elements of epic poetry

plot centers on epic hero

hero who embodies values of certain culture where the epic originated, always becomes victorious

plot with impossible human feats

becomes exciting when hero faces multiple complications

meeting/battling strange creatures, divine intervention, completing superhuman tasks that require strength and valor

archetypes and vast settings

recognizable and makes character definable

unimaginable places, mythical

stylization

characters talk in decorous oratical manner, makes epic dignifies and lofty in style

characters boast abt their epicness

formal style of talking epithets; elaborate form of addressing/talking to someone

literary devices

• a. kennings - figurative phrases that take the place of a noun

• b. alliteration - figurative language, repeat of consonants to give emphasis,

• helps poets memorize their lines

• c. caesura - long pause found in every line of the poem, old english extra spaces in line