exploring the anxieties of modern life. By personalizing aspects of the

epic Albee has inverted many of its features to create satire. This

internalization pits individuals against each other and themselves. M. H.

Abrams's definition of epic, in his book "A Glossary of Literary Terms," is

used comparatively to demonstrate how Albee achieves satire.

Abrams's first definition of epic is the closest to which "Who's

Afraid of Virginia Woolf?" adhere- it is about a serious subject. The

seriousness of the play is developed through its language, which is not

elevated or formal as in a traditional epic, rather, it is crude and

intoxicated. When Nick and Honey arrive at George and Martha's place they

are sober and speak formally. Any hesitation they have comes from the

unusual situation they find themselves in. As they drink, Nick and Honey's

involvement in the conversation becomes more fluid and the remarks become

more poignant. This, in turn, increases the intensity of the insults

Unlike the sweeping grandeur on the epic, the setting of "Who's

conservative "New England college town" the uncontainable and relentless

and Martha is unfulfilled with the life and status she has. Why, then, are

drama is able to communicate a more contemporary set of feelings which

Some topics in this essay:
George Martha, Virginia Woolf, George Unlike, Honey Drunkenness, Literary Terms, George Martha's, Nick Honey's, george martha, Nick Honey, who's afraid, traditional epic, afraid virginia, virginia woolf, afraid virginia woolf, Who's Afraid, Edward Albee's, who's afraid virginia, abrams's definition epic, modern life, abrams's definition, traditional hero, definition epic, nick honey,