The epic genre is one of the oldest genres in literature the world over, but one which acquires new contexts and peculiarities in each age according to the problems to which the age brings mankind's attention. In this respect the 1960s and 1970s are considered a period of return to the epic genre in many countries. The new problems of the century seem to have given an impetus to the broader epic view. It is, then, worthwhile establishing what the characteristic features of the contemporary epic are, at least in general outline.