epic poem
Grand narrative verse
An epic poem is a long narrative poem recounting heroic deeds and adventures, typically featuring legendary figures, supernatural elements, and themes of cultural or cosmic significance. *The Iliad*, *The Odyssey*, *Beowulf*, and *Paradise Lost* are classic examples.
The form traditionally employs elevated language and formal verse structures.
We spent the semester reading epic poems from different cultures.
One admired for courage
- questSeeking journey for something
- valorCourage in danger
- warriorOne skilled in combat
- odysseyExtended adventurous journey
triumph · courage · adventure · deed · bravery · champion · glory · battle
Ancient Greek epic composer
- IliadAncient Greek war epic
- OdysseyEpic of homecoming
- GilgameshMesopotamian epic protagonist
- BeowulfOld English epic's protagonist
Aeneid · Mahabharata · Ramayana · Virgil · oral tradition · invocation · bard · papyrus
Calling upon higher authority
- propositionStatement expressing a judgment
- journeyTravel from place to place
- questSeeking journey for something
- narratorOne who tells events
in medias res · catalogue · epithet · foreshadowing · flashback · descent · homecoming · recognition
hero
One admired for courage
odyssey · triumph · courage · adventure · deed · bravery · champion · glory · battle · victory
Homer
Ancient Greek epic composer
Beowulf · Aeneid · Mahabharata · Ramayana · Virgil · oral tradition · invocation · bard · papyrus · antiquity
invocation
Calling upon higher authority
- propositionStatement expressing a judgment
- journeyTravel from place to place
- questSeeking journey for something
narrator · in medias res · catalogue · epithet · foreshadowing · flashback · descent · homecoming · recognition · transformation
verse
Metered poetic passage
canto · book · rhyme · alliteration · kenning · epithet · caesura · enjambment · sung · recitation
pantheon
All gods of a religion
Asgard · underworld · Hades · demigods · titans · oracles · prophecy · divine intervention · cosmogony · theogony
- early literatureessay, novel, pamphlet, early novels, treatise
- narrative poetrymedieval romance, chivalric romance, folk ballad, lay, saga
- talestale, funny stories, tall tales, short story, yarns
- myth & legendquest, hero journey, dragon slaying, treasure hunt, magic sword
- written worksessay, novel, anthologies, history books, letter
- epicIliad, Odyssey, Beowulf, Aeneid, Gilgamesh
epic poemlight verse
Humorous, often rhyming poetry
doggerel · nonsense verse · greeting card verse · limerick · jingle
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