The epic or heroic poem, as defined by M.H. Abrams, is "a work that meets at least the following criteria: it is a long verse narrative on a serious subject, told in a formal and elevated style, and centered on a heroic or quasi-divine figure on whose actions define the fate of a tribe, a nation or the human race" (76). He also tells us that because of its elevated style, length and sheer magnificence, …
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…within. Works Cited Pope, Alexander. "The Rape of the Lock." Norton Anthology of Poetry. Ed. Ferguson, Margaret, Mary Jo Salter, and Jon Stallworthy, 4th ed. New York: Norton, 1997 Abrams, M.H. A Glossary of Literary Terms. 7th ed. Orlando: Harcourt Brace UP, 1999 Gordon, Ian. A Preface to Pope. 2nd ed. New York: Longman Group Ltd., 1993 Harris, Stephen L. Classical Mythology: Images and Insights. Ed. Stephen L. Harris, Gloria Platzner, 2nd ed. Sacramento: Mayfield Publishing Co.