Snow Maiden, Baba Yaga, Ivan Tsarevich - most people hear stories with the participation of these characters in early childhood. However, the world of folklore is much richer, it contains not only fairy tales, but also songs, ballads, epics. Not everyone can give the correct answer to the question of what was epic in literature, what is its role. So what is this genre?
Epics in Russian literature: history
This term began to be used only in 1839, it was coined by folklorist Ivan Sakharov. Previously, works related to this genre were called "old women," "antiquities." The most ancient of them were known back in the 10th century, in those days they were told to the accompaniment of a gusli. In the future, the tradition of using musical accompaniment faded. Such stories began to be published only at the beginning of the 18th century.
So what is epic in literature? The definition briefly sounds like an epic story-tale, which is one of the varieties of oral folk art that has a heroic-patriotic character. The main characters of such stories were primarily heroes. Plots related to the life of Ancient Russia, allow you to better imagine the way of thinking of people who lived in the IX-XIII centuries.
Features of the genre
Epics in Russian literature mainly described heroic events, often they considered various fascinating historical incidents. The plots were taken both from the history of Kievan Rus and from the events of prehistoric times. Among the characters of such works, in addition to the brave heroes fighting evil, there are fantastic images, for example, Snake Gorynych, Nightingale the Robber. Also, the roles of heroes went to real historical figures like the Kiev princes Igor and Vladimir.
What is epic in literature? It is also a work that does not have an author. Legends traveled from generation to generation, overgrown with new fascinating details. People who performed heroic songs were respectfully called "storytellers." What was required of them was not memorization of works by heart, but the ability to colorfully convey them, to prevent distortion of meaning.
Structure
Trying to understand what epic in literature is, it is necessary to imagine the structure of such a text. Basically, the works consisted of three compositional elements: chorus, conception, ending. The stories began with a tune, which was a kind of introduction. The refrain was required not to tell about the plot of a historical song, but to attract the attention of listeners.
What is epic in literature without cause? We are talking about the story itself, which dedicated the listeners to the main events, which were described in embellished folk works. Be sure to attend the ending, which is a kind of summing up. Also, the role of the ending could be taken by a joke.
For epics is characterized by a tonic verse, also called folk. For poetic lines the same number of stresses was required, while the number of syllables could be different. The first stress was mainly in the third syllable, counting from the beginning. The third syllable, counting from the end, was marked by the last stress. Also interesting is the abundance of epic formulas, an example of which is the expression "clear eyes."
Bogatyr epics
The most famous characters of heroic songs, such as three heroes. Without Dobrynya, Alyosha, Ilya, what is epics in literature? The definition of such works is heroic legends songs (there are also social ones). Muromets, Nikitich and Popovich became famous for their numerous military exploits, they served Vladimir Krasno Solnyshko.
An example of a typical heroic epic is a story describing the struggle of Ilya Muromets with the terrible Nightingale the robber who knows how to destroy life around him with the help of a whistle. The great hero, of course, takes the monster captive, breaking into his lair, and then takes his life. This same category includes an equally famous work about the battle of Dobrynia with the Serpent.
Social epics
Social works were also in great demand. An example of such an epic is the story of Sadko, a young gifted hussler who cannot gain fame in any way. In the end, the young man receives the patronage of the Sea Lord, impressed by his talent, but escapes from him and returns to his homeland, refusing the innumerable treasures offered to him.
The characters of social epics were mainly peasants, merchants, and princes are among them. In addition to the aforementioned Sadko, popularity was gained by such heroes as Mikula, Volga. Social and heroic works are equally attractive with high-quality portrayal of the characters of the main characters.
So what is epic in literature? The short answer is a work imbued with patriotism, faith in the triumph of good and the defeat of evil.