CC - II : Homer's The Iliad as an Epic | Describe the major features of an epic with special reference to Homer's The Iliad

      

          According to M.H. Abrams, the term epic is applied to a work-i.e. a long verse narrative on a serious subject, told in a formal and elevated style, And centered on a heroic or quasi-divine figure on whose actions depends the fate of a tribe, a nation or the human race. Epics are of two types primary or the epic of growth (derived from an oral tradition of recitation) and secondary all literary or the epic of art (written in imitation of the primary epic). Homer's the Iliad and the Odyssey are examples of the primary epic, whereas Virgil's Aeneid and Milton's "Paradise lost" are the secondary epics.

                Aristotle's views on epic deserve a close examination . He observes, "An epic, like a tragedy, should deal with a signal event, having a beginning, middle and end, though it will deal with more  incidents and extend over a longer time then a tragedy..." . Beeching's remark is worth-quoting-"the theme of an epic must have dignity. It must represent great actions and involve great issues. Also it must be single and entire; not like a chronicle whole events have no real connection with each other. The Trojan war will be a subject fulfilling the first two conditions of nobleness and unity, but it would be unmanageable. Homer, therefore, is content with but one incident in it, the worth of Achilles; and other events not arising out of this, but necessary for its proper comprehensions, are added in as episodes.

Homer's "The Iliad" share the following characteristic:-

i) the subject of an epic is a great event or a series of events, dealing with the heroic exploits of a distinguished figure as evident in Achilles' (the Greek warrior) involvement in superhuman deeds in battle (Such as his feats in the Trojan war). But since the poet has an enormous scope for digressions, he introduces many historical and legendary side-issues, which however are brought.

ii) the seating of an epic is ample in scale, and maybe worldwide or even larger.

iii) in the action of an epic, the gods and other supernatural beings take an interest order active part-e.g. the Olympian gods in Homer's "The Iliad" who shape the destiny of the mortals. In this respect, an epic always has an irresistible apple to the national sentiments.

iv) the Canvas of an epic is vast, and embarrasses haven an Earth. The Greek nation has found in "The Iliad" a supreme expression of its longings and aspiration. The great actions of Greece and Troy are laid bare that have transcend the limitations of time and space.

v)An epic poem is a ceremonial performance, and is narrated in a ceremonial which is deliberately distance from ordinary speech-the formal diction and stylized syntax (in confirmatory with the heroic subject) are often model on Latin poetry including the use of epithets, wide-ranging allusions, the listing of heroes and combatants and above all, epic similes.

vi) True it is that there are many digressions is The Iliad, yet nowhere Homer has violated the principles of unity and cohesion. keeping in view epic tradition, the narrative begins in medias res' ( in the middle of things), thereby assuming that he readers and the audience are familiar with all the legends and incidents that have culminated in the wrath' of Achilles.

            All said and done, Homer's "The Iliad" is a monumental epic that has  stood the test of time. It is not a mere narrative poem, but something more. It is a story of action which is invested with racial and national significance.

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