A heroic poem is ... A heroic poem in literature

What is a heroic poem? Obviously, this is a term denoting a certain literary genre. How is it characterized and how does it differ from others? In which countries were such works created? What can serve as an example of this genre? The answers to these questions can be found in the article.

The concept

Definitely, the "heroic poem" is a compound term. It is based on two concepts: "poem" and "hero." It makes sense to consider each separately, and then combine the meaning.

The poem (from the Greek poiema "creation") as a literary genre is a large volume in verse, referring to the lyric-epic genus. This work consists of several parts, united by one plot, in which any important events are transmitted in the narrative form. Features of the poem as a literary genre:

• Unfolded plot (set of scenes and events);
• Latitude of narration (sometimes covers years and generations);
• A deeply open image of the lyric hero.

The origins of the poem lie in the epics of antiquity and the Middle Ages.

The hero (from the Greek geros "brave, strongman, demigod" and the French heros "hero") - in the literature this word can represent the following concepts:

• The main character of a work;
• Valorous brave man, the performer of exploits.

Formed from the noun "hero", the adjective "heroic", respectively, can mean the following:

• Capable of heroism;
• Describing some heroic events.

Heroic Poem: Definition

Using the definitions of the concepts "poem" and "hero", one can formulate what "heroic poem" means. This literature is a multi-part poetic work, the theme of which are some important and heroic events, usually associated with the legendary characters, their exploits or travels.

The heroic poem is, above all, a work of art, which is a literary-crafted folk epic, characteristic of many cultures and that has existed since antiquity.

Almost every nation in the world has a heroic poem in one form or another. Epic folk legends gradually merged into poetic cycles, then became widely known and popular.

As a rule, the epic work has an author who combined and processed literary scattered tales. Examples of the ancient heroic epic include the Indian Ramayana and the Mahabharata, the Greek Iliad and Odyssey, the Old Norse Edda, the Finnish Kalevala, the German Song of the Nibelungs, the French Song of Roland, the Italian "Liberated Jerusalem", Anglo-Saxon "Beowulf", etc.

From antiquity to classicism

The genre of the heroic epic inspired poets of both ancient times and subsequent centuries. His heyday he reached in the XVIII century., And was enthusiastically picked up by representatives of classicism. The genre of the historical poem attracted them with its heroic pathos, loftiness and civic-mindedness. The lyrical hero of the poem must necessarily have been a moral model. The classicists called these works the pinnacle of poetic art. It was believed that every nation should strive to create its own heroic poems.

At the height of classicism, the heroic poem is a poetic work written in sublime style and consisting of many chapters, often referred to as "songs." The subject of the story invariably became historical events, significant for the people, the country and all of humanity. Another name for this genre is the epic.

Contents of the heroic poem

According to the canons of classicism, such a work must necessarily include the following components:

• The beginning, informing about the subject of the narrative;
• Appeal to those who inspired the poet;
• A large number of detailed battle scenes;
• Fantastic elements of the plot and mythological characters;
• Allegorical characters representing vice, virtue, justice, power, envy, etc .;
• Lines about the future, set forth as a divination.

In the Russian tradition

The Russian heroic poem was developed in the works of MV Lomonosov (Peter the Great), VK Trediakovsky (Tilemakhida), AP Sumarokov (Dimitriad) and AN Maikov ("Liberated Moscow ") And M. M. Kheraskov (" The Battle of Chesme "and" Rossiada "). All these works were written in the style of classicism. The narrative went on one of the alternative ways: the predominance of historical or artistic in the plot. In the first case, emphasis was placed on preserving historical certainty, and in the second, on artistic comprehension of past events and the development of their moral assessment. Therefore, individual Russian heroic poems differ significantly in style and direction.

In the eastern tradition

The heroic poem in the East is a small epic genre known as "dastan" (translated from the Persian "story"). Such a work can be written in a poetic, prosaic and even mixed language (that is, it can combine poetry and prose).

Usually the basis of the plot of dastan lay folk traditions and fairy tales. For this genre there are often fantastic and adventure stories with a lot of complex twists and turns. The image of the protagonist is a moral ideal. Thus, the eastern dastan is an analogue of the European heroic poem.

This literary genre is represented in the works of Tajik-Persian, Uzbek and Kazakh poets. Examples of oriental heroic poems: "Leili and Majnun", the classic of Persian poetry Nizami Ganjavi, the epic poem "Shahname" by Firdousi, the poetic work of the Uzbek poet Alisher Navoi and the Persian-Tajik poet Jami.

After tracing the historical path that the heroic poem has gone through, it can be confidently asserted that this genre was characteristic of mankind at all stages of its existence, and also developed in many parts of the world.