Classical Epic: Iliad and Aeneid tells myth of culture’s formative beginning begins with invocation to Muses composed in Greek or Latin meter dactylic hexameter (long lines) sound devices: no end rhyme or alliteration extended similes action begins in middle of story; uses flashbacks for earlier events

Medieval Epic: Beowulf and Roland originates “national” literature composed in vernacular shorter lines sound device: alliteration or end rhyme kennings or short similes--fewer poetic devices than classical epic narrative arranged chronologically

Medieval Romance first written in south of France in 12th C much shorter than epics focus on courtly love stories of knights and ladies –lady has higher social standing –man has an ideal of service to the lady –“true” love always outside marriage at this social level, marriage always arranged often poetry with sound devices: end rhyme immense and instant popularity

Medieval Romance vs. Medieval Epic Lays, Arthurian romances, interludes from Inferno both poetic and prose short narratives new high medieval tradition –begun in Southern France by poets composing under the patronage of women –rooted in worship of Mary Beowulf, Roland, Inferno poetic long narratives Inferno borrows from earlier traditions –classical nearly all of its structural poetic devices –Germanic warrior culture hero as Christian seeker after salvation

Dante combines epic and romance first medieval epic to borrow from classical epic alternates between high epic seriousness and fun romantic interludes--the little stories of all whom Dante encounters on his epic journey invocation to Muses in canto 2 uses extended similes uses end rhyme