“Dante’s Divine Comedy: A Biography” by Joseph Luzzi considers how the great poem has been received over the centuries.
Poetry Becomes Theater: “The Last Days of Troy” by Simon Armitage
In “The Last Days of Troy,” British poet laureate Simon Armitage turns Homer’s epic poem into a riveting theater production.
“The Battle of Maldon” by J.R.R Tolkien, Edited by Peter Grybauskas
In “The Battle of Maldon,” Tolkien scholar Peter Grybauskas provides insights into both an epic poem and the great storyteller’s translation.
Poets and Poems: James Sale and “StairWell”
In “StairWell,” poet James Sale continues his Dante-like epic poem, a marvel of imagination and insight into postmodernism.
Poets and Poems: Marly Youmans and “Seren of the Wildwood”
“Seren of the Wildwood” by poet and writer Marly Youmans is a marvelous epic poem of a young girl finding her way through life.
The Enduring Appeal of “Sir Gawain and the Green Knight”
“Sir Gawain and the Green Night” continues to find readers and audiences, helped by modern translations and a movie with Dev Patel.
Poets and Poems: Andrew Benson Brown and “Legends of Liberty”
“Legends of Liberty” by Andrew Benson Brown is part epic, mock-epic, historical fact and invention, and all sheer fun.
James Sale and “HellWard” – Writing an Epic Poem in English
Few poets would attempt what James Sale is doing — writing an epic poem in English inspired by Dante’s “The Divine Comedy.”
Reader, Come Home: “The Odyssey”
Join Megan Willome as she completes a deep read of the hero Odysseus in Emily Wilson’s translation of “The Odyssey.” And share your May pages.
“The Fall of Arthur” – A Fragment by J.R.R. Tolkien
The legend of King Arthur has captivated imaginations for centuries. Geoffrey of Monmouth started it, and even J.R.R. Tolkien tried his hand at it.
Reading in the Wild: January’s Pages
Come learn the secrets of being a wild reader. Or just share your January pages. Megan Willome leads the way, with her January good reads.
Poetry Prompt: A Tunnel to the Underworld
In Greek mythology, Persephone was snatched from the world she knew and taken to the underworld to become the wife of Hades. Come tunnel your way to the underworld with us, in poetry.
The Mythic and Heroic: “The Song of Hiawatha” by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
“The Song of Hiawatha” by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow is a beautiful story about a heroic leader who loses what he holds most dear.
Tales of the First Age: “Beren and Luthien” by J.R.R. Tolkien
“Beren and Luthien” by J.R.R. Tolkien is the latest story edited by his son and literary executor Christopher Tolkien, and one of the earliest he wrote.
Facing Ordeals, Learning Personal Qualities: How Odysseus’s Adventures Served Him Well
Through a series of adventures, Odysseus experiences an inner journey that teaches him prudence. By the end, peace brings his journey full circle.
Twitter Party: The Odyssey and The Wooded Isle, Part 1
“The Odyssey” by Homer provided the prompts for Tweetspeak’s recent poetry party on Twitter, and 10 would-be Homers wrote their own epic poems.
Culture and Society in The Odyssey
The culture and society that infuses Homer’s The Odyssey is similar to and different from modern Western culture and society. Here’s a clear analysis of how, with intriguing examples.
How to Write an Epic Poem: Infographic
Help our noble hero fight good and evil with an epic poem. Our colorful epic poetry infographic will show you how. (And maybe make you laugh along the way.)
The Literary Epic: Poetry Prompt
Come along on an exploration of the literary epic and find out why Virgil made us readers. Remember to pack your prompt-writing pencil!
Have We Outlived Epic Poetry? Maybe, But Herrera to Rowling Say No
Have we outlived epic poetry? Karen Swallow Prior points to today’s epic literature and the communal creation of a new epic poem as evidence it’s still around.