Epic Poetry: Origin and History, Characteristics, Relation to Myths and Outstanding Works

The epic poetry is a literary genre that consists of a long, serious and poetic narrative about a significant event, often starring a hero. Before the invention of writing, this genre was strictly oral. In this sense, the term"epic"is derived from the Greek word epos , which means"what is counted".

For practical purposes, ancient cultures recorded as epic poems only that which deserved to be remembered. Before the development of writing, epic poems were memorized, and played an important role in maintaining a record of great deeds and the history of a culture.

Cantar del Mío Cid, a representative work of epic poetry

The authors elaborated the stories, called epic poems or epics, using metrics that were easy to remember. On the other hand, those who counted them tried to respect their original form. In the beginning, epic poetry was designed to be performed with music.

The traveling bards interpreted poetry orally; the words were sung and, often, they had musical accompaniment. The tradition of oral narration persisted for many years after the arrival of writing.

Origin and history

The origins of Greek epic poetry date back to Mycenaean times. The Mycenaean civilization flourished in the Aegean Sea during the 1600 a. C. - 1100 a. C.

However, some elements found in the poetry of Homer seem to indicate that their origins are even before that period.

The Iliad Y The odyssey of Homer are the best known of the epopéyico genre. However, the Epic of Gilgamesh and the Indian Sanskrit epics Ramayana Y Mahabharata They are cited as the first works of epic poetry.

Later, with the advent of writing, all the epic poems were transcribed. Additionally, new poems were created in the written format.

Over time, the epic evolved to adapt to changing languages, traditions and beliefs. Poets such as Lord Byron and Alexander Pope used this genre to create comic works such as Don Juan and El rizo stolen.

characteristics

National theme

Each culture has its own epic narrative to exalt the actions of their ancestors. The epics presented a hero who embodied the values ​​of a culture.

Also, they framed the actions of that hero within his lineage. That is, the actions of this character were typical of his ethnic group.

It was a figure of great national or even cosmic importance. By representing the heroic ideal of a culture, it was a role model.

Broad reach

Although the topic is local, the scope of the story is broader. Sometimes, the poem's scenario may be worldwide or even larger (universal).

Narration in the past

The very intentionality of the genre -register historical events- requires the use of verbs in the past.

Long verses

In the early days of the epic, singing represented a natural and spontaneous way of expressing the emotions of human beings. Therefore, this form was used to glorify important events.

Exaltation of values

The epic poems were elaborated to be heard by ordinary people of the town. To capture their attention, the events had to represent high values ​​in the protagonists. With this they stimulated the imagination of the listeners or readers.

Also, he had to reinforce the popular belief that his heroic characters always acted with reason. The stories were made based on sharp judgments of kindness and evil.

Superhuman actions

In these great actions the gods and other supernatural beings took a particular interest or constituted an active part. Sometimes they took both positions.

Ceremonial style of narration

An epic poem deliberately departs from everyday language. As what is represented is the grandiosity of human actions, the style is ceremonial and grandiloquent.

Relation of epic poetry with myths

Epic poetry has been used to formally document mythological traditions in many cultures. Such is the case with Nordic mythology in Edda, Germanic mythology in Nibelungenlied and, more recently, Finnish mythology with Kalevala by Elias Lönnrot.

The epic and the mythology share several characteristics. Both contain narrations about heroes and heroic actions; the heroes are real life in the first case, and mythical in the second.

Both the epics and the myths have as a measure the hexameter. Likewise, they can contain common epic characteristics such as battles, speeches, invocations of the muses and advice from the gods.

Outstanding works

The epic of Gilgamesh

The epic of Gilgamesh It is considered as the first example of an epic. This Assyrian-Babylonian epic tells the story of the life of the Assyrian king Gilgamesh and his adventures in the quest for immortality.

Mahabharata

In the composition of this Indian poem of enormous extension (110 000 stanzas) several authors participated. The work was completed between the years 400 a. C. and the 400 of d. C. It is considered a true encyclopedia of Indian civilization.

The Iliad

The Iliad of Homer is usually considered the first work in European literature. It tells part of the state of siege of the city of Troy and the war that took place there. This story had a very important place in Greek mythology.

This poem recounts the advance of the Greeks, enraged by the capture of Helen of Sparta and led by Achilles, to destroy his adversary.

The odyssey

Also composed by Homer, it recounts Odysseus' 10-year struggle to return home after the Trojan War. During that time he fights mystical creatures and faces the wrath of the gods.

The story of Zarer

This is a Persian work composed in the fifth century AD. C. Throughout history all the struggles that the Persian people had to go through to spread the religion of Zoroastrianism are told.

The poem of Mio Cid

This masterpiece of the Spanish epic tells the life and adventures of Rodrigo Díaz de Vivar, El Cid Campeador. This was a noble of Castile who lived in the second half of the eleventh century.

The singing of the Nibelungs

It is a Germanic work written in the thirteenth century. This is the story of Siegfried, a dragon hunter.

The song of Roldán

This epic poem, composed at the end of the 11th century, narrates the defeat of Charlemagne's army at the Battle of Roncesvalles (778). In the context of the story, the death of Roldán, Charlemagne's nephew, is also told.

References

1. Yoshida, A. (2018, January 05). Epic. Taken from britannica.com.
2. Toohey, P. (s / f). Epic: The Genre, Its Characteristics. Taken from firstyear.barnard.edu.
3. Poets.org (2014, February 21). Epic: Poetic Form. Taken from poets.org.
4. Lacroix, R. (2005-2006). Characteristics of Epic Poetry. Taken from staffweb.plattscsd.org.
5. History and biographies. (2014, December 02). What is epic poetry: characteristics and characters heroes. Taken from historiaybiografias.com.