ARISTOTLE'S COMMENTS ON EPIC

Epic is older than tragedy. Epic evolved out of hymns to Gods and songs sung in praise of heroes. It has many things in common with tragedy. Tragedy came out of epic. Aristotle says that an epic is an imitation of action that is serious, whole and complete. Aristotle has said that one who knows tragedy also knows epic. Unlike tragedy an epic is meant to be read. An epic has plot, character, thought and diction. The plot may be simple or complex, just as the plot of a tragedy. The objective of an epic also is to produce catharsis in the readers by arousing the feelings of pity and fear in their minds. Though Aristotle does not say so explicitly, the plot is the most important constituent of an epic. However, an epic involves narration not dramatic action. It must have a beginning, a middle part, and an end. However, the parts are not to be organized as in the case of historical writings. In the case of historical writings the focus is not on a single action but a particular period of time. The historian refers to all the important persons and events in the period .The relations between the persons and events or between the persons may not be very clear. In an epic the poet focuses his attention on a particular action. According to Aristotle Homer is the best epic poet as he did not include everything that happened during the Trojan War. An epic can be long or short as there is no limit to narration. The poet has the freedom to move from place to place as he likes.
The poet may stay back and let the characters to speak. As the poet does not have to convince the audience in theatre as in the case of tragedy, he can indulge in his imagination and narrate things as he thinks. Aristotle also says that the heroic hexameter is the appropriate meter for the epic as it has the greatest stability. It helps the poet to employ various metaphors in his narration. The trochaic and iambic tetra meter is appropriate for dancing. Only the literate can read and enjoy epics. Anyone even if the person is illiterate, can watch and enjoy a tragedy. However, those who can read will be able to watch a tragedy and enjoy it. Aristotle believes that a tragedy can produce more pleasure than an epic can. And hence tragedy is the best form of poetry.