High Mimetic Thematic

High Mimetic Thematic works of literature can be often described as epic or dealing with fantastical heros and massive battles. Some good examples of these themes come from the literary works of Homer. These stories usually are built around epic events in a certain nation in which the story, and the events therein, are centered around a capital city. The most popular by far of Homer’s epic stories is that of The Iliad. There are two societies within this epic; the Trojans and the Greeks.

Like most high mimetic forms of literature, The Iliad centers around the nobility and gods of the time. The main characters in the plot are either of noble birth, great warriors, or are somehow related to the gods. In the tale, there is a squabble over the daughter of a Menelaus by the name of Helen. After Helen runs away with Paris to Troy, there is an all out war and many great battle are waged, and many a good men die. All of the battles within the text are epic in scale and most of the story is told in or around Troy.

The high mimetic theme usually involves a great nation that is in some sort of conflict, be that internal or external. Although the events in the story may be a little far-fetched, the majority of it is realistic and has less to do with gods and monsters than romanticism or myths. The main characters seem to be stronger than most men and of course contain a hint of nobility. Even Achilles was a “noble” character not only because he was a great warrior, but because it was said that he was the son of a god. The common man is usually not represented much at all in high mimetic themes because he is not noble and therefor does not contain the power to do epics things such as launch wars and battle gods. The nobility seem to be the most entertaining and powerful entities in this type of literature. The audience to the epic is somewhat looking down at the action that the author has played out below. The author merely conveys the events of the story in an epic and entertaining fashion.