Which term denotes a long narrative about heroic deeds?

• A. Lyric
• B. Allusion
• C. Epic
• D. Allegory

Answer: (C)

A long narrative about heroic deeds is best described as an epic. An epic is typically a lengthy narrative (often a poem) that centers on a hero and their grand adventures, usually with stakes that affect a nation or culture. It’s characterized by a lofty, elevated style and features such as a vast setting, supernatural elements or gods, and extended passages called epic similes that heighten the sense of scale. This combination of scope, hero-focused action, and elevated language is what sets an epic apart from other forms.

In contrast, a lyric conveys personal emotion in a brief, subjective speaker’s voice; an allusion is simply a reference to something else within a text; and an allegory uses symbolic characters and events to convey a deeper moral or political meaning. None of these emphasize the long, sweeping narrative about heroic deeds in the same way an epic does.