Why Hasn't an Epic Been Written in Modern Times?
Introduction
Epic poetry has been an enduring form of literature throughout history, from the ancient Greek or Indian epics to the medieval epics of Dante and Milton. However, in modern times, there has been a conspicuous absence of new epic works. This essay explores the reasons behind this lack of modern epics and analyzes the attempts to revive the genre. But before doing that lets sum up the classic epics in human history.
Classic Epics in Human History
In 750 BC, the Greek epic poet Homer composed the "Iliad" and the "Odyssey," two incredible works that tell the story of the Trojan War and the adventures of the Greek hero Odysseus. Homer is considered the first epic poet in Western civilization.From 400 BC to AD 400, the Hindu epic "Mahabharata" was compiled by Wrishi Vyas Deva. This epic is seven times longer than the "Iliad" and the "Odyssey" combined and tells the story of a conflict between two families in India. It contains deep moral lessons, including the famous "Bhagavad-Gita."
In 300 BC, the Sanskrit poet Valmiki began composing the "Ramayana," one of the greatest works of world literature. This epic recounts the love and adventures of the Hindu deities Rama and Sita.
Around 30-19 BC, the Roman poet Virgil was commissioned by Emperor Augustus to write the "Aeneid," an epic poem that glorifies the founding of Rome. This masterpiece of world literature tells the story of Aeneas, a Trojan prince who traveled to Italy to establish a new home for his people.
In around 700 AD, an 8th-century Anglian poet composed the Scandinavian epic poem "Beowulf." This poem fuses Scandinavian history and pagan mythology with Christian elements and tells the story of the young prince Beowulf, who saves the Danish kingdom.
Between 985 and 1010 AD, Firdawsi wrote the "Shah-nameh" ("Book of Kings") in pure Persian, with only a slight influence of Arabic. This epic poem is considered the national epic of Persia, and Firdawsi is regarded as the greatest of all Persian poets.
Around 1100 AD, the French epic poem "Song of Roland" was written, the first of the epic poems known as the "songs of great deeds" that were popular in the Middle Ages. This poem tells the story of Charlemagne's holy war and the martyred hero Roland.
In 1667, the English poet John Milton completed his epic poem "Paradise Lost" after becoming blind. This work tells the story of Lucifer's rebellion in heaven and Adam's fall and is an extended meditation on humanity's relationship with God, human nature, and the meaning of life. It is considered one of the masterpieces of world literature.
Aristotle's "Poetics" and Epic PoetryEpic Poetry
The elimination of epic poetry from modern lit-sphere can be critically argued from Aristotle's "Poetics" too. As per Aristotle's view, epic poetry is a type of poetry that recounts lengthy narratives of heroes and gods' deeds. Such poetry often encompasses grand themes and uses elevated language, usually written in a formal, elevated style. In his work "Poetics," Aristotle regards epic poetry as the most superior form of poetry ( the other two are tragic, and comedic) and commends it for its capacity to motivate and enlighten the audience through its depiction of virtuous characters and actions. According to Aristotle, an epic poem has a grand plot, multiple characters, sublime thought and scholarly diction: the four “main ingredients”. Added to that there is heroic hexameter lines.
Arguably, Aristotle's "Poetics" identifies certain characteristics that are essential to the epic form, such as a long narrative, a hero of extraordinary stature, and the invocation of the muse. These elements may not be as valued in modern literature, where brevity and experimentation are often prized over traditional forms.
Criticism of R.J. Rees
In his book "English Literature: An Introduction for Foreign Students," R.J. Rees claims that the epic as a literary form is no longer being pursued by modern writers. He believes that this statement holds true, with the exception of James Joyce's "Ulysses," which could be considered an epic work. However, this doesn't mean that classic epics like Homer's "Iliad" and "Odyssey," Virgil's "Aeneid," or Dante's "The Divine Comedy" are no longer of interest to readers. It's just that modern readers seem to have lost their enthusiasm for serious epic works, and the interest in them is limited to academic circles.
Birth of Individualism
One factor contributing to the lack of modern epics is the shift in societal values towards individualism. Epic poems are typically centered around collective efforts, heroic deeds, and great battles, which require a sense of shared purpose and community. However, in modern times, people tend to focus more on their individual goals and achievements rather than the common good, which makes it harder to create a collective sense of purpose that can inspire an epic. The epic form may be seen as too grandiose or outdated for contemporary audiences. The focus of modern literature may be more on exploring the complexities of human relationships and experiences rather than on grandiose heroic tales.
The difficulty of the poetic language and syntax used in classic epics does not suit the modern time. The language of epic poems is often archaic and difficult to understand for modern readers, making it challenging to engage with the work. This has led some writers to experiment with new forms and styles that are more accessible to modern audiences.
These changes in the literary canon have contributed to the decline of the epic genre. Modern literary tastes have shifted away from traditional forms of poetry towards more experimental forms, such as free verse and prose poetry. This shift has reduced the demand for new epic works and made it harder for aspiring writers to find a receptive audience for their work.
Is there a chance that an Epic been Written in Modern Times by modern author in modern setting?
Despite these challenges, some writers have attempted to revive the epic genre in modern times. There is certainly an argument to be made that James Joyce's "Ulysses" can be considered an epic. The novel follows the journey of its protagonist, Leopold Bloom, through Dublin on a single day, and draws heavily from Homer's "Odyssey," with each chapter corresponding to a particular episode in the epic poem.
Like traditional epic works, "Ulysses" explores grand themes such as heroism, the search for identity, and the struggle between good and evil. The novel is also highly experimental in form and style, much like other modernist works that sought to break free from traditional literary conventions. However, it is important to note that not all literary critics and scholars agree on whether "Ulysses" should be considered an epic. Some argue that the novel deviates too far from traditional epic form and conventions to be classified as such.
Derek Walcott's "Omeros" is another notable example, a retelling of Homer's "Iliad" and "Odyssey" set in the Caribbean. While "Omeros" is a significant work, it has not achieved the same cultural impact as classic epics. This suggests that the epic genre may have evolved into other forms of media, such as film and television, where the themes of heroism, adventure, and battle can be explored in a more accessible and engaging way. there is always a chance that a modern author could write an epic work in a modern setting. While the traditional elements of an epic may not be as prevalent in modern society, the form itself can be adapted to fit contemporary themes and values. It's possible that a modern writer could take inspiration from classic epics and create a work that reflects the heroism and larger-than-life themes in a modern context.
While the Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling has been immensely popular and has many elements of a hero's journey, it is not typically considered an epic in the traditional literary sense. The series does not have the same grandeur or scope as classic epics such as Homer's "Iliad" and "Odyssey" or Virgil's "Aeneid." The hero, Harry Potter, is not of extraordinary stature or divine lineage, and the story does not involve gods or goddesses. Additionally, the series is not written in a grand, elevated style.
Critical Hammering
Again, the epic has become an impossibility in contemporary literature due to the overwhelming influence of literary theory. The rise of theorists such as Ferdinand de Sassure, Jaeques Derrida, Roland Barths, Stanley Fish, and Pierre Machieray, and their theories of deconstruction, reader response, and the theory of absence, have challenged the idea that a particular text has a clear and definitive meaning.
The concept of the author and their intentions or messages has also been questioned, with the death of the author being proclaimed. This has led to a rejection of the idea that a text has a unified message or meaning. Instead, meaning has become contingent and subject to interpretation, with Perida's assertion that meaning is always differed and Macheray's belief that meaning is not in the text, but rather outside in the "absences."
As a result, the epic, which requires a clear and unified message and meaning, is no longer a possibility in contemporary literature. The splintered possibilities in meaning that dominate contemporary literary theory leave little room for the epic to exist.
Conclusion
The lack of modern epics can be attributed to several factors, including the focus on individualism, the difficulty of the poetic language, and changes in the literary canon. While some writers have attempted to revive the genre, it has not achieved the same cultural impact as classic epics. However, the epic genre may have evolved into other forms of media that fulfill similar thematic and narrative functions.
References
1.De, A., & profile, V. (2011, March 30). Epic as a form of Art is dead. Epic as a Form of Art Is Dead. https://ardhendude.blogspot.com/2011/03/epic-as-form-of-art-is-dead.html
2. The poet’s world : an anthology of English poetry / chosen and edited by James Reeves | National Library of Australia. (n.d.). The Poet’s World : An Anthology of English Poetry / Chosen and Edited by James Reeves | National Library of Australia. https://catalogue.nla.gov.au/Record/1028561
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