involve creating a larger-than-life hero who embodies the values of their society, setting the story against a vast and sweeping backdrop, exploring weighty themes of universal human significance, and perhaps even including supernatural or divine elements. For instance, J.R.R. Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings trilogy features an epic hero in Frodo Baggins, a sprawling fantasy world, themes of good versus evil and the corrupting influence of power, and the intervention of angelic beings like Gandalf and the Balrog.

3. When discussing works of literature, film, or other media that have a grand scope, high stakes, and an epic feel, consider comparing them to classic epics to underscore their cultural significance and artistic achievement. For example, one might argue that George Lucas's Star Wars saga is a modern epic, with its archetypal hero Luke Skywalker, its galaxy-spanning conflict between the light and dark sides of the Force, and its profound influence on popular culture and the science fiction genre.

Facts

• The ancient Greek philosopher Aristotle's Poetics (c. 335 BCE) provides one of the earliest and most influential discussions of the epic genre, using Homer's works as prime examples.

• The longest epic poem in the world is the Mahabharata, an ancient Indian Sanskrit epic that tells the story of the Kurukshetra War and contains over 200,000 individual verse lines.

• The English word "epic" comes from the Latin epicus, which in turn comes from the ancient Greek adjective epikos, meaning "of or pertaining to narrative poetry."

• Many of the oldest surviving examples of human literature, such as the Sumerian Epic of Gilgamesh and the Homeric epics, are written in the epic genre, testifying to its ancient roots and enduring appeal.

• The epic has had a profound influence on Western literature, serving as a model and inspiration for countless writers and poets throughout history, from Virgil and Dante to Milton and Joyce.