Epics, which are generally long narrative poems about a serious subject representing characters of great significance (DeCoskey), have long played a role in the formation of many of today's societies. ... In historical times, epics weren't epics unless they were written as long narrative poems; nowadays, however, considering the majority of poets these days don't consider themselves constrained by the even the most elementary rules of grammar, epics are no longer written as Homer wrote the Odyssey. ... Her account of her journey to her current state in life was interrupted for o...

• Word Count: 900
• Approx Pages: 4
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

As a particularly poignant moment in the poem Vergil employs Homeric allusion for the sake of adding striking detail to the scene. ... Further to this is Mezentius" depiction as an honorable warrior choosing not to slay Orodes with trickery ("haud furto"), which almost immediately brings to mind the cunning Odysseus; this is truly an image full of pathos, as we know he must soon meet his end. ...

• Word Count: 1002
• Approx Pages: 4
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

Many scholars see Gilgamesh as similar to both Odysseus and Achilles (Gresseth 5). ... The earliest Gilgamesh stories seem to come from Sumerian texts which most likely reflect the crystallization of earlier epic traditions, and was probably one of the most well-known and influential poems available (West 65). ...

• Word Count: 4256
• Approx Pages: 17
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: Undergraduate