The Epic An Essay

"The Epic" by Lascelles Abercrombie is an essay that presents epic poetry as a unique art form born from the Heroic Age, a time when individual strength and courage were highly valued. Abercrombie sees epic poems not just as old stories, but as important pieces of literature that show how societies and cultures express themselves. He introduces the idea that these poems arose during a time when people started focusing on individual heroes within their communities, leading to the creation of epic tales. Abercrombie argues that these tales are unified by a single artistic viewpoint that brings together the story and its meaning, demonstrating how epic poetry has both influenced and been influenced by the imagination and culture of its time.