Epode

Epode definition

Before we look at the 'epode' in more detail, we must define some preliminary concepts surrounding the topic. First, we need to know that the epode is one part of a traditional Greek ode.

There are many variations of the ode. However, it is the Pindaric ode that contains the epode we are looking at today.

Each section of the Pindaric ode usually consists of one poetic stanza, and the three combined parts make up a 'triad'. In ancient Greece, these odes were typically chanted aloud to an audience by a chorus.

Now that we've gone through the basic concepts, let's tie them all together by looking at a definition of an epode:

Let's look in more detail at the origin of the word 'epode' and explore how this ties into the structure of a typical Pindaric ode.

Origin of epode

The word 'epode' derives from the Greek word epōidós which means 'said after' or 'sung after'. This makes sense because the epode is the final part of the Pindaric ode and is sung after the strophe and antistrophe.

The name of each section of the Pindaric ode originates from the movement pattern of the chorus on stage. When the chorus chants the strophe (the turn), they move from right to left across the stage; while they are singing the antistrophe (the counter-turn), they travel back to the original side (left to right). Finally, the chorus stops in the centre of the stage to recite the final epode (after-song). The route taken may have looked something like this:

Fig. 1 - The chorus begins at the right of the stage, moving to the left (strophe) before travelling back to their original position (antistrophe). Then, they proceeded to centre stage to chant the epode.

The strophe and antistrophe are typically identical in structure. The poet is free to choose any rhyme pattern, meter, and rhythm they see fit, as long as they mirror those choices across both stanzas. In contrast, the epode has a unique structure and is typically shorter in length.

Let's move on and explore how the epode functions as part of the Pindaric ode.

Functions of epode

Alongside the strophe and antistrophe, the epode's traditional function was to celebrate great victories and extraordinary people. For example, Pindar created many odes revering winners from the Olympian (now Olympic) games. Here's a short excerpt from Pindar's ode revering 'Theron of Acragas' for his victory in the Chariot Race in 476 BCE.

Pindar reveres Theron, comparing the winner of the chariot race to a bulwark (defensive wall) and the choicest flower. This rich metaphorical language is typical of his odes, as is the celebratory tone he adopts. The Greek chorus sang beautiful verses like this to an audience and would have moved across the stage as they chanted them in unison.

The classic Pindaric ode was also frequently used in the opening song of Greek tragedies.

The function of the ode in Greek tragedies varies when compared to Pindar's victory odes. The chorus in Greek tragedies provides background information to the audience, summarises character backstories, and passes judgements on the action in a play. For this reason, the poet may use the strophe and antistrophe to present conflicting arguments. In this format, the epode could serve to resolve this argument with a dramatic conclusive statement.

Regardless of tone, the movements of the chorus on stage remained consistent in both traditional victory odes and tragedy plays. This could suggest that the theatrical element of the Pindaric ode was more important than the content.

Let's look in more detail at the significance of the epode and why it was an important part of the Pindaric ode.

Importance of epode

The epode differs from the strophe and the antistrophe because it has a different metrical structure and tends to be far shorter. The epode acts as a conclusion to the first two sections and gives the chorus a chance to make a final statement that the audience can reflect on. The ode could end with a rhetorical flourish, a bold statement, or a beautiful metaphor. Within a Greek tragedy, it could also resolve two conflicting arguments presented in the strophe and antistrophe.

Epode examples

Let's look at two important epode examples to put all we've learned into perspective.

Pindar's 'Olympic Ode XIII to Xenophon The Corinthian'

Let's take a closer look at the closing epode in C. A. Wheelwright's (1787-1858) 1846 translation of Pindar's 'Olympic Ode XIII to Xenophon The Corinthian' (464 BC).² In this ode, Pindar reveres Xenophon for his victory in the pentathlon and foot race.

Pindar honours Xenophon by exclaiming that he deserves more wreaths than any poet could count. He then closes the epode with a prayer to Jove, the god of sky and thunder, asking him to bless Xenophon with continued success and happiness. The elaborate imagery in this passage is customary of Pindar's odes; he frequently uses mythological and metaphorical language to make victorious athletes seem extraordinary. An epode containing a prayer is also customary in Pindar's odes. By including a prayer, Pindar switches the tone of the ode from a celebration of past achievements to wishing the athlete a successful future.

Thomas Gray's 'The Bard: A Pindaric Ode'

One notable English poet to have adapted the Pindaric structure is Thomas Gray. His poem, 'The Bard: A Pindaric Ode' (1757), tells the story of King Edward I and his victorious army returning from battle through the Welsh mountains. There, they encounter a Welsh bard who curses the King, invoking the ghosts of three of Edward's victims upon him.

Fig 2. - John Martin's (1789-1854) 1817 painting 'The Bard' is based on Thomas Gray's poem of the same name. It depicts the Welsh bard, high up in the mountains of Snowdonia, cursing the King and his entourage.

In the final epode, we see the bard satisfied with his work and confident in his triumph. He tells King Edward I that his fate is sealed, before plunging from the top of the mountain into the water below.

Gray's version of the epode is unusual, as it is longer than the strophe and antistrophe in the poem. However, the bard's final words of triumph and subsequent plunge into the roaring tide below create the thrilling, dramatic conclusion that we expect of the traditional Pindaric epode.