why is odyssey considered an epic poem?

Answer 1

Technically, it is a "nostos" epic, or an epic of homecoming, as opposed to a "kleos" epic, or an epic of glory. You can also term them "peace" and "war" epics. Epics are grand in scope (both in terms of time frame and setting) and encompass grandiose human ideals, like love, life, what it means to be human, etc..

"The Odyssey" deals with primal human archetypes, such as the return home, the search for the father, and faithfulness, each of which is embodied by Odysseus, Telemachus, and Penelope (in that order). The poem is broad in setting, encompassing all of the known world (and then some) at the time it was written, and in time period, occupying ten years of time. "Epic" can simply mean "grand," and "The Odyssey" was -- and still is -- as grand a poem as they come. It is the quintessential "peace" epic, just as "The Iliad" is the quintessential "war" epic. Each of Homer's poems helped defined the genre of epic poetry, so in that sense, one might almost say that "The Odyssey" is considered an epic because it is the definition of an epic. It's a circular definition, but since the poem defines its own genre, so be it.

Answer 2

First of all by the mere definition of the word EPIC. Secondly the author probably captured no less than two historical events that still are recalled, recorded in history as well as verse, and related all over the world. I think both works should be required reading; if they aren't

Steven Wolf

Answer 3

its an epic because of its length

Answer 4

because it'''''''''''''''''s EpIc