Need a basic concept about some well know literary works explained

[Yulehesays]

As far as I'm aware, The Odyssey by Homer and The Divine Comedy by Dante are epic poems, correct? SO for the English speaking reader they were converted into novels? If so, did they not lose their form completely? I have read The Odyssey but not the Divine Comedy

[JCamilo]

Yes, they do. Poem is a form, so, when they are in prose other aspects must be explored. Specific Epic Poetry as those two, have also elements that do not suit in prose. Irreleant if they are for english readers. Also, there is plenty of english versions in verses that are quite good, and preserve much of the original, because even from homer to virgil there is something lost, or, Dante work has several elements that are not present in Homer, like the Odyssey proximity to oral tradition or a different "editorial" history.

[Yulehesays]

Yes, they do. Poem is a form, so, when they are in prose other aspects must be explored. Specific Epic Poetry as those two, have also elements that do not suit in prose. Irreleant if they are for english readers. Also, there is plenty of english versions in verses that are quite good, and preserve much of the original, because even from homer to virgil there is something lost, or, Dante work has several elements that are not present in Homer, like the Odyssey proximity to oral tradition or a different "editorial" history.

So is the Divine Comedy available to read in novel form just like The Odyssey?

[JCamilo]

Well, the first version of the Comedy I read was in prose (not english however) but I am sure there will be some prose english version of the comedy.