SANDY WAHYU WIJAYA

HIDAYATUL WAHIDAH
DYAH RUFITA
RENY ANGRAINI
THE EPIC
 The Epic Poem
The epic or heroic poem is a long narrative poem
on a serious subject, centered around the actions
of an heroic figure on whose actions depend the
fate of a nation or race.
The traditional epic poems were shaped from the
legend of the Greek heroic age, when the
Mykenaean Greeks or Arkhaeans were on the
move and engaged in military conquest and
expansion during the Trojan war.
 Characteristics of Epic
Poetry
The hero is a figure of great national or
international importance.
The setting is large in scale, sometimes
world-wide or at least of the known world.
The actions involves heroic deeds in battle
or a long and arduous journey intrepidly
accomplished.
In these great actions, the immortals and
other supernatural beings themselves take
an interest and active part.
An epic poem is a ceremonial performance.
 Narrative Features of Epic Poems
Epic poems were initially performed as oral
traditions, by wandering professional bards
and this has an impact upon the narrative of
the poem.
Digressions.
Anecdotes.
Myth and stories.
Epithets.
Repetitions.
Recurrent lines and phrases.
Recurrent Lines and Phrases
There is the repetition at length by a
speaker of another speakers, their
own or the narrators earlier words.
The repetition of epithets.
Similar phrases used to introduce or
conclude speeches.
Single lines or a group of lines which
describe everyday life (e.g. beginning
a meal) or events (e.g. dawn).
 Construction of Character
Characterization is the way that the characters
are constructed, which then develops their
specific characteristics or nature.
The habitual behavior of the character.
The physical description of the character.
The known judgments and reaction of others
characters to them.
The character is shown in specific episodes.
The use of epithets or stock phrases to describe
the character.
Specific biographical details are provided about
character.
 Structure of an Epic Poem
The structure of an epic poem is the
organization of the plot. It is the order in
which the episodes that make up the plot
are presented to the audience.
The main type of structure for an epic
poem is non-linier.
Flashbacks are used to facilitate a non-
linier structure.
Themes
Example of an Epic War