Why Can’t Cowley’s “Davideis” be Judged as an Epic?

Answer

Why can’t Cowley’s “Davideis” be judged as an epic?

Abraham Cowley’s (1618-1667) “Davideis” is a notable work in English literature, but it is often not considered a true epic in the traditional sense. There are a few reasons why “Davideis” does not fit the conventional criteria of an epic poem:

Length: Epic poems are typically long and expansive, often spanning multiple books or cantos. “Davideis,” on the other hand, consists of only four books and is relatively shorter compared to other well-known epics like Homer’s “Iliad” or Virgil’s “Aeneid.”

Subject Matter: Epics typically deal with grand themes, such as the founding of nations, heroic quests, or mythical events. While “Davideis” does feature biblical subject matter and focuses on the life of King David. It does not possess the epic scale and universality commonly associated with the genre. The poem primarily focuses on David’s early life and does not extend to the broader historical or cultural contexts usually explored in epics.

Invocation and Epic Simile: Epics often adhere to the invocation of the muse and the use of epic similes. While “Davideis” incorporates some of these elements, it does not consistently follow all the traditional epic conventions. The starting lines of Cowley’s poem “Davideis”: 

I sing the Man who Judahs Scepter bore

In that right hand which held the Crook before;

Style and Structure: Epic poems generally employ a formal, elevated style of language. Cowley’s “Davideis” deviates from these norms and is written in a looser, more varied meter.

While “Davideis” possesses some elements commonly associated with epics, it lacks the above-mentioned features of a traditional epic. Therefore, it is often not classified as a true epic, but rather as a heroic poem or a religious allegory.