epic simile

noun

1. a simile developed over several lines of verse, especially one used in an epic poem.

epic simile

noun

1. an extended simile, as used in the epic poetry of Homer and other writers

Word History and Origins

Origin of epic simile¹

First recorded in 1940–45

More About Epic Simile

What is an epic simile?

An epic simile is a comparison of two unlike things over the course of several lines or verses of poetry.

An epic simile is a figure of speech used to compare two unlike things in an extensive way over several lines of poetry. You’ll find them especially in epic poems—lengthy stories told about a hero and the events of their heroic journey. Often epic similes will be used to compare the actions of the hero to the action of an animal or force of nature that is both well known and dramatic. 

Because some of the most well-known epic similes come from Ancient Greek poet Homer, epic similes are sometimes called Homeric similes. Homer’s epic poems the Iliad and the Odyssey contain epic similes.

Example: My favorite poetry class assignment was to write an epic simile of 100 lines comparing Homer’s Odysseus to a modern invention.

Where does epic simile come from?

The first records of the term epic simile come from around the 1940s. It combines the term epic, meaning “a poem that is usually long and focused on a hero,” and simile, meaning “a comparison of two unlike things using the terms like or as.” Literally, an epic simile compares two unlike things in a long poem.

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What are some synonyms for epic simile?

• Homeric simile

What are some words that share a root or word element with epic simile? 

• epic
• epically
• simile

What are some words that often get used in discussing epic simile?

• compare
• hero
• Homer
• meaning
• verse

How is epic simile used in real life?

Epic simile is almost always used in reference to literature and poetry.

As night follows day, so the North Yorkshire snows melt to be followed by the cold, soaking, no-fun misery of….slush. Little bit of epic simile to start your Sunday there. Pass me my coffee and call me Cecil Day-Lewis.

— David Banks (@DBanksy) March 4, 2018

What do we wante?
Epic simile!
Whanne do we wante yt?
As a Thracian runner heareth the race begin and thinketh: now! – so do we wante thys.

— Chaucer Doth Tweet (@LeVostreGC) March 16, 2015

Early draft had epic simile: "Cameroon" as blue shade of Farrow&Ball paint, claims eco-friendly to make mid classes comfy, turns out flaky.

— Rafael Behr (@rafaelbehr) June 21, 2012

 

 

Try using epic simile!

True or False?

An epic simile is a comparison of similar things done in one line of text.