What was epic poetry

Its characters are noble. Virgil BC produces the great epic poem of the Roman Empire. It is a model for Milton's Paradise Lost. Medieval epic poems are plentiful, though rarely read.

Each nation or state produced its great epic poets. Italy has not only Virgil, but also Dante , among others. Dante's great epic is The Divine Comedy. Read the rest of this definition. Featured Poems Read more epic poems. Featured Poets The following poets, as well as many others, are known for their work in the epic form. Academy of American Poets Educator Newsletter. Teach This Poem.

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This epic, traced back to ancient Mesopotamia in approximately BC, relays the story of Gilgamesh, an ancient king descended from the gods. Gilgamesh undergoes a journey to discover the secret of immortality. Though the epic is not a frequently used literary device today, its lasting influence on poetry is unmistakable. Traditionally, epic poetry shares certain characteristics that identify it as both a literary device and poetic form.

Here are some typical characteristics of an epic:. Epic poems can be traced back to some of the earliest civilizations in human history, in Europe and Asia, and are therefore some of the earliest works of literature as well.

Literary epics reflect heroic deeds and events that reveal significance to the culture of the poet. In addition, epic poetry allowed ancient writers to relay stories of great adventures and heroic actions. The effect of epics was to commemorate the struggles and adventures of the hero to elevate their status and inspire the audience. Here are some famous examples of literary epics:.