The epic or heroic poem, as defined by M.H. Abrams, is "a work that meets at least the following criteria: it is a long verse narrative on a serious subject, told in a formal and elevated style, and centered on a heroic or quasi-divine figure on whose actions define the fate of a tribe, a nation or the human race" (76). He also tells us that because of its elevated style, length and sheer magnificence, …showed first 75 words of 2469 total…

…showed last 75 words of 2469 total…within. Works Cited Pope, Alexander. "The Rape of the Lock." Norton Anthology of Poetry. Ed. Ferguson, Margaret, Mary Jo Salter, and Jon Stallworthy, 4th ed. New York: Norton, 1997 Abrams, M.H. A Glossary of Literary Terms. 7th ed. Orlando: Harcourt Brace UP, 1999 Gordon, Ian. A Preface to Pope. 2nd ed. New York: Longman Group Ltd., 1993 Harris, Stephen L. Classical Mythology: Images and Insights. Ed. Stephen L. Harris, Gloria Platzner, 2nd ed. Sacramento: Mayfield Publishing Co.