heroic tale
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
Noun: 1. A story of an adventure: A narrative, often from ancient or traditional literature, that recounts the daring exploits, journeys, and significant events in the life of a hero or heroic figure. It typically involves challenges, quests, and encounters with supernatural forces or formidable foes.
Usage
The term "heroic tale" is used to classify a specific genre of narrative. It describes a complete story centered on a hero's adventures. * Beowulf is a classic heroic tale from Old English literature. * The professor assigned an ancient Greek heroic tale for us to analyze. * Many myths from around the world can be categorized as heroic tales.
Advanced Usage
- As a literary category: The term is often used in academic or critical discussions to group similar narratives from different cultures, such as the , the , and the , under the umbrella of "heroic tales."
- In modern context: It can be applied metaphorically to a highly dramatized account of a real person's challenging experiences, though this is an extended, figurative use.
- The journalist's article read like a modern heroic tale of survival against all odds.
Variants and Related Words
- Epic (noun): A long, narrative poem recounting the deeds of a heroic figure, often of national or cultural importance. (An "epic" is a specific, formal type of "heroic tale.")
- Saga (noun): A long story of heroic achievement, especially a medieval Icelandic or Norwegian prose narrative. (A "saga" is a type of "heroic tale.")
- Legend (noun): A traditional story sometimes popularly regarded as historical but not verifiable, often featuring heroic figures. (Overlaps with "heroic tale," but may be shorter or less formalized.)
Synonyms
- Adventure story
- Heroic narrative
- Epic poem (for a specific poetic form)
Related Idioms and Phrases
- A tale of derring-do: An old-fashioned phrase for a story of bold and adventurous actions, very close in meaning to "heroic tale."
- The book is a thrilling tale of derring-do set on the high seas.