10 Characteristics of an Epic Poem

10 Characteristics of an Epic Poem

5. Epithets

2. Vast Setting

Epithets, or descriptive phrases, are common in Beowulf. For example, "In the roadstead rocked a ring-dight vessel, ice-flecked, outbound, atheling's barge" (Beowulf 6). The words ring-ding and ice-flecked describe the water. Using a word like cold would not have the same effect at these words that the authors chosen words. Epithets give more depth and meaning to objects the author is describing.

Epics provide a vivid description of the setting. This gives the audience an overview of where the story is taking place and where all the components of the story are. The author of Beowulf describes the setting by writing, "how the Almighty made the earth, fairest fields enfolded by water, set, triumphant, sun and moon for a light to lighten the land-dwellers, and braided bright the breast of earth with limbs and leaves" (Beowulf 8). This shows the landscape of the part of Scandinavia that the epic takes place. The description gives the reader a sense of the layout of the land and can aid in helping the reader understand parts of the plot better.

6. Epic Catalogue

1. In Medias Res

9. Hero that Embodies Values and Morals

Epics contain epic catalogues which are long lists of people or places. In Beowulf an example of an epic catalogue is, "Now Beowulf bode in the burg of the Scyldings, leader beloved... till awoke an heir, haughty Healfdene... children four:

Heorogar, then Hrothgar, then Halga brave; and I heard that -- was -- 's queen, the Heathoscylfing's helpmate dear" (Beowulf 6-7). This explains the people in the story in one sitting instead of introducing them as they are mentioned in the story.

Epics begin with in medias res which is in the middle of the action where flashbacks fill in missing information. In Beowulf, the epic does not begin in medias res. It starts by describing Beowulf by saying, "Now Beowulf bode in the burg of the Scyldings, leader beloved, and long he ruled in fame with all folk, since his father had gone away from the world, till awoke an heir, haughty Healfdene, who held through life, sage and sturdy, the Scyldings glad" (Beowulf 6). This is simply describing Beowulf's role as opposed to an action filled beginning. This is not a flashback, either. Beowulf may not begin with in medias res but it is still considered an epic poem.

7. Long, Formal Speeches

Epics include long, formal speeches. In Beowulf, a long speech starts off by saying, "What a deal hast uttered, dear my Unferth, drunken with beer, of Breca now, told of his triumph" (Beowulf 20). This was when Unferth told Beowulf that he killed his partner. Beowulf replied with a long speech telling the truth and calling him a liar. Speeches are included for effect.

The hero of an epic embodies values and morals of that time period and is portrayed as a good person. An example is, "Grendel now,

monster cruel, be mine to quell in single battle!" (Beowulf 22). Beowulf wants to fight Grendel to help Hrothgar and is doing the right thing. This is glorified by Hrothgar and his kingdom.

4. Statement of the Theme

3. Invocation to a Muse

Epics also have a statement of the theme. This means the story directly says its message. Beowulf also does not include a statement of theme. Again it begins by saying Beowulf's authority over the land, "Now Beowulf bode in the burg of the Scyldings, leader beloved, and long he ruled in fame with all folk, since his father had gone away from the world, till awoke an heir, haughty Healfdene, who held through life, sage and sturdy, the Scyldings glad" (Beowulf 6). Clearly, there is no statement of theme because we can not conclude a theme from the beginning of the story, therefore there is no statement of theme.

At the beginning, epics also include an invocation to a muse, which is a calling on the gods to help tell the story. Like in medias res, Beowulf does not have an invocation to a muse. Beowulf does not focus heavily on religion, so it is not surprising that it does not ask a god for a help to recite the story. Beowulf begins by saying, "Now Beowulf bode in the burg of the Scyldings, leader beloved, and long he ruled in fame with all folk, since his father had gone away from the world, till awoke an heir, haughty Healfdene, who held through life, sage and sturdy, the Scyldings glad" (Beowulf 6). The epic begins by describing Beowulf's authority over the land. Most of the time, the Greek epics are the ones that include an invocation to a muse since they are heavily reliant on the gods. Although Beowulf does not include this element, it is still a successful epic.

8. Divine Intervention

Works Cited

10. Hero Descending Into the Underworld

"Beowulf.” University of Virginia Library, Internet Archive, 13 Sept. 2008,

https://bit.ly/2JpLpxm 8 Jun 2018.

Divine intervention of human affairs brings a religious aspect to an epic. In Beowulf an example of this is, "Life would have ended for Ecgtheow’s son,under wide earth for that earl of Geats,had his armor of war not aided him, battle-net hard, and holy God wielded the victory, wisest Maker. The Lord of Heaven allowed his cause; and easily rose the earl erect" (Beowulf 65). This is an example of divine intervention because in Beowulf's battle against Grendel's mother God does not let him die and spares his life. This is used for effect or when the character is trapped in a situation.

In epic poems, a hero is depicted descending into hell. That is common in more religious cultures, like Greek or Roman. The closest example to this in Beowulf is, "From his bosom fled his soul to seek the saints’ reward" (Beowulf 84). This is when Beowulf dies after being poisoned by the dragon. It does not depict him going into the underworld but it does mention his soul leaving his body after death. This characteristic is used to show the powers of the hero -- not everybody can descend into the underworld.