The Epic Poem

An epic poem has the following features:

It is a long narrative poem. (narrative: tells a story)

It has very formal grammar and strong, specific vocabulary.

Traditionally, it is an oral art form. Stories were told aloud and passed from generation to generation.

Storytellers were either a minstrel (singing), a bard, or a scop.

It has a hero (“the epic hero”) who reflects the values and ideas of his culture or society.

The Epic Hero

The epic hero has skill, courage, and almost superhuman strength.

The epic hero has high moral values associated with his community.

He fights for the values and ideas that are important to his society, and….

he fights against values and ideas that his society rejects.

The hero is helped by divine beings (gods) - but sometimes they also like to get in his way.

He seeks revenge for wrongs committed against him, his family, and his society.

The epic hero always goes on a quest (a journey or voyage) for something.

The epic hero values honor and glory, and mostly succeeds in war and adventure.

He sometimes makes rash decisions and takes unnecessary risks. (rash: too quick)

At some point, the epic hero descends into darkness, either literally or metaphorically.

The epic hero achieves his goal The epic hero achieves his goal. He usually receives praise and a reward.