One of my goals in life is to write a horror novel in the style of an epic poem. However, I first need to learn what makes a poem…well…epic.

Here we go!

What is an epic poem?

An epic poem is a long, narrative poem that often tells grand stories about heros and their often-extraordinary adventures. They date back to ancient times and can be several pages (or even books) long, which allows the poet to give massive amounts of detail to the reader.

What makes an epic poem?

There are several key elements that make up an epic poem. They are:

Starting Point

Most epic poems will begin “In Medias Res,” or in the middle of the action. That way, it hooks the reader’s attention right away and makes them want to know more.

Length

As previously stated, many epic poems are several pages long, with some becoming book-length or longer.

Hero/Heroine

Your main character is often a noble person (in spirit) and either has a high social standing or some sort of supernatural/superhuman ability. They also often represent natural, cultural, or religious values.

Setting

An epic poem often traverses several rich settings and may also depict scenes from the past or future. It rarely stays in one place/time.

Invocation of the Muse

Most epics begin with an invocation of the muse, which is where the author asks for divine inspiration, guidance, or strength to tell the tale.

Divine Intervention

Gods (or other supernatural beings) will often play a part in the narrative. They can help the hero succeed, or present a myraid of issues for the hero to overcome.

Language

An epic poetry often uses elevated, sometimes flowery language to convey the grandness of the tale.

The epic simile

Epic poems often pad the story by using epic similes, which are long, detailed comparisons that may take several lines or more.

Meter

All epic poems use some form of meter. The most common form is Dactylic Hexameter (or Heroic Hexameter), which is six “feet” per line made of a dactyl (one long syllable and two short syllables) for a total of 10-15 syllables per line.

Those are the key elements that you’ll find in any epic poem, and while there may be more to it depending on theme and style, these will get you (and me!) on the right track.

Examples of Epic Poems

There are several well-known examples of epic poems, and anyone looking to write their own should read at least one of them for inspiration.

• The Illiad by Homer
• The Odyssey by Homer
• The Aeneid by Virgil
• The Divine Comedy by Dante Alighieri
• The Epic of Gilgamesh by Unknown
• Beowulf by Unknown
• Metamorphoses by Ovid
• Paradise Lost by John Milton
• Don Juan by Lord Byron
• The Faerie Queene by Edmund Spenser
• Sir Gawain and the Green Knight by Unknown

These are just a few of the epic poems available, and I have personally read seven of them (that I can remember- it’s been a minute since then). They all have the elements listed above, plus a few more, and can help inspire your story, teach you format, and give you a feel for the oldest storytelling style around.

Thank you for coming on this journey with me! Now, I have a better idea where to take my planned novel, and I can’t wait to see how it turns out!

If you’d like to learn more, check out this infographic from TweetSpeakPoetry!

Have you read any epic poems? Which one is your favorite? Let me know in the comments below!