Among the main Characteristics of the epic Emphasizes that it is a large literary construction that narrates the adventures and misadventures of a hero, who is considered a reference for a particular society.
The epic is the subgenre of the oldest literature known. The protagonist of the epic is always a hero who goes through a number of challenges involving fantastic facts.
One of the most famous passages of the Odyssey
This genre, as it existed in its beginnings, has disappeared; As early as the nineteenth century, the epic transformed its structure by narrating slightly more realistic facts, with no emphasis on supernatural elements, and showing a closer hero, even of middle or lower social classes.
Although this genre has disappeared, there remain records of epics from the earliest times, allowing a better understanding of this manifestation.
The oldest known Epic is Gilgamesh, which refers to Gilgamesh, the Mesopotamian king who ruled the city of Uruk.
Among the most famous epics are The Iliad and the Odyssey, both written by Homer; The Divine Comedy, by Dante Alighieri; Cantar del Mio Cid, by anonymous author; And La Eneida, by Virgilio, among others.
The 10 most outstanding features of the epic
It may be written in verse or prose
The structure of the epics is usually prose or verses hexameters, which consist of six feet (unit of Greek verse containing between two and four long and short syllables).
Epics often carry extensive comparative images and epithets, and language is often elaborated.
In its beginnings, the epics were written exclusively in verse. When writing was invented, the verse form was retained but the prose structure was added as another way of counting epics.
It can be based on real events or fiction
The stories narrated in the epics may have been drawn from reality, or have been created by the writer.
However, in either case, the narrative of the facts is characterized by being exaggerated. That is, facts are always exalted, whether real or imaginary.
It narrates the exploits of a hero
The characteristic plots of the epics revolve around a character, who must go through a series of circumstances and obstacles to achieve a task.
The values of this main character are exalted and, in his work of hero, tries to highlight the virtues and principles that are of great relevance for a specific society. The hero of the story always overcomes all obstacles and is victorious.
Usually surrounded by supernatural elements
Since the plot of the epic is often exaggerated and idealized, the hero's actions usually take place in a supernatural context. In epics it is usual for the hero to interact with gods and other mythological characters.
These supernatural actors actively intervene in the story, hinder the hero's action or help him fulfill his mission.
It is part of the tradition of a people
Whether the story told through the epic comes from a real fact or as a product of fantasy, these plots refer to the most important moments, the most representative characters and the values and virtues most relevant to a particular society .
For this reason, they are part of the historical testimony of a people. In addition, they often describe specific aspects of the life of that town: customs, religious traditions or even cultural expressions.
It makes didactic sense
The function of the epic, beyond its recreational character, is deeply didactic. This literary subgenre is intended to illustrate the actions of importance to a group of people, and to ensure that this information transcends in time and is available to future generations.
Within the fabric of an epic may exist philosophical propositions that have probably laid the moral foundations of a generation. Through the epics, it is possible to teach these values.
The values that are most emphasized in the epics are fidelity, honor, honesty, strength, love, intelligence and perseverance, among other virtues.
And, in addition to values, the epics were a way of publicizing the manifestations associated with a society. Through these literary constructions, it was possible to spread their cultural expressions from one generation to the next.
The plot usually deals with wars and travels
As we have seen, the main character of the epic is the hero, and a hero needs situations that certify him as an idol.
For this reason, epics often tell stories that have to do with an epic crusade of a person (or a group of people), who must travel through lands, win wars and overcome obstacles in order to be considered the bravest.
Omniscient narrator
Who tells the story in the epic is an omniscient narrator; That is, it narrates events in the third person.
The narrator does not participate in the adventures in the present time, but tells the story in a chronic way: the structure is conceived so that the narrator implies that the story he shares with the reader corresponds to something that he himself lived.
The language used suggests that the narrator is sharing his experience as an observer.
Large extension
The epics are long. The reason for this wide extension is that the narration is quite detailed.
Emphasis is on describing in detail the characteristics of the characters, the scenarios, the exploits and all the situations faced by the protagonists of the epic.
Originally oral transmission
Initially, the epics were narrated orally. The Middle Ages were the historical era with the greatest rise of the epic, and in that period were the minstrels who were in charge of transmitting these epic stories through their songs.
Since the length of the epics has always been long, storytellers orally used sentence formulas that helped them remember the whole story and keep the metrics in the structure of the epic.
Subsequently, these stories were transcribed, which allowed this manifestation to transcend in time.
References
- "Epopeya"in Dictionary of the Royal Spanish Academy. Retrieved on July 24, 2017 from Dictionary of the Royal Spanish Academy: dle.rae.es
- "The Epic of Gilgamesh"(9 November 2017) in National Geographic. Retrieved on July 24, 2017 from National Geographic: nationalgeographic.com.es
- Deering, M."Epic Poetry: Definition, Heroes & Stories"in Study. Retrieved on July 24, 2017 from Study: study.com
- Yoshida, A."Epic. Literary Genre"in Encyclopedia Britannica. Retrieved on 24 July 2017 by Encyclopedia Britannica: britannica.com
- Hirsch, E."Epic: Poetic Form"(21 February 2014) in Poets. Retrieved on 24 July 2017 from Poets: poets.org
- "What is an Epic Poem?"In Young Writers. Retrieved on 24 July 2017 from Young Writers: youngwriters.co.uk
- Macía, L."Origin and structure of the dactylic hexameter. Critical review"in Interclassica. Retrieved on 24 July 2017 by Interclassica: interclassica.um.es.