| Sumario: | The article discusses the creative imitation in epic invocation. It seems that maintaining the tradition of classical epic invocation is more important to the poet Dante than purity of Christian theology. Indeed, a careful analysis of the invocations of Western epic poets reveals extensive imitation of predecessors, but it is a creative imitation alterating content, expanding scope and transforming purpose. Although modern readers have usually thought of the Homeric invocation as the opening prayer for the success of the poem as a whole, the presence of eight more invocations suggests that there must be other factors in play.
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