Epic Poetry

Yes, in the epic poem "The Song of Roland," Roland blows his horn to call for help as he and his men are outnumbered in battle against the Saracens. However, he blows it too late, and by the time Charlemagne arrives, Roland and his men have already perished in battle.

The Indian epic poem you're referring to is likely the "Mahabharata." It focuses on the great Kurukshetra War between the Pandavas and the Kauravas, who are cousins. The war is a central event in the epic and explores themes of dharma (duty), righteousness, and the consequences of war.

According to Aristotle, the audience should feel both fear and pity while watching a tragedy. This emotional response, known as catharsis, allows the audience to experience a release of those emotions and gain a sense of emotional purification or relief.

"Paradise Lost" by John Milton was a famous epic poem written during the period of Stuart kings. This epic poem explores themes of rebellion, sin, and salvation, and is considered one of the greatest works of English literature.

In Homer's "The Odyssey," the gods decide to help Odysseus by sending Hermes to Calypso to demand Odysseus's release from her island and by inspiring Athena to plead with Zeus to intervene and help Odysseus return home to Ithaca.

No, Achilles accepted his fate as foretold by the prophecy, that he would die young if he chose to fight in the Trojan War. Despite knowing this, Achilles decided to go to war and fight in order to gain honor and glory.

A Spanish epic poem is a long narrative poem that typically celebrates the heroic achievements of a nation or group of people. One of the most famous examples is "Cantar de Mio Cid," which tells the story of the medieval Spanish knight Rodrigo Díaz de Vivar, also known as El Cid. These poems are often characterized by their grandeur, moral themes, and cultural significance.

The epic poem of "El Cid" was written by an anonymous author, likely around the 12th century. It is one of the most significant works of Spanish medieval literature, celebrating the heroic deeds of the legendary Spanish knight Rodrigo Díaz de Vivar, commonly known as El Cid.

The Kalevala is an epic poem from Finland. It is considered the national epic of Finland and is based on Karelian and Finnish folklore and mythology.

Isagani Cruz wrote the poem "Bigong Pag-asa" to portray the feeling of hopelessness and despair in times of struggle and uncertainty. The poem explores themes of disappointment, frustration, and the struggle to find hope amid challenges and setbacks. It serves as a reflection of the human experience of facing obstacles and searching for a glimmer of hope to hold onto.

The Epic of Panglima Mungona is an oral epic from the Philippines, specifically among the Maranao people of Mindanao. It tells the story of Panglima Mungona, a heroic warrior known for his bravery and skilled combat. Throughout the epic, Panglima Mungona faces various challenges and adversaries in his quest for justice and honor.

An epic doesn't need to have specific sections, but many epics have a section where the poet invites the Muses to help him (the Invocation). Some epics also have a section where the hero visits the underworld (a Nekuia). And many epics use catalogues (lists of heroes, ships, angels, places ...).

He wrote The Aeneid.

Evangeline is the heroine of an epic poem by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. She is a young Acadian woman who is separated from her love, Gabriel, during the expulsion of the Acadians from Nova Scotia. The poem follows her relentless search for him across North America.

Odysseus was spurned by the gods due to his arrogance at the greek victory over Troy. He wandered and met monsters like Scylla and Charybdis, the Cyclops along the way. and temptresses like Circe and Calypso. He went to the underworld to consult someone long dead. He was further refused a safe passage by Poseidon, and lost men and comrades until he was the only one left alive. He returned to Ithaca learning that his wife was the object of pursuit of many randy suitors, that his palace was made a drunken place by those who believed him dead. These suitors all met a tragic ending when Odyssues finally revealed himself.

Epics tend to be similar across cultures because they often address universal themes such as heroism, destiny, and the struggle between good and evil. Additionally, as epic narratives are passed down through generations orally or in written form, they may undergo a process of diffusion and adaptation, leading to common elements in different cultural iterations. Cross-cultural interactions and influences over time can also contribute to the similarities seen in epic stories.

An epic list is a detailed and comprehensive catalog of items, tasks, or ideas that is usually extensive and covers a wide range of topics or categories. It is often used for organizing information or planning projects.

Yes, epics may express universal themes like heroism or conflict, but the specific cultural values of a society will shape the portrayal of these themes. For example, the concept of honor in Japanese epics may differ from that in Norse sagas, reflecting the distinct cultural norms and beliefs of each society.

Odysseus is considered an epic hero due to his extraordinary abilities, such as intelligence, cunning, and bravery, which are displayed throughout his journey in Homer's "Odyssey." He overcomes various obstacles, battles mythical creatures, and endures hardships to reach his ultimate goal of returning home to Ithaca. His perseverance, resourcefulness, and leadership qualities make him a larger-than-life figure in Greek mythology.

No, not all epic poems have to contain epic machinery. Epic poetry is characterized by its grand scope, heroic themes, and elevated language, but the presence of epic machinery is not a defining element of the genre.

The epic poem Beowulf, in "Lay of the Last Survivor" (lines 2247-2266), mentions the great treasures lain to rest with King Scyld; these have many parallels to the Sutton Hoo treasure.