Siegfried is a figure of enormous strength and courage. In exile, his bride, Sita, is kidnapped by king Ravana and Rama gathers an army of monkeys to rescue her. He is a virtuous character who is loved by his people but finds himself exiled by his stepmother. Prince Rama is an incarnation of the god Vishnu. The two men battle but eventually become friends and battle the gods together. The gods create Enkidu, a primitive man equal to Gilgamesh in strength. Early in the poem, Gilgamesh is a brutal king who enslaves his people. He is described as two parts god and one part man. This ignorance can lead to their downfall in some cases. Arrogance- epic heroes are often used to winning and will ignore their character flaws.Courage- these characters are not afraid of a challenge and often lead in battle.Supernatural aid- epic heroes often rely on magical assistance such as Odysseus calling on Athena for advice.Strength- they possess otherworldly power or talent.Supernatural or noble birth- these heroes are born of noble or divine parents.These characters are legendary figures who inspire fear and respect through their incredible prowess. The heroes of epic poetry are extraordinary individuals who possess superhuman capabilities. What are the characteristics of Epic Poetry?Įpic poetry is written in a formal, elevated style - These poems take place across a vast setting and feature diverse terrains - The plot often involves supernatural elements - Use of a third person, the omniscient narrator - Poems transmit culture and traditions across generations - Plots often detail myths, histories, or religious tales - The story centers around the feats, strength, or courage of an epic hero. Epic Poetry DefinitionĪn epic poem is a book-length narrative, told in verse, that usually recounts the heroic adventures of extraordinary characters. He is like a mascot for the Greeks, making it all the more devesting when he dies. Achilles fights in the Trojan war on the side of the Greeks, and he is their champion. These heroes’ fates are often tied to the future of their nation, tribe, or people.įor example, The Iliad, an ancient Greek epic, features Achilles, whose mother dipped him in the River Styx, making him immortal. ![]() One of the earliest known epics, The Epic of Gilgamesh, dates to 2100 BCE.Įpic poems tell the stories of heroic, often superhuman, protagonists such as gods, demi-gods, or other extraordinary characters. ![]() The word epic derives from the ancient Greek epos meaning word or poem. Epic poetry is one of the oldest forms of storytelling. So, in this article, we will look at what makes an epic poem, its features, its significance, its place in history, and how an epic poem is different from other forms of poetry and storytelling.Īn epic poem is a book-length work of fiction, written in verse and retelling the heroic deeds of an extraordinary person or group of people. For thousands of years, epic poetry was the dominant form of entertainment. Storytelling is a tradition that is as old as civilization. This epic poem was the ancient world’s version of a modern day blockbuster. The Epic of Gilgamesh is a poem written in the earliest known civilization, ancient Sumer, almost 3000 years ago. The oldest known story in human history is not a novel, play, or even a folk tale-the oldest piece of literature known is a poem, an epic poem, to be precise.
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