The Epic An Essay

"The Epic" by Lascelles Abercrombie is an essay on epic poetry likely written in the early 20th century. The work examines the nature, development, and significance of epic poetry within the context of literature, rather than approaching it solely from sociological or historical perspectives. Abercrombie argues that epic poetry emerges as an art form reflecting the Heroic Age—a time characterized by individual greatness and personal valor, providing insight into human experience and cultural expression through its major themes and storytelling methods. The opening of the essay outlines Abercrombie's intent to analyze epic poetry not merely as a collection of traditional tales, but as a literary genre that evolves with society. He introduces the concept of the Heroic Age, a period that recenters the individual amid tribal existence, spurring the creation of epics. The author discusses how this era has birthed various epic traditions across cultures, noting their shared features and distinct differences. He emphasizes that true epic poetry transcends the mere collection of heroic tales, emerging from a singular artistic vision that binds narrative and meaning while evolving over time. The initial sections set the foundation for exploring how epic poetry has shaped and, conversely, has been shaped by the imaginative and cultural landscapes of its time. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

Lascelles Abercrombie, was a British poet and literary critic, one of the "Dymock poets". After the First World War he worked as a professor of English literature in a number of English universities, writing principally on the theory of literature.