Epic poetry is one of the oldest art forms known to mankind. This form of poetry is steeped in history and has evolved over the centuries, becoming an important source of literature, culture and storytelling. Tracing its origins back to the oral narratives of ancient societies, there are certain features which help to identify a poem as a type of epic poetry. In this article, we’ll be looking at one particular passage and analysing which features of epic poetry it exhibits.
A key feature of epic poetry is that it is often set within a grandiose narrative. The passage in question sets the scene, describing a ‘king’ and ‘soldier’ and sets the scene for a larger story. The poem is also often character-driven, with the protagonist being forced to battle against the forces of nature or an opposing power. While there is no specific mention of a heroic figure within the passage, the presence of the king and the soldier helps to set the scene for larger conflicts and challenges.
Grandeur is another important feature of epic poetry and this can be seen throughout the passage. It is full of grand imagery, such as describing the king as ‘fierce’ and ‘strong’ and the soldier as ‘resolute’. This helps to create a sense of awe and majesty, adding to the epic feel of the poem.
Epic poetry can also invoke a sense of myth and legend. This can be seen in the passage, which speaks of a powerful king who commands a loyal army and battles against unknown forces. This helps to evoke a sense of myth and legend, and adds to the grand nature of the poem.
Finally, the passage makes use of the ‘slow-burn’ narrative structure typical of epic poetry. Epic poetry often takes its time to introduce the characters and the plot but builds up to a dramatic climax. This can be seen in the passage, as it slowly builds up to the moment where the king and his army face off against the enemy. This slow build-up helps to draw the reader in and keep them engaged.
In conclusion, the passage exhibits some common features of epic poetry, such as grandeur, myth and legend, and a slow burn narrative structure. It is these features which help to identify a poem as epic poetry and which help to make it so engaging.
Themes in Epic Poetry
We can see from the passage that many epic poems contain themes of grandeur, myth and legend, and the slow-burn narrative structure. These themes have been used throughout literature and culture, from ancient oral stories to modern works of fiction. They can be seen as a way of conveying the grandiosity of a story, as well as conveying emotion, morality and values.
One of the most common themes in epic poetry is the concept of heroism. The hero is often presented as a character that is larger than life, and someone who is capable of overcoming seemingly impossible odds. In the passage, the king commands a loyal army and is described as ‘fierce’ and ‘strong’, suggesting he has a heroic quality which will be explored further in the story.
Another common theme in epic poetry is the struggle. This is often seen as a battle between good and evil, or between the forces of nature and man. In the passage, we see the king and his army facing off against an unknown enemy. This conflict will no doubt be explored further in the poem, and will likely include themes of morality, courage and perseverance.
A final theme that can be seen in epic poetry is the use of supernatural elements. This is often seen as a way of adding to the grandeur and mystery of the story. In the passage, there is a suggestion of a supernatural power at work, with the mention of a ‘mysterious force’. This suggests that the story will explore events beyond the natural world.
The Function of Epic Poetry
Epic poetry is often seen as a way of conveying values and morals, as well as telling a story. Its grandeous nature and use of themes such as heroism and struggle can help to convey important messages to readers. It can be used to inspire and educate, as well as entertain.
The passage in question makes use of several features of epic poetry, such as grandeur and a slow-burn narrative structure, which help to make it engaging and convey larger messages. The presence of characters such as the king and the soldier suggest that the poem will explore themes of heroism and struggle, and the mention of the ‘mysterious force’ suggests that it will explore the supernatural.
Epic poetry also has a cultural significance. It can help to preserve the stories and values of a particular culture, and act as a record of its history and beliefs. By studying a passage of epic poetry, we can gain insight into the values and beliefs of the culture which produced it.
Examples of Epic Poetry
Epic poetry can be found throughout literature and culture, from ancient oral stories to modern works of fiction. One of the most famous examples of epic poetry is ‘The Iliad’ by Homer, which tells the story of the Trojan War and is packed with themes of heroism, struggle and supernatural elements. Another famous example is ‘Beowulf’, an Old English poem which tells the story of a warrior’s quest to defeat a monster. Both of these works are filled with the grandeur and epic themes typical of this style of poetry.
Epic poetry is also seen in modern works of fiction, from J.R.R. Tolkien’s ‘The Lord of the Rings’ to George R.R. Martin’s ‘A Song of Ice and Fire’. In both cases, we can see the presence of grandeur, themes of heroism and struggle, and the use of supernatural elements, all of which help to make these works so epic.
Epic poetry can also be seen in television and film, from ‘Game of Thrones’ to ‘The Lord of the Rings’. These works make use of the grandeur, themes and structure of epic poetry to tell grand stories, and have become renowned for their epic scope and scale.
Epic Poetry in Contemporary Art
Epic poetry is also seen in contemporary art, from rap and hip-hop to spoken word. These genres make use of the grandeur, narratives and structure of epic poetry to tell larger stories, often drawing on personal experiences or wider themes to create something unique and powerful.
Contemporary musicians such as Kendrick Lamar and J. Cole have used epic poetry to explore personal struggles, as well as larger issues such as racism and injustice. In their works, we can see the same grandeur and themes of heroism and struggle that we find in traditional epic poetry.
Spoken word is also a popular form of epic poetry, and can be seen in the works of artists such as Saul Williams and Kate Tempest. These works are often powerful and emotive, and make use of the structure and grandeur of epic poetry to elevate their messages.
Epic poetry is an important and often underappreciated form of art, and can be seen in many contemporary works. By studying it, we can gain an insight into the values and beliefs of the culture which produced it, as well as gaining an appreciation for its grandeur and majesty.
