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LECTURE 4
EPIC POETRY
An epic poem, epic, epos, or epopee is a lengthy narrative poem in which took place the extraordinary doings of extraordinary men and women. They were dealing with the God, or other superhuman forces. Famous examples of epic poetry include the French “Song of Roland”, the English “Beowulf”, The German “Song of Nibelungs” and so on.
Epic poems were elaborated by bards who could memorize the poem as received in tradition and add to the epic in their performances.
The English word epic comes from Ancient Greek “epos” which means “story, poem.” The first epics were transmitted to the audience and from performer to performer by purely oral means. The epic hero generally participates in a cyclical journey, faces adventures and returns home significantly transformed by his journey. Many of them are characters in the legends of their native culture. The oldest surviving epic poem is “The Epic of Gilgamesh” which is considered to have been composed in ancient Mesopotamia. It tells the story about King Gilgamesh who travels to find the secret of immorality.


GERMAN EPIC POEM
THE NIBELUNGENLIED, or THE SONG OF THE NIBELUNGS
It is an epic poem from around 1200 written in Middle German. It was ever named Germans Iliad because the song contains myths and history. It is the epic Germanic Tale of love, death and revenge.
The epic is written as an introduction to a tragic end. It is told in two parts, however both centre on Kriemhild, the primary female hero.
Firstly, the epic was made out of two unlinked stories. The first one was based on Siegfried’s death and it was mythical. The second part was based on historic event, the ruination of the Burgunds country in 437.
The song is specific because it differs from other epics written at that time because this one is about family. It had a great influence on European literature.
The small introduction leads us into the plot.
Summary of the Song of Nibelungs
The Nibelungs are demonic dwarfs and their king owns a great treasure. A Burgundy trial was named to be Nibelungs because Siegfried stole it. At the start of the tale the Kingdom of Worms has passed to Kriemhilds’ brothers. She has chosen never to wed. Siegfried, the prince from Xanten decides to wed her in spite of her promise. He came to Worms and brought the treasure he stole from the Nibelungs. He decided to get his way by helping Gunter, one of Kriemhilds’ brothers, win over Brunhild, very beautiful and powerful princess. She used to kill the men who lost in a fight with her and promised to marry the one who would win her in a fight.
Siegfried won her but in the wedding Gunter took his place, wed her and let Siegfried marry Kriemhild.
Some years later Brunhild found out about the fraud and decided to kill Siegfried. After that Kriemhild tried to get revenge for the death of Siegfried.