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"Epic Poetry"

By N.S. Gill, About.com

Definition: Ancient Classical epic poetry is defined in terms of its content and style. In epic poetry

  • The heroes come from the heroic era.
  • The heroes are bound by a code of honor.
  • The form of the epic is verse -- hexameters -- sometimes called epic meter.
  • The language of epic is often formulaic.
  • The material of epic is elevated and does not dwell on the banal details of life.
  • Catalogues are long.
  • Speeches are frequent.

Common Misspellings: epec

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