Epic literature is one of the most beloved genres of literature. Writers like to allude to and some try to model their own work after it. Students hate it and filmmakers love it. But how do you identify an epic in a time when the passing of time itself along with society has skewed what a true epic is?
What is Epic?
An epic is most easily and loosely defined as a long, narrative poem on a grand scale. The details the extraordinary deeds, actions, and adventures of a person typically considered significant to a particular culture. An epic may be one of two types: primary or secondary. Epic poems follow what Joseph Campbell has coined and describes as the Hero’s Journey. Epic literature often features supernatural elements, audiences with gods or goddesses, and a journey to the underworld
How to pronounce Epic?
Why have epic poems stood the test of time?
Writers use epics to recount stories and tales of significance. An epic poem often turns the entire history of a single people or culture into something tangible, engaging, and memorable. Epic poems focus on the deeds of a single hero who is significant to a culture or has foundations in a culture’s origin story. Due to the purpose of an epic, epic poems are the direct result of stories told through generations that are eventually combined into one cohesive tale by a bard, clergyman, or scholar.
Due to the very nature of an epic poem, modern writers find it difficult to create such works. That is not to say many have not tried. Great modern examples of epic literature that work are J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Lord of the Ringsand Derek Walcott’s Omeros, modeled after the Greek classics.
How do you know an epic is an epic? Key Features of Epic Literature
Identification of an epic is not that difficult. All you must do is keep an eye out for certain features. The most prominent of those features being the Hero’s Journey. Now to be fair, the hero’s journey also contains specific elements used to identify both the Hero’s Journey and if the text is, in fact, an epic.
Key elements pertaining to the Hero’s Journey as outlined by Joseph Campbell are:
The Big 3 –
Of course, it’s not simple. Within each of the 3 primary aspects of the hero’s journey are other key elements which determine the Hero’s Journey. If any of the key elements are missing, the text is not considered an example of epic literature.
In total, Campbell outlines 17 stages of the hero’s journey. For example, a key feature of the departure is the hero’s uncertainty to leave. Typically speaking, the hero must be prodded into his journey by either a close friend or mentor.
Once out in the world, the hero faces many challenges. These often elements of the supernatural and can be mythological in nature. He must journey to the underworld, which sometimes involves the hero’s death and revival, and he must fail.
I know, I know. You’re thinking, Fail? That doesn’t make sense. But yes, the hero must fail, and miserably, so that he may lift himself up to complete the task at hand before returning triumphant.
Now it is true that Campbell outlined 17 stages to the hero’s journey, but the aspects of that journey which seem most relevant to that journey have been highlighted. For a deeper understanding of the Hero’s Journey, give The Hero with a Thousand Faces a read.
Types of Epic Literature
- Epic literature consists of two types: primary and secondary. Primary epics consist of such tales as Gilgamesh, The Iliad, and Beowulf because these texts are compilations of oral stories passed down through generations and culturally significant to the culture each represents. Primary epics originate from primitive and/ or oral myth, legend, folk tale, and/ or history. At some point, they were compiled by either a poet or bard and written down into one cohesive tale. Epics such as these are significant on a national scale and usually embody a particular culture’s beliefs, values, and ambitions.
On the other hand, secondary epics are usually composed and written down almost immediately after a significant event occurs. The Aeneid is a great example of a secondary epic because it was composed soon after Romulus and Remus founded Rome. Other great examples include Dante’s The Divine Comedy, Milton’s Paradise Lost and Walcott’s more modern Omeros.
Primary Story-Telling: The Epic Throughout History in Literature 📚
- When most of us think of classic epic literature, the same examples always pop into our minds. This is probably because the tropes established in those stories have been manipulated and recounted over-and-over again in modern texts and film. For this reason, discussion of the classic epic poems such as Referring specifically to classics such as The Iliad and The Odyssey will not occur here. But not to fear, the examples below are both classic and sometimes humorous.
- Epic literature often consists of stories which continue to influence people in their native lands. Examples of such texts include oral traditions like The Epic of Gilgamesh written c. 2100-1200 BC. For those unfamiliar, a first read may come off as fantastical and disbelieving, but to ancient Mesopotamians, the poem was no silly tale. In fact, it was viewed more like gospel.
- Derived from oral stories and passed down to people over generations before being written down, the poem recounts the heroic deeds and adventures of Gilgamesh, a legendary king of Uruk. The Epic of Gilgamesh was viewed as an origin story of sorts and the lessons contained within were believed to be a guide on how to live life.
- Originating in Scandi Beowulf was eventually written down somewhere between. 700-1000 AD. Curiously enough, at some point, it was written down in Olde English rather than its native tongue. As a result, the text is rather controversial because the accuracy of the text cannot be verified and there exists the possibility that both interpretation and context could be incorrect in places.
The Epic Greats, Secondary Style
Regardless, like the tale of Gilgamesh, Beowulf, too, was an oral tale passed down through the generations recounts Beowulf’s defeat over the monster Grendel and it is often viewed as a cautionary tale. Beowulf’s acts of bravery also eventually led to him being crowned king of the Geats.
Dante Alighieri’s The Divine Comedy – The Divine Comedy is possibly one of the most perfect examples of epic literature and the hero’s journey. It’s not as difficult to make sense of as Spenser’s metaphorical The Faerie Queene or as philosophical as Milton’s Paradise Lost. Rather, it may be classified as a perfect middle ground between the two. Dante Alighieri’s epic poem details the journey and trials Dante must face as he is guided through Hell, Purgatory, and Heaven.
Ever this writer’s favorite, Miguel Cervantes’ epic novel, Don Quixote (1605 and 1615) was originally published in two separate parts. The story recounts the adventures of knight-errant Don Quixote and his quest to find love and ensure chivalry prevails. As a well-read, older, and low-ranking nobleman, Don Quixote holds no ill-will toward his fellow man nor is he bitter about his humble means. A true romantic, his wish that chivalry will always prevail. Sadly, our hero dies in the end, but the journey leading up to his death is one of misunderstanding and comedy. In the following excerpt, bear witness to Don Quixote’s embarrassing defeat by a windmill.
“… he spurred his horse Rocinante without heeding what his squire Sancho was shouting to him, that he was attacking windmills and not giants. But he was so certain they were giants that he paid no attention to his squire Sancho’s shouts, nor did he see what they were, even though he was very close. Rather, he went on shouting: “Do not flee, cowards and vile creatures, for it’s just one knight attacking you!”
At this point, the wind increased a bit and the large sails began to move, which don Quixote observed and said: “Even though you wave more arms than Briaræus, you’ll have to answer to me.”
When he said this—and commending himself with all his heart to his lady Dulcinea, asking her to aid him in that peril, well-covered by his shield, with his lance on the lance rest —he attacked at Rocinante’s full gallop and assailed the first windmill he came to. He gave a thrust into the sail with his lance just as a rush of air accelerated it with such fury that it broke the lance to bits, taking the horse and knight with it, and tossed him rolling onto the ground, very battered.
Sancho went as fast as his donkey could take him to help his master, and when he got there, he saw that don Quixote couldn’t stir—such was the result of Rocinante’s landing on top of him. “God help us,” said Sancho.”
In this excerpt, note the detail given to every moment leading up to the pitiful defeat as Cervantes tries to create the perfect, most memorable image he can of Don Quixote’s windmill adventure.
Literary Tools Rooted in Epic Literature 🧸
Because an epic poem is, well, epic, it comes as no surprise the traditional literary tools such as simile, take on a whole new form and meaning in an epic. It also comes as no surprise that specific literary devices have been named and identified as examples of epic literature.
Out with the old, in with the new …
An Epic Simile is still a simile in that it is a comparison between two unlike things using the words “like” or “as.” What makes it epic is that the simile is no longer contained to one or two lines. In fact, the comparison may continue for many lines, stanzas, or even pages. Literally, pages.
Epic poems are so long and so complex that writers need to include an Epic Catalog :, an actual listing of people, places, objects, or other things that are just to keep them straight. Epic catalogs are widely recognized as one of the most striking features of epic literature.
Epic Conventions refers to specific elements common to the epic genre. This includes the Hero’s Journey as well as specific elements such as the supernatural or mystical, mythological, the presence of a hero, the grand quest, superhuman abilities, and great deeds.
The Epic Hero is the main character, the star, the grand champion and is usually male (yes, it’s not PC, but you must consider the time periods of most epics). He is typically a larger-than-life figure who often possesses a divine ancestry and/or superhuman powers or abilities. He may be the protagonist or simply a main character, but he’s the star of the show and the one to follow.
A final tricky technique which may be found in epic literature is the Epic Inversion. The technique is not common and is usually defined as an inversion of the Homeric epic, or technique used to reverse the order of events in an epic, often to create suspense or surprise.
Given the complexity and popularity of the idea of epic poetry, it stands to reason writers will continue to try and recreate something resembling the classic epic. And who knows, with the advent of new technologies, they might even be able to succeed.
Translating the Epic to the Big Screen 🎥
While attempting to translate the epic poem into film, modern cinema does fairly well. The issue is what is perceived to be derived from epic literature. However, with that being said, director Wolfgang Peterson did a wonderful job of capturing the essence and grandiose of Homer’s battle descriptions in The Iliad and The Odyssey in his 2004 film, Troy. Check out the scene below.
Often Confused With…/Related literary devices 👥
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