epic formula

epic formula

▪ poetic device
      convention of language and theme peculiar to oral epic poetry that is often carried over to the written form. The most obvious epic formulas are the “fixed epithets,” stereotyped descriptive phrases that can be varied in different places in the poetic line to suit the demands of the metre. These stock expressions have the twofold function of lightening the oral poet's task in telling the story and making it easier for the audience to follow him. In the Homeric poems, Achilles is “fleet-footed” whether he is sitting, standing, or sleeping. Odysseus is “wily,” dawn is “rosy-fingered,” and the heroes exchange “winged words.” Homer uses numerous less striking formulas to describe everyday activities: for example, a meal usually ends “when they had put aside desire for food and drink.” To a great extent formulas are distinctive features of an epic. There are formulas for going to bed and getting up, putting on and taking off armour, sacrificing and feasting, and launching and beaching ships. The effect of familiarity is often enhanced by direct repetition, as when a messenger repeats his instructions verbatim.

      Because written epics are a later development of the genre, they all bear some trace of the underlying oral stamp. In literary epics, however, the formulas have lost their special function as mnemonic adjuncts to the oral poet's story-telling. They are employed rather for their archaic charm and heroic connotations.

* * *


Universalium. 2010.

Игры ⚽ Поможем написать курсовую

Look at other dictionaries:

  • epic — epically, adv. epiclike, adj. /ep ik/, adj. Also, epical. 1. noting or pertaining to a long poetic composition, usually centered upon a hero, in which a series of great achievements or events is narrated in elevated style: Homer s Iliad is an… …   Universalium

  • Formula Renault 3.5 Series 2011 — Le championnat de Formula Renault 3.5 Series 2011 se déroule au sein des World Series by Renault du 16 avril au 9 octobre 2011. Sommaire 1 Pilotes et écuries 2 Règlement sportif 3 Courses de la saison 2011[1] …   Wikipédia en Français

  • Temporada 2011 de Fórmula Renault 3.5 — Anterior: 2010 Siguiente: 2012 La temporada 2011 de Fórmula Renault 3.5 comenzò el 16 de Abril el circuito Motorland Aragón y termina el 9 de octubre en el Circuit de Catalunya. Contenido 1 Cambios en el Reglamento …   Wikipedia Español

  • The Formula (2002 film) — Infobox Film name = The Formula director = Chris Hanel Stephen Phelan writer = Stephen Phelan Chris Hanel starring = Chris Hanel Abe Peterka Justin Whitlock Rebecca Peterka distributor = Digital Llama TheForce.net released = June 1, 2002 runtime …   Wikipedia

  • Jack Kerouac — Infobox Writer name = Jack Kerouac caption = Jack Kerouac by Tom Palumbo circa 1956 birthdate = birth date|1922|3|12|mf=y birthplace = Lowell, Massachusetts deathdate = death date and age|1969|10|21|1922|3|12|mf=y deathplace = St. Petersburg,… …   Wikipedia

  • Mongolian literature —       literature written in any of the Mongolian languages of east central Asia.       Traditionally, üligers, orally transmitted epic stories in verse, have constituted the bulk of native literary expression. These highly stylized stories relate …   Universalium

  • performing arts — arts or skills that require public performance, as acting, singing, or dancing. [1945 50] * * * ▪ 2009 Introduction Music Classical.       The last vestiges of the Cold War seemed to thaw for a moment on Feb. 26, 2008, when the unfamiliar strains …   Universalium

  • Europe, history of — Introduction       history of European peoples and cultures from prehistoric times to the present. Europe is a more ambiguous term than most geographic expressions. Its etymology is doubtful, as is the physical extent of the area it designates.… …   Universalium

  • literature — /lit euhr euh cheuhr, choor , li treuh /, n. 1. writings in which expression and form, in connection with ideas of permanent and universal interest, are characteristic or essential features, as poetry, novels, history, biography, and essays. 2.… …   Universalium

  • MUSIC — This article is arranged according to the following outline: introduction written sources of direct and circumstantial evidence the material relics and iconography notated sources oral tradition archives and important collections of jewish music… …   Encyclopedia of Judaism

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”