(_γ_) The combination equivalent to the absorption by modern versification of the older system. The significance of the identical repetition of the same time-measure. Modern imitation of sapphics and alcaics based on a contradiction] III. The Several Generic Types of Poetry Introduction and Division of Subject A. Epic Poetry 1. General character of Epic poetry (_a_) Epigrams and Gnomes (_b_) Philosophical didactic poems, Cosmogonies and Theogonies (_c_) The genuine Epopaea [(_α_) The saga, the bible of a folk. Not every national bible can rank as Epos. Greeks possess no ancient religious books resembling Hindoo literature (_β_) Not necessarily composed in the heroic time itself. Homer. Views expressed which belong to earlier times (_γ_) Position of the epic poet. His work a free creation. He must feel at home in the world he depicts. Objective independence of composition. The work of one artist] 2. Particular Characteristics of true Epos (_a_) The general World-condition of the Epos [(_α_) A positive social state conjoined to primitive simplicity. Intuitive sense of right the support of moral order. Vital human association with nature and particular objects possessed. Heroic condition, _e.g.,_ that of free individuality. Examples. Expresses entire horizon of national condition (_β_) The mirror must be of one particular people. The Hellenic spirit in Homer. A foreign locale not necessarily prejudicial to artistic effect. The remoteness to present ideas of the "Niebelungen Lied" (_γ_) Main event of poem must be a deliberately conceived purpose. It must imply collisions. The belligerent condition most pertinent. The Odyssey not only an exception. Courage the fundamental interest. Justification of such attitude] (_b_) The individual Epic action [(_α_) Must be one of individual vitality. Must appropriate form of an event, and the happening of such. Analysis. Problem of an absolute Epos. Mere biography not most complete subject-matter. "The Divine Comedy" only partially an exception (_β_) Question of human personality implied. Epic character must be a totality. Achilles, the Cid, and other heroes, discussed. Circumstances as active as persons. Illustrations (_γ_) The form under which the intrinsic significance of the occurrence proclaims itself, whether as ideal Necessity or disclosed spiritual forces. Destiny. What it defines. General tone of sadness in the Epic. Different modes of appearance. Poems of Ossian, and others. Loss of original freshness in Latin poetry. Virgil] (_c_) The Epos as unified totality