Athena, Minerva, Adam, Eve, Grendel, Beowulf.......
Ohhhhh!!!!! Epic Poetryyy!!! Let me just define that for you off of the top of my head. An epic poem is a long narrative poem with a larger than life hero which represents the society in which he lives. That same definition was drilled into my head for 3 years (Since my English teachers were BFFs). When I saw epic poetry, I had to read it.
So as Essential Literary Terms states, "They combine legend, oral histroy, and moral exemplum to inspire and guide future generations."
Each epic poem I have read has had all of the characteristics but told very different stories. From Beowulf battling the monster Grendel to save his community (and yet he had the ability to swim for 7 days straight....). In the "Illiad" and the "Aenied" Romans and Greeks fought alongside the powerful gods. Poor Achilles :(
And "Paradise Lost" involved God, Satan, Adam, and Eve battling a spiritual battle.
Each epic has a hero with unusual powers and characteristics trying to defend or fight within their society. I like epic poems because they are stories which mostly spread by word of mouth. Over years, stories have changed but once they were written down, that is now the official tale. Epics are neat, they are creative and If I were ever challenged to a contest to define an epic poem.....I'd spit it out and win in a heart beat... :)
Comments
Ha-ha, I think I might have to challenge you to that contest to see who can blurt out the definition to an epic poem faster. My teachers also drilled it into my head. I definitely agree with you, epic poems do have a certain draw to them. They seem to me to almost be the super heroes of the past. No Superman, well never fear, Beowulf is here! Also, as you commented the fact that they were able to survive all the time they did, only being repeated orally and somehow making it to us, means they really are something special. They never would have made it this far, if they weren’t.
Posted by: Greta Carroll | February 7, 2008 11:33 PM