Final answer:
Epic poetry is a narrative form that often uses elevated language and is traditionally long, typically extending over one-thousand lines. It portrays the deeds and adventures of legendary or heroic figures, often including a wide array of actions and spanning a considerable timeframe.
Step-by-step explanation:
Traditionally, the genre of epic poetry showcases several key characteristics. First and foremost, it is narrative in form, telling a story of heroes and their exploits. Epic poems utilize elevated language and are known for their grand and formal diction, which elevates the subject matter. Additionally, epic poems are typically long, often exceeding one thousand lines, and are not composed of several small poems but are usually lengthy continuous works. The narratives cover a wide range of actions and events, potentially including gods or supernatural elements, and have a broad scope in terms of geography and time.
The oldest examples, such as Homer's 'The Iliad' and 'The Odyssey', exemplify these characteristics. These works are long and narrative, use elevated language, and cover many events, offering insights into the values and practices of ancient Greek culture. They are prime examples of epic poetry containing elements such as Reversals of the Situation, Recognitions, and Scenes of Suffering, all contributing to their complex and engaging stories.