Greek Epic Poetry and Lyricism: Homer, Hesiod, and Sappho

The Greek Epic

Epic poetry sang the deeds of heroes, stories that occurred in a legendary past. It was transmitted orally from mouth to mouth, which also determined how to compose the introductory verses. With the alphabet, poets began to write what was transmitted orally. These exploits seem to have some historical background.

Within Greek epic literature, the work of two great authors stands out: Homer and Hesiod (8th - 7th century BC).

Homer

It was said that Homer was a poet who recited his poems and was represented as blind. His existence is wrapped up in legend. It seems that he lived in the late 8th century BC and was from Chios. He is the author of the first works of Greek literature that we have preserved: the Iliad and the Odyssey.

The Iliad

This narrates various events of the Trojan War. The Greek hero Achilles is angry with Agamemnon, the leader of the Greeks who had come to Troy to rescue Helen. The Trojans put the Greeks in trouble when Patroclus, Achilles' friend, comes to fight and dies at the hands of the Trojan Hector. Achilles returns to battle to avenge the death of his friend. He kills Hector and refuses to return his body to the Trojans. The old King Priam begs Achilles and offers a great bounty to bury his son. Achilles relents and allows the Trojans to take away the body of Hector.

The Lyric in Greece

Origin and Significance

Lyric poetry, touched to the sound of the lyre (from where it gets its name), was also born in Greece, particularly in Asia Minor, the most advanced area of the Greek world at the time, during the Archaic period (7th century BC). With this kind of poetry, love, the brevity of life, etc., are sung. It is of an intimate and personal character.

Classification of Lyricism in Greece

• Choral Lyric: It was recited by a chorus at parties or community events. We have preserved poems in which the victors in sports games held in various cities of Greece are praised.
• Iambic: Uses a meter closer to the spoken language. The issue is also popular, sneering, sarcastic, or critical.
• Elegy: Originally, it was a mourning song sung at banquets, perhaps funeral banquets.
• Idylls, Eclogues (Later): They refer to an idealized pastoral world, present moral ideas, and display courtesy and loving gallantry.

Within this category, we must mention a poet called Sappho, creator of beautiful poems dedicated to love. It seems that Sappho ran a circle of young girls, a couple that began in music and worship of Aphrodite.

The Lyric in Rome

As in Greece, its themes are in the orbit of the intimate and personal. Sub-genres can be distinguished, such as the monodic lyric, performed by a solo singer. In Rome, lyric poetry existed since its origins, and rituals known as Carmina. The lyric was composed in Rome to be recited, not sung.

Greek Theater

At the end of the 6th century BC, tragedy and comedy began to develop in the Greek world. Drama came when lyric poetry began to decline. Lyric poetry was a genre of its own aristocracy. However, the theater was represented before all the people; therefore, it is a popular genre. There were representations in all Greek cities, and in Athens, it was of special importance.