About Epic Poems

Epic poetry is one of the oldest forms of poetry known in literature. With its focus on the adventures and accomplishments of heroic figures, epic poetry has remained popular in its many forms from hundreds of years before Christ to the efforts of modern poets. It continues to influence poetry and modern writing today.

History

Epic poetry's roots lie in the oral poetry traditions of ancient societies. The work of these early poets, such as the Odyssey and the Iliad by Homer, are known as primary epics. Many of these were later written down and influenced the next phase of epic poetry development, literary (also known as secondary) epics.
Originally, poetry in the epic form was a way for preliterate societies to aid the memorization and transmission of history, stories and traditions from generation to generation.

Identification

All epic poems are long, highly stylized narrative poems that tell, often at great length, the adventures, exploits and achievements of a heroic character. The hero, especially in epic poems dating from ancient times, is often an important figure in the poets' culture or religion.

Features

The heroes of epic poetry are often engaged in quests in which they must face a number of enemies and difficulties. When the hero returns home at the end of his journey, he comes back as a changed person.
An epic poem is characterized by nine literary devices or themes used by the author: the narrative is preceded by an invocation to the muse. The storyline begins in the middle of the story and orients readers with the use of flashbacks. The beginning of the epic includes a statement of the poem's theme. Descriptive words or phrases are known as epithets (for instance, Homer's "the wine-dark sea"). The epic also includes a vast setting encompassing many nations or even the entire universe, long lists, lengthy character speeches, heroes that embody the culture's ideals and a definite sense of the intervention of divine personalities in human affairs.

Expert Insight

Many literary experts consider the following epic poems to be the best examples of the genre: The Epic of Gilgamesh; Homer's Odyssey and Iliad; the Book of Job; Virgil's Aeneid; Ovid's Metamorphoses; Beowulf; Edmund Spenser's The Faerie Queen; and John Milton's Paradise Lost.

Significance

The conventions used in epic poetry have influenced modern culture greatly. Many modern coming-of-age stories, particularly those in fantasy, science fiction, or young adult stories, follow the path set down by the epic poets for their heroes. Many embark on heroic quests, conquer adversaries and obstacles, and later return as a changed individual. From Star Wars' Luke Skywalker, J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter, and even James Joyce's Leopold Bloom in Ulysses, the influence of epic poetry is evident.