Introduction:
This article presents an examination of one of the defining characteristics of epic poetry, as illustrated by a particular poem excerpt. Epic poetry has been a mainstay of poetic history for centuries, and has had a major influence on literature. The excerpt chosen for this study emphasizes one of the core features of epic poetry, which is the ability of a poem to convey a unique journey in both physical and mental terms. By delving into the poem excerpt, this article will present an analysis of what makes epic poetry stand out, and how this particular excerpt is reflective of this key feature.
The Journey in Epic Poetry:
Epic poetry is a genre of poetry that has existed since ancient times. It is characterized by a large scope, and often incorporates both physical and mental journeys as its main themes. The Odyssey, one of the most famous epic poems of all time, tells the story of Odysseus’ physical journey from his home in Ithaca to Troy and back, and the mental obstacles he faces on his way. In this way, epic poetry is able to capture the varied trials of a journey in both physical and mental terms.
Exploring the Excerpt
The excerpt chosen for this article is from a poem by Patrick Kavanagh titled “Epic”. In this poem, Kavanagh juxtaposes a shouting match over land in Ireland with larger-scale conflicts. This imagery makes it clear that the poem is reflective of one of the key features of epic poetry, namely, the ability to weave together both large and small-scale events into one poetic journey.
Kavanagh starts the poem by referring to a shouting match over land in Ireland. This is a prime example of the epic genre, as it puts a small-scale event in the context of a larger one. In this case, the shouting match is compared to the outbreak of World War II, as well as the Trojan War, two of the most famous wars of all time. This comparison effectively creates a poetic journey that follows the same format as an epic poem, in which both small and large-scale events are woven together to create a narrative.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, this article has presented an examination of one of the defining characteristics of epic poetry, as illustrated by a particular poem excerpt. Epic poetry has been a mainstay of poetic history for centuries, and has had a major influence on literature. The excerpt chosen for this study emphasizes one of the core features of epic poetry, which is the ability of a poem to convey a unique journey in both physical and mental terms. Through an analysis of Patrick Kavanagh’s “Epic”, this article has demonstrated how this poem is reflective of this key feature of epic poetry. By putting a shouting match over land in Ireland in the context of the Trojan War and the outbreak of World War II, the poem clearly illustrates the ability of epic poetry to weave both small and large-scale events into one narrative.