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WAEC Literature in English 2013 Objective — Question 2

Question 2 of 45 from the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) Literature in English 2013 Objective paper, with the correct answer and a full explanation.

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A long and serious narrative about heroic characters is a/an

  • A. burlesque
  • B. ballad
  • C. epicCorrect
  • D. elegy

Explanation

Epic is a long and serious narrative poem about heroic characters. In other words, epic is a long narrative poem which deals with heroic deeds. An epic is written to celebrate heroes and to accentuate their great deeds. The tone of epic in most cases is elegiac, and the language is elevated. Epic also teaches moral lessons and involves supernatural characters. An example of epic is 'Beowulf', a Scandinavian poem by an anonymous writer. Other examples are 'Epic of Sundiata' and 'Shaka the Zulu'.

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