English 1130

Western Humanities I
Dr. O'Dea

EPIC AND ROMANCE GENRES

At first glance the epic and the romance seem more alike than not. Both are long narrative poems about
heroic adventures, both depict battles and supernatural agencies, and both make a quest their central
action. The romance, however, grew out of the epic tradition and distinguished itself from its parent by
varying some of the epic's more prominent features. The comparative chart below summarizes some of
the salient distinctions. Keep in mind, though, that it is vastly generalized, and that no one epic or
romance can be held strictly accountable for these features.

EPIC
2) Focus on the mysterious and fantastic,
1) Heroic Age, centering on courage and dealing with uncertain locations and
strength fictional events

2) Focus on the weighty and solid, dealing

with real places and historic events of 3) Style is lighter and fanciful
national importance
4) Characters are erratically and variously
3) Style is tragic and serious portrayed

4) Character portrayal is consistent 5) Heroes are skilled rather than powerful,

5) Heroes are physically powerful and
imposing. They are national figures, well-
known for their abilities at the time of
poem's action
beautiful rather than large, little known at
time of action, trying to make a reputation
6) Heroes embark on fairly aimless
adventures; fighting is spontaneous, with
uncertain purpose

6) Heroes have purposeful, high-level goals in 7) Narrative is loosely structured

their actions; fighting is clearly motivated
and planned
8) Imagery relies on involved systems of
symbolism and numerology
7) Narrative is highly structured and unified

8) Imagery relies on "epic simile," or

elaborate comparison of objects

ROMANCE

1) Chivalric age, centering on piety, morals,

love, and manners