What Is an Epic?
An EPIC is a long narrative poem that tells a story on a grand scale. It is encyclopedic, meant for education in virtue and wisdom. It conveys the culture, science and mythos that must be passed on to the next generation for a civilization to survive. Epics conform to a list of epic conventions, which are traditional structure and style features that characterize classical epic poetry.
Epic Conventions
The opening section of the poem. It introduces the main characters, theme, and purpose, and uses elevated formal language.
(In the middle of things) — the narrative starts in the middle of the action, not at the chronological beginning. Flashbacks fill in prior events. The Iliad opens 9 years into the war between Troy and Greece.
The narrator calls upon a Muse, a deity, for inspiration and guidance to tell the story. In the Iliad: “Sing, goddess, the wrath of Achilles.”
The subject of the poem and main conflict are announced immediately. In the Iliad, the conflict is between Agamemnon, lord of men, and Achilles, and the devastation his rage (mēnis) causes.
A larger-than-life protagonist of high status (often semi-divine), embodying cultural ideals — strength, courage, cunning, honor — who performs superhuman deeds and affects the fate of nations. Achilles in the Iliad is the embodiment of warrior excellence and the pursuit of glory (kleos).
Long lists of names, ships, warriors, places, or genealogies. In the Iliad, the long list of ships and their best warriors is in Book 2.
Gods gather to debate and decide mortal affairs. They plot the intervention of the gods, such as Athena disguising herself to mentor Telemachus in the Odyssey.
Repeated adjective-noun combinations describing characters or places — swift-footed Achilles, and the goddess of the white arms.
Odysseus goes to the underworld to get guidance from Tiresius the seer, and speaks to Achilles and his mother.
Extended, elaborate comparisons, often several lines long — for example, warriors compared to lions, fires, or waves in battle.
Detailed, heroic combat sequences where a warrior has a moment of supreme excellence (aristeia). Achilles goes on a killing rampage after Patroclus’ death in the Iliad.