Epic essay characteristics

Also called Homeric similes, epic similes are elaborate comparisons made by using words such as ‘like’ or ‘as’. Heavy usage of dialogs or similar phrases is made, to describe the characters. The Epic of Gilgamesh, regarded as the first great work of literature, is an epic poem from ancient Mesopotamia.

An epic hero must be a man whose fortune is brought about by his own admired characteristics. Many of the famous Greek Epic Poems, such as The Odyssey and The Iliad, contain these larger-than-life heroes and their deeds.

Characteristics of Epic Poetry The hero in the poem is a figure of heroic stature or national significance. The setting of the poem is vast and could include land, seas, oceans, the world, or even the whole universe. The deeds are those which require great heroism, spirit, and bravery.

In oral traditions, poetry is introduced to the audience through means like audiotapes or videotapes, or carried forward from older generations to the newer ones. Some of the prominent names in epic poetry include Homer, Virgil, Ovid, Dante, Edmund Spenser, and Milton. The hero in the poem is a figure of heroic stature or national significance.