Books matching: epic poem
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- #1The Aeneidby:
Save:The Aeneid by Virgil is an epic poem that follows the journey of Aeneas, a Trojan hero who escapes the fall of Troy and embarks on a quest to find a new home in Italy, ultimately leading to the founding of Rome. The story is filled with heroic adventures, battles, and encounters with gods, all woven together to give Romans a legitimate claim to an ancient heritage that could rival the Greeks. The writing style is described as gripping and vivid, with detailed descriptions of war comparable to Homer's work, but with a unique literary style that includes imagery and scene setting.
10 Till he could found a city and bring home His gods to Latium, land of the Latin race, The Alban lords, and the high walls of Rome. Tell me the causes now, O Muse, how galled In her divine pride, an... - #2
Save:The Divine Comedy by Dante Alighieri is a poetic masterpiece that takes readers on an allegorical journey through Hell, Purgatory, and Paradise. Through vivid imagery and beautiful writing, Dante explores themes of redemption, spirituality, and the afterlife. The book is structured as a pilgrimage guided by the poet Virgil and the love of Dante's life, Beatrice, and is filled with encounters with various souls that reflect Dante's personal struggles and reflections on life.
The book is known for its depth, breadth, and power in poetry, capturing medieval attitudes and serving as a window into the late Middle Ages in Italy. Dante skillfully weaves historical, political, and religious elements into his work, creating a timeless exploration of human nature and the journey towards salvation.
For each canto in these notes, the reader will find broadly factual information and cross-references to texts cited by Dante that are worth reading alongside Dante’s own. The asterisks in the poem tex... - #3
Save:'Paradise Lost' by John Milton is an epic poem that retells the biblical story of the Fall of Man, focusing on the characters of God, Lucifer (Satan), Adam, and Eve. The poem is written in a grand and awe-inspiring style, with a vast cosmic setting and a deeply human tragedy at its core. Milton's characterization of Satan is particularly notable, with some readers finding him to be a charismatic and sympathetic figure.
The writing style of 'Paradise Lost' is described as beautiful, terrifying, and thought-provoking. Milton's use of rhythm and sound is praised as a supreme achievement, while the epic structure, beginning in medias res, and the invocation of the muse are noted as classically inspired elements. The poem delves into Christian themes, with discussions on the tyranny of Heaven, the rebellion of Satan, and the fall from grace of Adam and Eve.
He went to school to old Mr. Gill, at Paul’s School. Went at his own charge only to Christ’s College in Cambridge at fifteen, where he stayed eight years at least. Then he traveled into France and Ita... Homer's 'The Iliad' is an epic poem that delves into the epic battle of Troy during the early 12th century BC, focusing on the conflict between the hard-nosed Agamemnon and the flexible Achilles over war tactics involving two women captives. The narrative is full of gory war descriptions, hubris, pride, love, and passion, showcasing the essence of human nature and the constant struggle between personal motives and greater causes. The book intricately weaves together detailed descriptions of war, interactions with Greek gods, and familial histories, providing a rich tapestry of ancient Greek mythology and legends.
The writing style in 'The Iliad' is characterized by poetic storytelling, vivid battle scenes, bickering gods, vengeful heroes, and emotional depth. The narrative is a blend of action, emotion, and historical detail, creating a captivating tale that explores themes of heroism, honor, rage, and fate. Despite the lengthy and at times tedious battle scenes, the book manages to engage readers with its compelling characters, intricate plot, and timeless exploration of human nature and the complexities of war.
Sing, 0 Goddess, the ruinous wrath of Achilles, Son of Peleus, the terrible curse that brought Unnumbered woes upon the Achaeans and hurled To Hades so many heroic souls, leaving Their bodies the prey...- #5
Save:Readers share mixed opinions on Dante Alighieri's 'Inferno.' Some found the book to be a challenging yet rewarding journey through the nine circles of hell, appreciating the rich allegorical elements and historical insights it provided. Others struggled with the complex language and lack of action, feeling that the book may not appeal to a broader audience due to its dense nature and heavy reliance on footnotes.
“Reader, this is an honest book.” Montaigne says this of his Essays. We would like to say the same of this translation. We have tried to bring Dante into our English without being led into the temptat... - #6
Save:'The Odyssey' by Homer, translated by various authors, is an epic tale of the Greek hero Odysseus as he embarks on a perilous journey to return home to his wife Penelope in Ithaca after the Trojan War. The book is filled with adventure, mythical creatures, gods and goddesses, and life lessons. The story not only follows Odysseus' trials and tribulations but also intertwines the storylines of his son Telemachus and wife Penelope, offering a variety of perspectives for readers. The writing style of the various translations ranges from modern prose to traditional verse, making the epic accessible to a wide range of readers.
Tell of the storm-tossed man, O Muse, who wandered long after he sacked the sacred citadel of Troy. Many the men whose towns he saw, whose ways he proved; and many a pang he bore in his own breast at ... - #7
Save:Metamorphoses by Ovid is a captivating collection of myths from Greek and Roman mythology, focusing on physical transformations. The book weaves together various myths and legends, showcasing stories involving gods, goddesses, heroes, and heroines being transformed into different forms such as birds, trees, and stones. Ovid's writing style is described as lyrical, lush, and poetic, providing vivid descriptions that bring the ancient myths to life for readers.
Swiftly Ovid enters the theme of metamorphoses, the mutability of all things in creation. There is not much doubt that the source of his inspiration is in the first book of Lucretius’s De Rerum Natura... - #8
Save:The Faerie Queene by Edmund Spenser is a lengthy epic poem divided into six main books, each focusing on a specific virtue of chivalry such as Holiness, Temperance, Chastity, Justice, Friendship, and Courtesy. The narrative follows Arthurian knights, each representing a different virtue, as they embark on quests, fight foes symbolizing the opposite of their virtue, and encounter allegorical characters in a fantasy landscape. The book is rich in imagery, symbolism, and moral lessons, with intertwining storylines that keep the reader engaged despite its length and complexity.
- #9
Save:'Don Juan' by Lord Byron is a satirical epic poem that incorporates humor, romance, and social commentary. The poem follows the adventures of Don Juan, a charismatic and adventurous protagonist, as he navigates through various escapades across different countries. Byron's writing style infuses the work with wit, sarcasm, and sensuality, creating a vivid portrayal of 19th-century England and challenging the societal norms of the time. The poem's structure, using ottava rima form, allows Byron to seamlessly blend storytelling with poetic craftsmanship, making it an engaging and entertaining read for the audience.
I want a hero, an uncommon want, When every year and month sends forth a new one, Till after cloying the gazettes with cant, The age discovers he is not the true one. Of such as these I should not car... - #10
Save:Idylls of the King by Alfred Tennyson is a Victorian era take on the Arthurian legends in poetic form. The book comprises various poems that delve into the rise and fall of King Arthur, exploring themes of passion, tragedy, and Romanticism. Tennyson's work is described as more 'fantastic' than traditional Arthurian literature, with awe-inspiring descriptions of Camelot and a focus on the emotional arc of the fall of Camelot. The book includes character studies of women and an allegorical tale surrounding the figure of Arthur himself, depicting a struggle between sense and spirit, ideals and nature.
Recent material is listed in F. E. Faverty, ed. The Victorian Poets: A Guide to Research, Harvard, 1968, and in the annual bibliographies of studies in Victorian literature in the MLA International Bi...
