Which of the following describes the structural convention of starting an epic narrative 'in medias res'?
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Correct answer: Opening in the middle of the action, with earlier events filled in via flashbacks
Starting 'in medias res' (Latin for 'into the midst of things') is a foundational convention of classical epics, famously seen in Homer's *Iliad* and *Odyssey*. Instead of starting from the absolute chronological beginning, the narrative drops the reader into a critical midpoint of the crisis. The background story and preceding conflicts are then gradually revealed through character monologues, dreams, or flashbacks.
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