The Epic A Very Short Introduction

Very Short Introductions: Brilliant, Sharp, Inspiring

The epic is an ancient and universal form of artistic expression. Storytellers around the globe have long told of heroes who are touched by greatness and gain lasting fame.

In this Very Short Introduction, Anthony Welch places the Western epic canon alongside traditional heroic poetry from Asia, Africa, and the Near East. Tracing shared themes and practices that unite the world's epic literature, Welch examines the roles that epic poets serve in society and how epic storytelling differs from other narrative forms. Ranging widely from Gilgamesh to Derek Walcottâs Omeros, the author acquaints readers with some of the world's greatest literary works and asks why the epic holds such power over our imaginations.



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Anthony Welch, Associate Professor of English,, University of Tennessee

Anthony Welch is Associate Professor of English at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. His publications include The Renaissance Epic and the Oral Past (2012) as well as essays on Milton, Spenser, Dryden, and the European epic tradition in English Literary Renaissance, Milton Studies, MLN: Modern Language Notes, Modern Philology, Spenser Studies, and several edited collections.

Introduction1. A Story of All Things2. The Singer and the Song3. The Epic Hero4. War5. Family Ties6. Civilization and the Wilderness7. Epic and ModernityReferences and Further Reading