I don't think anyone is questioning that Harry Potter is fantasy, so let's look at the definition of "epic."
Harry Potter isn't poetry (unless you want to call it free verse, I guess) so the definition that concerns us is the second one. The books are a chronicle of heroic deeds and achievements, so they are indeed epic.
To answer your other question, there is no reason why a series couldn't be both urban fantasy and epic fantasy, although I would not call the Harry Potter series urban.
ep·ic [ep-ik]
adjective Also, ep·i·cal.
1. noting or pertaining to a long poetic composition, usually centered upon a hero, in which a series of great achievements or events is narrated in elevated style: Homer's Iliad is an epic poem.
2. resembling or suggesting such poetry: an epic novel on the founding of the country.
3. heroic; majestic; impressively great: the epic events of the war.
4. of unusually great size or extent: a crime wave of epic proportions.
adjective Also, ep·i·cal.
1. noting or pertaining to a long poetic composition, usually centered upon a hero, in which a series of great achievements or events is narrated in elevated style: Homer's Iliad is an epic poem.
2. resembling or suggesting such poetry: an epic novel on the founding of the country.
3. heroic; majestic; impressively great: the epic events of the war.
4. of unusually great size or extent: a crime wave of epic proportions.
Harry Potter isn't poetry (unless you want to call it free verse, I guess) so the definition that concerns us is the second one. The books are a chronicle of heroic deeds and achievements, so they are indeed epic.
To answer your other question, there is no reason why a series couldn't be both urban fantasy and epic fantasy, although I would not call the Harry Potter series urban.
Is HARRY POTTER an epic fantasy?
- 29/08/2011 01:22:07 PM
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It quite obviously is.
- 29/08/2011 02:40:53 PM
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According to wikipedia...
- 29/08/2011 06:47:41 PM
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Er, that article specifically says that HARRY POTTER is epic (or at least 'high'
fantasy
- 29/08/2011 08:21:14 PM
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fantasy
- 29/08/2011 08:21:14 PM
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I think this shows well the limitations of filling things under umbrellas
- 30/08/2011 12:37:31 AM
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The tone of the books changes. Book 7? Sure. Book 2? Not so much. *NM*
- 30/08/2011 11:08:18 AM
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