This document defines an epic as a long narrative poem about the adventures of a legendary hero that reflects the values of their culture. It describes common elements of epics such as an epic hero who embodies courage and virtue and goes on a long, dangerous quest where they perform valorous deeds and receive divine intervention to aid great historical or mythological events. Examples of folk epics composed through oral tradition include Beowulf and Gilgamesh, while later literary epics were written by individual authors like Homer's Iliad and Odyssey. Epics also share certain conventions in their characteristics and structure.

1. EPICS

2. EpicLong narrative poemAdventures of legendary heroThe hero’s accomplishments reflect the values of his/her culture

3. Elements of the EpicEpic HeroHeroic QuestValorous DeedsDivine InterventionGreat Events

4. Epic HeroLarger-than-lifeTypically NobleCourageous, SkilledVirtuous, GoodFights Evil

5. Heroic QuestLong, Dangerous JourneyProves HeroismWins Honor and RenownAids Others

6. Valorous DeedsDemonstrate Hero’s Courage, Strength, or VirtueMake up most of the ActionBattles Evil ForcesSaves Others

7. Divine InterventionHero receives Help: God/Supernatural Force takes interest in Hero’s Quest

8. Great EventsHistorical/Mythological events as Backdrop for EpicE.g.: The Iliad, Trojan War

9. Folk EpicsOral TraditionWritten down long after first composedExamples:Beowulf (Anglo-SaxonGilgamesh (Sumerian)

10. Literary EpicsWritten by individual authorsExamples:Iliad and Odyssey by HomerAeneid by VirgilDivine Comedy by Dante AlighieriParadise Lost by John Milton

11. Epic ConventionsShared Literary CharacteristicsAn Epic Usually…States subject/purposeMuse helps tell storyPlot begins in middleSerious toneLong speechesLists of battles, weapons, royal gifts