The Epigram: Controversies in Genre Studies

The wealth of old epigrams does not always correlate with the indications provided by researchers in genre studies, both contemporary or dating back to the Renaissance, when genre theories were being developed. Theorists of the genre agree that the epigram has no unique subject, rhythmization or means of expression. The lack of strict boundaries meant that collections of epigrams include works from other genres, including longer forms. There is no consensus on whether the epitaph, stemma and symbol are separate genres or rather types of epigrams. Nowaszczuk highlights the existing discrepancies to indicate the need for broader research on the epigram within genre studies. Such research would allow for more a clearer systematisation and more accurate analyses of our poetic heritage.