The Epic An Essay   By: Lascelles Abercrombie (1881-1938)

The Epic An Essay by Lascelles Abercrombie is a thought-provoking and insightful exploration of the nature and significance of epic poetry. Abercrombie, an accomplished poet himself, delves into the essence of the epic form, dissecting its structure, purpose, and the emotions it evokes in the reader.

The book is divided into three parts, each examining a different aspect of the epic. In the first part, Abercrombie provides an in-depth analysis of the origins and historical development of the epic genre. He explores how epic poetry, with its grand scale and heroic characters, emerged as a means of capturing and immortalizing the heroic deeds of ancient societies. Abercrombie skillfully weaves examples from famous epics such as Homer's Iliad and Odyssey, Virgil's Aeneid, and Milton's Paradise Lost to support his arguments and provide context to his discussion.

Moving on to the second part, the author dives into the structural elements that make an epic distinctive. Abercrombie dissects the importance of plot, character development, and the utilization of the supernatural in crafting an engaging epic. He explores the role of the divine, whether in the form of gods, fate, or destiny, emphasizing how these elements add depth and meaning to the narrative. Abercrombie's analysis is both thorough and accessible, making it a valuable resource for both literary scholars and casual readers.

The final part of the book delves into the emotional impact of the epic. Abercrombie explores the range of emotions invoked by these grand narratives, from the sublime to the tragic. He delves into the themes of heroism, sacrifice, loyalty, and the existential questions that arise in epic poems. By examining the impact of epics on the reader, Abercrombie highlights their enduring relevance and the valuable insights they offer into the human condition.

What sets The Epic An Essay apart is Abercrombie's ability to combine his academic expertise with an engaging writing style. He avoids dense jargon and complex theories, making the book accessible to readers outside of academic circles. Furthermore, Abercrombie's passion for and deep understanding of the subject matter shines through, making the text engaging and enjoyable.

However, it is worth noting that the book's brevity may leave some readers craving more in-depth analysis and examples. Abercrombie touches on several fascinating topics, but a more comprehensive exploration could have enriched the reader's understanding even further.

Overall, The Epic An Essay is a valuable contribution to the field of literary criticism. Abercrombie's ability to dissect and analyze the epic genre, along with his engaging writing style, make this book a worthwhile read for anyone interested in exploring the profound impact of epic poetry on literature and culture.

First Page:

As this essay is disposed to consider epic poetry as a species of literature, and not as a department of sociology or archaeology or ethnology, the reader will not find it anything material to the discussion which may be typified in those very interesting works, Gilbert Murray's "The Rise of the Greek Epic" and Andrew Lang's "The World of Homer." The distinction between a literary and a scientific attitude to Homer (and all other "authentic" epic) is, I think, finally summed up in Mr. Mackail's "Lectures on Greek Poetry"; the following pages, at any rate, assume that this is so. Theories about epic origins were therefore indifferent to my purpose. Besides, I do not see the need for any theories; I think it need only be said, of any epic poem whatever, that it was composed by a man and transmitted by men. But this is not to say that investigation of the "authentic" epic poet's milieu may not be extremely profitable; and for settling the preliminaries of this essay, I owe a great deal to Mr. Chadwick's profoundly interesting study, "The Heroic Age"; though I daresay Mr... Continue reading book >>