Epic is a word that classifies a heroic action, which can be based on established or invented facts - from the Latin "epicus". Epic is also used to describe a memorable, extraordinary feat, a feat, something very strong and intense.
The epic genre is the narrative in verse that presents a heroic episode in the history of a people. Consists of a literary genre originating in the field of poetry (epic poetry), which recounts the heroic acts of real or legendary characters.
Today, the epic literary genre is not restricted to poetry. Within literature there are epic works in novels, short stories and chronicles, for example. Nor is it restricted to literature: epic can be used to refer to music, movies and theater.
The origin of the epic genre
The epic literary genre (also called the narrative genre) had its origins in Greek antiquity. It was a style of narrative in verse that portrayed heroic feats such as wars, adventures and mythological stories of gods and demigods.
As this narration was done in verse, the epic genre has its origins in poetry. Epic poems were also called
epics and the first and main works of this literary genre were Iliad and Odyssey, by the Greek poet Homer.Other famous works in epic prose (epic) style are: aDivine Comedy, written by Dante Alighieri in the Middle Ages and The Lusiads, by Luís de Camões, made in the Modern Age.
Iliad and Odyssey
homer, author of Iliad and Odyssey lived around the 8th century BC. Ç. and it was the forerunner of epic literary style with these two books.
The Iliad portrays the end of the Trojan War and begins with the kidnapping of the Princess of Greece, Helen, by the Trojans. The Greeks present the Trojans with a huge wooden horse.
What the Trojans did not imagine is that inside that horse there were hundreds of Greek soldiers, who during the night got out of the horse and attacked the enemies.
The Odyssey portrays the adventures of the return of the Greeks to Greece at the end of the combat and has as its central character the warrior Ulysses. On their way home, the warriors face mermaids, cyclops and other characters from Greek mythology.
These poems are believed to have been written only in the 6th century BC. and that Homer used as a source of information for books, stories that were passed on orally from parents to children.
As there are no other records about this period, these poems are important sources for understanding how the Greek civilization worked in that period.
See also the meaning of Trojan Horse.
literary genres
Literature is divided into three genres: epic, lyrical and dramatic. The division between literary genres arose in antiquity, with the Greek philosophers Aristotle and Plato.
The categories we use today to classify books, such as science fiction, horror and biography, are subdivisions, but all literary productions fall into one of the three genres main. That is, every literary work is either epic or lyrical or dramatic.
The epic literary genre is basically characterized by the narration of a story, with characters, in a certain time and place.
Despite having its origins in poetry, today, this literary style is most commonly constructed in prose, such as novels, short stories and chronicles - it is the genre that encompasses most literary production.
The other two literary genres are the lyrical and the dramatic. Lyrical refers to the sound and aims to convey the feeling of the lyrical self and not necessarily tell a story, like the epic genre. Examples of lyrical texts are poetry and sonnets.
And the dramatic style are texts produced for dramaturgy, that is, to be represented in plays. Tragedy, comedy and drama are the subdivisions of the dramatic style.
| Gender | Epic | Lyrical | Dramatic |
|---|---|---|---|
| Feature | Text that tells a story - the author may or may not be part of it. | The text seeks to convey feelings and emotions of the lyrical self | Text to be performed in theatre, written mainly in the form of dialogue. |
| subgenres | Romance; tale; chronic; novel; fable; essay and epics. | Poetry; sonnets; haiku; Acrostic; Ode. | Tragedy; comedy; drama. |
See also the meaning of literature, poetry and prose.
epic movie
Epic film is a genre that portrays tales of great heroes and the whole story is based on just one main character or a certain people. The narrative forms are quite objective, and their aim is to create a world that resembles concrete reality.
Epic films are generally characterized by being medieval films, historical documentaries and period films.
epic music
Epic is used to designate a progressive rock subgenre, the epic rock. Epic songs are long compositions that last from 15 to 20 minutes and in some cases can last up to an hour. Pink Floyd, Jethro Tull and Yes are examples of bands that made epic compositions.
In addition, the soundtracks of some fiction, adventure and suspense films are also considered epic music.
See also the meaning of epic, Odyssey and Ancient Greece.