Epics throughout History

Paper Summary:

The notion of the epic has been represented in many ways throughout history. This paper looks at how "The Iliad" and "The Odyssey" are poetic accounts that provide insight into ancient civilizations and how war, love, and supernatural beings appear to be common elements of Greek society. The writer then discusses "Paradise Lost" in which these same elements appear with a Christian spin to them. It explains how Milton has incorporated the religious beliefs of his time into his epic. The paper also analyzes "The Rape of the Lock," which satirizes the very traditions that are present in both Homer and Milton. Pope, too, demonstrates how society has changed since the days of Homer. Great wars are not fought, and society has become extremely self-absorbed. It concludes that each author demonstrates significant aspects of the society in which they lived, illustrating that art indeed reflects life.

From the Paper:

"Homer's epics are significant because they are considered the earliest forms of Greek literature. The Iliad tells the story of the battles associated with the Trojan War and The Odyssey is more concerned with the peace that comes after the war. These epics reveal much about the society and what the people believed. The presence of gods and goddesses illustrate the belief of the supernatural and the presence of war illustrates how war was considered a "basic factor in human life" (Mack 1985 9). These epics also show us a world where "it is a struggle even to stay alive" (11). These are serious issues and Homer approaches them with a serious frame of mind. Homer's accounts of what the Greeks believed are foreign to us now and, as a result, become valuable if we wish to understand those who lived before us."

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