What is an epic?

Answer 1

Let's first look at the definition of Epic
. The word is derived from the Latin "epicus", and from the Greek "epikos"

As a noun

1.An extended narrative poem in elevated or dignified language, celebrating the feats of a legendary or traditional hero.
2. A literary or dramatic composition that resembles an extended narrative poem celebrating heroic feats.

As an adjective

1 Of, constituting, having to do with, or suggestive of a literary epic: an epic poem.
2. Surpassing the usual or ordinary, particularly in scope or size: A vast landscape.
3. Heroic and impressive in quality

So "Epic has two components. Heroic and vast. In an Epic there is a hero or heroic feats and the setting is vast in scope -often a complete world.

Now let's look at the definition of Fantasy.

1. The creative imagination; unrestrained fancy. See Synonyms at imagination.
2. Something, such as an invention, that is a creation of the fancy.
3. A capricious or fantastic idea; a conceit.

4 a.Fiction characterized by highly fanciful or supernatural elements.
b. An example of such fiction.

So fantasy is defined as creative imagination and characterized by highly fanciful or supermatural events.

SO EPIC + FANTASY =

So we put the two together and we get a story of creative imagination that has a hero and or heroic feats and that takes place on an epic scale.

Refinement

Epic Fantasy is generally accepted today to be a sub-genre of Fantasy. The plot line usually centers on one person that develops through hardship and quest from a seemingly average person into a hero that performs heroic feats of might or magic -overcoming challenges that are epic in scope. Usually the whole world laid out in the piece is at stake.

Although often times in the work of Epic Fantasy it is discovered that the "average person" is actually of noble blood line or in possession of previously unknown special skills -typically magical in nature.

The setting for the piece is often one that has a Middle Ages flavor complete with swords, castles, and a magical scheme. Although many successful Epic Fantasy works have used other settings such as The Conan Series

Development of the Character

One of the most important aspects of Epic Fantasy is the development of the main character through the story. And this often follows a tried and true formula of classic steps that a Hero must undertake. This series of steps has been laid out by Joseph Campbell in his work The Hero's Journey and they include steps like

The Call to adventure - Where our average person is called to undertake a journey
Supernatural Aid - Where a mentor or guide is found (Usually a wizard)
The Road of Trials - A series of tasks and ordeals that our hero to be has to undergo on the road to his or her transformation.
So Let's Put it all together!

Epic Fantasy is a subgenre of fantasy and very similar to high-fantasy where a seemingly average person undergoes many trials and ordeals which develop him or her into a hero capable of heroic feats needed to thwart challenges of an epic scale. The work takes place in an imaginitive world and often the setting is Medieval in nature, complete with swords, castles, strange creatures and a magical system.

Answer 2

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Epic
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Look up epic in Wiktionary, the free dictionary.Epic may refer to:

In film and literature:

Epic poetry, a style of poetry
Epic film, a genre of film
Epic theater, a type of theater.
Epic (book), a book by Conor Kostick
Epic (film), Australian animated film (1985)
In music:

Epic Records, a record label
Epic metal, a type of heavy metal music
"Epic" (song), a popular single by the rock band Faith No More
Epic Mazur, an American rapper
In gaming:

Epic (game), a series of wargames
Epic Games, a computer game developer
Epic RPG, an online text based role playing game
In comics:

Epic Comics, an imprint of Marvel Comics
Epic Illustrated, an anthology series published by Marvel Comics
Epic can also refer to:

Epic Skate Park, one of the largest indoor skateboard parks in the UK
Epic 2015, short flash animation, set in 2015, about the future of the media and information
Epic Age, a time period in Indian history
Epimorphism,epic morphism, in mathematics
Epic Systems Corporation, a healthcare software company

Answer 3

An epic story is a story that is "heroic and impressive", surpassing what is expected in scope or length. Most often epic stories, plays, poems, and films cover a very long period of time, generations, centuries, or eons.

Answer 4

An epic is the answer given by a Christian to a simple question !
Hope this helps??

Answer 5

* very imposing or impressive; surpassing the ordinary (especially in size or scale); "an epic voyage"; "of heroic proportions"; "heroic sculpture"
* epic poem: a long narrative poem telling of a hero's deeds
* constituting or having to do with or suggestive of a literary epic; "epic tradition"

Answer 6

Usually referring to a long poem, story or film about heroic deeds or history.

Answer 7

Any work of literature, film etc that has heroic deeds for it's subject matter, or something of heroic or impressive proportions.

Answer 8

A really long film

Answer 9

some greater than the ordinary

Answer 10

This should read E-PIC......its a Digital photograph........