Literary Subgenres: Epic Poetry, Romance, and Dramatic Forms

Literary works are categorized into various subgenres, each with distinct characteristics and historical significance. This document delves into key forms of narrative verse and dramatic literature.

Narrative Verse Forms

1. The Epic

   The epic is a very long poem that recounts important events in the history of a people. Examples include the Iliad and Odyssey, both attributed to Homer (11th century BC). These works relate the adventures of heroes from the Trojan War, especially Achilles and Odysseus (also known as Ulysses).

2. The Epic Poem

   The epic poem is a medieval epic, popular and anonymous in nature, created to exalt the deeds of a historical character who becomes a legendary hero. Minstrels learned these songs and recited them in a solemn tone, speaking directly to the audience to attract attention. A notable example is the Poema de Mio Cid (12th century).

3. The Romance Narrative

   The romance narrative is a short poem whose origin may predate fragments of minstrel songs, often repeated by popular demand. Many romance narratives also recount heroic deeds, but later the romance evolved into a form suitable for transmitting various topics, not just epic.

Dramatic Literary Forms

Beyond narrative verse, dramatic forms offer unique ways of storytelling and engaging with audiences.

• Tragedy

  Tragedy is the imitation of a high and complete action of a certain magnitude, expressed in a distinctly nuanced language for different parts. Its aim is often to evoke pity and fear in the audience, leading to catharsis.

• Comedy (Classical Definition)

  Comedy, in its classical sense, is the imitation of the most vulgar, but not vulgar in any class, nor any physical or moral ugliness, but only that species which is ridiculous. It describes intellectually deformed and laughable specific aspects of daily life. Characters are typically of lower status, the outcome is happy and upbeat, and its purpose is to provoke laughter from the audience.

• Comedy (Broader Theatrical Term)

  The term comedy was also applied to a play that does not necessarily have a comic character. Its goals are: to imitate human actions, depict customs, and to please the audience, regardless of a humorous outcome.

• Farce

  Farce is a comic drama written and plotted with the sole purpose of making people laugh by showcasing ridiculous characters and situations. It is a type of work in which reality is distorted, stylized, grotesque, or carnivalized.

• Sainete

  A sainete is a brief, usually humorous play, featuring characters that almost always represent popular types. It usually depicts neighborhood life, often with a focus on local customs and dialect.