The document discusses the characteristics of epics. Epics are long narrative poems that tell stories about the heroic deeds and adventures of larger-than-life characters through fantastical settings and events. They aim to inspire readers through embedded beliefs, customs, and ideals. Epics originated from ancient Greek and Spanish oral traditions and served to pass down cultural history and values to new generations. Examples of folk epics in the Philippines include the Ilocano epic Biag ni Lam-ang and the Visayan epic Maragtas.