What is an epic? Characteristics and Types of an Epic.

 

Epic

Definition

The word epic is derived from the Ancient Greek adjective, “epikos”, which means a poetic story. In literature, an epic is a long narrative poem, which is usually related to heroic deeds of a person of an unusual courage and unparalleled bravery. In order to depict this bravery and courage, the epic uses grandiose style.

Characteristics of an Epic

There are several characteristics of an epic, which distinguishes it from other forms of poetry. They are discussed below:

§  The first and foremost characteristic of an epic is its large size. An epic is an intensive and prolonged narrative in verse. Usually, each single epic has been countermined in to multiple books. as an example, Homer’s epics area unit divided into 24 books. Similarly, John Milton’s Paradise Lost has been divided into twelve books.

§  Another essential feature of an epic is that the proven fact that it dwells upon the achievements of a historical or ancient hero, or an individual of national or international significance. each epic extolls the courage, deeds, bravery, character and temperament of an individual, who has unbelievable physical and mental traits.

§  Exaggeration is additionally a vital part of an epic. The writer uses image to reveal the superior skill of a hero. He doesn’t deliberate to use exaggeration to create an impact on the audience.

§  Supernaturalism may be a must-have feature of each epic. While not having to use supernatural components, no epic would definitely turn out awe and surprise. There square measure actually gods, demons, angels, fairies, and use of supernatural forces like natural catastrophes in each epic. Milton’s Paradise Lost, Homer’s epic poem, fictional character and Spenser’s Faerie Queen square measure replete with supernatural components.

§  Morality may be a key characteristic of epic. The poet’s foremost purpose in writing Associate in Nursing epic is to offer an ethical lesson to his readers. for example, Johan Milton’s Paradise Lost may be a good example during this regard. The writer desires to justify the ways in which of God to man through the story of Adam. this can be the foremost informative theme of the epic.

§  Invocation to the Muse is another vital quality of an epic. The poet, at the terribly starting of the epic, seeks the assistance of the Muse whereas writing his epic. inspect the start lines of the epic poem, Odyssey and Paradise Lost.

§  The diction of each epic is lofty, grand and stylish. No trivial, common or informal language is employed in epic. The author tries to use chic words to explain the events.

§  Use of Epic trope is associate degree another features of an epic. Epic trope could be a far-fetched comparison between 2 objects, that runs through several lines to explain the valorousness, bravery and large stature of the hero. it's additionally known as Homeric trope.

Types of an epic

There are two main types of epic:

§  Folk.

§  Literary.

Folk

Folk epic is an old type of poem that was originally told in oral form. Over time authors tried to preserve them by writing them down in arduous copies This meant that the story changed slightly depending on who was writing it down. So, nobody really knows about the exact authorship of the folk epics. The folk’s epic variety of poetry is totally different from literary poetry just because the previous is predicated on a selected mythology, whereas the latter is predicated on the ideas of the author. Within the literary epic, the author invents the story, whereas the folk’s epic is bases on the mythology of the section, like traditional knowledge for instance. the folk’s epic is essentially in oral type, whereas the literary epic is in written type. The author of the literary epic may be a well-known temperament, whereas the author of the folk’s epic may be anyone!

In an Introduction to the Study of Literature William Henry Hudson says:

“The epic of growth is fresh, spontaneous, racy, the epic of art is learned, antiquarian, bookish, imitative. Its specifically ‘literary’ qualities-its erudition, its echoes, reminiscences, and borrowings- are indeed, as the Aeneid and Paradise Lost will suffice to prove, among its most interesting characteristics for a cultured reader.”

Let’s look at the following lines from Beowulf:

Lo! the Spear-Danes’ glory through splendid achievements
The folk-kings’ former fame we have heard of,
How princes displayed then their prowess-in-battle.
Oft Scyld the Scefing from scathers in numbers
From many a people their mead-benches tore.
Since first he found him friendless and wretched,
The earl had had terror: comfort he got for it,
Waxed ’neath the welkin, world-honor gained,
Till all his neighbors o’er sea were compelled to
Bow to his bidding and bring him their tribute:
An excellent atheling! After was borne him
A son and heir, young in his dwelling,
Whom God-Father sent to solace the people.

 

Literary Epic

Literary epic is typically called art epic. It's an epic, that imitates the conventions of the folk epic, however offers it a written form. It's fully opposite to the folk epic. They were written in contrast to the folk epics, that came all the means all the way down to us through oral tradition. The literary epics tend to be additional polished, coherent, and compact in structure and magnificence once contrasted with the folk epics. Literary epics are the results of the genius of the author. That's why they need nice significance from literary purpose of read.

William Henry Hudson says in An Introduction to the Study of Literature:
“The literary epic naturally resembles the primitive epic, on which it is ultimately based, in various fundamental characteristics. Its subject-matter is of the old heroic and mythical kind; it makes free use of supernatural; it follows the same structural plan and reproduces many traditional details of composition; while, greatly it necessarily differs in style, it often adopts the formulas, fixed epithets, and stereo typed phrases and locutions, which are among the marked feature of the early type.”

Look at the lines taken from Milton’s Paradise Lost:

OF MAN’S first disobedience, and the fruit
Of that forbidden tree whose mortal taste
Brought death into the World, and all our woe,
With loss of Eden, till one greater Man
Restore us, and regain the blissful Seat,
Sing, Heavenly Muse, that, on the secret top
Of Oreb, or of Sinai, didst inspire
That Shepherd who first taught the chosen seed
In the beginning how the heavens and earth
Rose out of Chaos: or, if Sion hill
Delight thee more, and Siloa’s brook that flowed
Fast by the oracle of God, I thence
Invoke thy aid to my adventrous song,
That with no middle flight intends to soar
Above the Aonian mount, while it pursues
Things unattempted yet in prose or rhyme.
(Paradise Lost by John Milton)