Learn about epic poems, also known as heroic epics and heroic poems, and famous epic poets of the past. Discover examples of this genre and its...
Characteristics of an Epic Hero in Literature While there are a wide array of epic heroes that fit the archetype to a varying degree, epic heroes tend to possess a series of characteristics and virtues that reinforce their heroic nature. When discussing the characteristics of epic heroes, it is...
An epic is a long narrative poem that tells the story of heroic deeds, normally accomplished by more-than-human characters.
Although there are several types of imagery, they all generally serve a similar function. To better understand the function of imagery in poetry and literature and how it can be achieved through various otherliterary devices, let’s take a look at the imagery definition. IMAGERY DEFINITION What ...
Apostrophe is found throughout literature: it appears in poetry, prose, and drama, and across all eras from ancient Greek epic poetry through modern times. Apostrophe in The Odyssey One of the earliest and most famous examples of apostrophe in literature comes from Homer, who begins both The...
Examples of Folklore in Literature Beowulf Although Beowulf has no known author and was written sometime between 700-1000 AD, it is one of the most important examples of folklore. It is also an example of a story that was once passed down through oral tradition and was eventually written ...
Ekphrastic poetry:Poetry about a work of art Actual ekphrasis:Writing about an artwork that exists Notional ekphrasis:Writing about an imagined work of art Approaches to Ekphrastic Poetry More than 2,000 years ago, epic poets usedekphrasisto help audiences visualize legendary battles. They created an...
Epics have a long history. In fact,The Epic of Gilgamesh, considered by many to be the oldest surviving piece of literature, is an epic poem. Here is a snippet from the epic’s more than 2,000 words: When the gods created Gilgamesh they gave him a perfect body. Shamash the glorious ...
Examples of Epithets in Literature Example #1Beowulf This famous Anglo-Saxon epic poem makes use of several different kinds of epithets. One of the most prominent is known as a keening. The following words are all examples of this particular technique: “sleep of the sword” in reference to...
Learn the definition of a spondee in poetry, and discover the features and opposite of a spondaic meter. Review spondee words and examples in literature. Updated: 11/21/2023 Table of Contents What Is a Spondee? Spondee Examples Lesson Summary Frequently Asked Questions What is a spondee in...