Various definitions of Epic-

 Dr.  Swati Joshi

Gujarat 

Various definitions of Epic-

“An epic is long narrative poem in elevated style, about the exploits of superhuman heroes. Traditional epics are also called ‘primary epics’ are part of oral tradition of a nation and involve myths and legends of nationhood.”48 

“In its strict sense the term Epic or Heroic Poem is applied to a work that meets at least the following criteria: it is a long verse narrative on a serious subject, told in a formal and elevated style, and centered on a heroic or quasidivine figure on whose actions depends the fate of a tribe, a nation, or the human race. There is a standard distinction between traditional and literal epics. ‘Traditional Epics’ (folk lore or primary epics) were written versions of what had originally been oral poems about a tribal or national hero during a warlike age…..  Literary Epics were composed by individual poetic crafts men in deliberate imitation of the traditional form.”49 

“Epic, a  long narrative poem celebrating the great deeds of one or more legendary heroes, in a grand ceremonious style. The hero, usually protected by or even descended from gods, performs superhuman exploits in the battle or in marvelous voyage, often saving or founding a nation as in Virgil’s Aeneid (30-20 BCE) or the human race itself in Milton’s Paradise Lost.”50 

Aristotle discussed Epic in his Poetics – 

“Epic poetry resembles tragedy in so far as it is an imitation in verse of what is morally worthy: they differ in that the epic has only one meter and is narrative in form. They also differ in length, for tragedy tries to confine itself, as much as possible, within one revolution of the sun or a little more, whereas the time of an epic is unlimited.”51 

“A long narrative poem, on a grand scale, about the deeds if warrior or heroes incorporating myth legends folk tale and history. Epics are often of national significance in the sense that they embody the history and aspirations of a nation in a lofty or grandiose manner.”52 

Every Epic of every nation represents its culture, traditions, belief, history and rules and regulation of Nation.  It was considered that Epic is always in form of poetry, but modern time considered that Epic can be seen in poetry, prose, dramatic presentation, and even in films. Epic deals with social, religious values, and laws, customs of a society.  Epic can be seen or judge from its setting, plot, theme, style, incidents, hero and supernatural elements.  The other technical aspects are  unity of action, promptness, the beginning of the epic, middle and the end of  the epic, the apply and impact of supernatural elements, predictions, the appellation which is recurring, and the moral message as truth, Dharma, virtue and vice, poetic justice, symbols and myth, love, death, hate, power and politics. 

“As we try to define a term like epic we must keep in mind that the study of literature is not a science that while a good deal of literary study requires close reading and logical analysis, intuition and feeling also play major roles. One person’s epic is another person’s romance.53 

Dr. swati Joshi

Gujarat