Epic poetry

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Epic poetry is a form of poetry. It is usually very long. It takes place in different settings. There are many people who are involved in the story. Well-known people who wrote epics were Homer, Virgil, Ovid, Dante, and Milton.

[change] Characteristics

Epics have 6 main characteristics:

1. the hero is of imposing stature. He might be of national or international importance, and of great historical or legendary significance
2. the setting is very big. It covers many nations, the worlds or the universe
3. the action is made of deeds of great valour or requiring superhuman courage
4. supernatural forces--gods, angels, demons--interest themselves in the action
5. It is written in a very special style
6. The poet tries to remain objective

Conventions of Epics:

1. It starts with the theme or subject of the story
2. Writer invokes a Muse, one of the nine daughters of Zeus. The poet prays to the Muses to provide him with divine inspiration to tell the story of a great hero. (This convention is obviously restricted to cultures which were influenced by Classical culture: the Epic of Gilgamesh, for example, or the Bhagavata Purana would obviously not contain this element)
3. Narrative opens in medias res, or in the middle of things, usually with the hero at his lowest point. Usually flashbacks show earlier portions of the story.
4. Catalogues and genealogies are given. These long lists of objects, places, and people place the finite action of the epic within a broader, universal context. Often, the poet is also paying homage to the ancestors of audience members.
5. Main characters give extended formal speeches.
6. Use of the epic simile
7. Heavy use of repetition or stock phrases.