Quote by Lascelles Abercrombie
That is to say, epic poetry has been invented many times and independently but, as the needs which prompted the invention have been broadly similar, so the invention itself has been.
Summary
This quote suggests that epic poetry has been created multiple times by different individuals, but the reasons behind its creation have been similar across cultures. It implies that the motivation and purpose for inventing epic poetry have remained consistent throughout history, resulting in similar forms and styles of poetic expression.