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🪕world literature i review

Journey

Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025

Definition

A journey is a process of traveling from one place to another, often symbolizing a quest for self-discovery, growth, and transformation. In epic poetry, journeys are not just physical travels; they represent the inner struggles and experiences of characters as they face challenges that lead to personal and societal change.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

  1. In epic poetry, the journey often begins with a call to adventure, pushing the hero out of their comfort zone and into unknown territories.
  2. Epic journeys typically involve trials and tribulations that test the hero's resolve, character, and growth throughout the narrative.
  3. The conclusion of a journey in epic poetry frequently symbolizes not only physical return but also personal transformation and newfound wisdom.
  4. Journeying can also represent broader societal themes, such as cultural identity, morality, and the human experience within the epic narrative.
  5. Famous examples of journeys in epic poetry include The Iliad and The Aeneid, where characters embark on quests that reflect their inner struggles as well as historical events.

Review Questions

  • How does the concept of a journey enhance character development in epic poetry?
    • The concept of a journey enhances character development by placing heroes in challenging situations that force them to confront their fears, weaknesses, and values. Through trials faced during their travels, characters often undergo significant growth, emerging with new perspectives or skills. This transformation is essential to epic poetry as it reflects the universal themes of struggle and enlightenment that resonate with audiences.
  • Analyze how physical journeys in epic poetry parallel emotional or psychological journeys within the narrative.
    • Physical journeys in epic poetry often mirror emotional or psychological journeys by highlighting internal conflicts that characters experience alongside their external adventures. As characters face obstacles and challenges on their travels, these situations frequently trigger introspection and self-discovery. For example, while navigating perilous landscapes or confronting formidable foes, characters also grapple with their identity, purpose, and moral dilemmas, making their journey a multifaceted experience.
  • Evaluate the significance of the journey motif in shaping cultural narratives within epic poetry and its impact on modern storytelling.
    • The journey motif holds significant importance in shaping cultural narratives within epic poetry by illustrating collective human experiences such as struggle, resilience, and triumph over adversity. This timeless theme transcends generations and cultures, influencing modern storytelling across various media. In contemporary literature and films, heroes still embark on transformative journeys that resonate with audiences by exploring universal themes of growth and self-discovery, highlighting the enduring relevance of this motif.