Question

Why is repetition an important part of an epic's structure? Check all that apply. It allows poets to remember and retell the poem. It introduces additional themes. It helps the audience absorb the poem. It distracts from the main idea. It creates a rhythmic pattern. It emphasizes important ideas. Multiple answers.

Answer 1

it allows poets to remember and retell poems

it helps the audience absorb the poem

it creates a rhythmic pattern

it emphasizes inportant ideas

Answer 2

Repetition of sounds and words in an epic structure can add musicality to the poem creating a specific rhythm. Therefore, answer 5 (It creates a rhythmic pattern is correct). Also, repetition on sounds and words can make the poem easier to memorize. For this reason, literary devices such as alliteration and anaphoras are used. As repetition helps to memorize, answers 1 and 3 are correct: repetition allows the poet to remember and retell the poem, and it helps the audience absorb the poem. Historically, epic has been related to oral tradition; hence, repetition is important to improve memory and transmit the story.

Moreover, some words are often repeated because they are relevant in the structure of the epic. In this case, answer 6 (It emphasizes important ideas) is also correct.