By definition, an epic is a poem that celebrates a hero's deeds. Of course, Harry Potter is much too long to be a poem. ... Rowling, has all the characteristics as any traditional epic literary work and is a very exciting story for all ages. ... Another characteristic of an epic is how the hero's deeds determine the fate of a group of people. ... The characteristics of Harry Potter reflect timeless values such as courage and honor. ...

• Word Count: 1294
• Approx Pages: 5
• Grade Level: High School

In reading the epic poem of Beowulf, the main character, Beowulf, has the characteristics of an epic hero by showing skill and courage, enduring fame, and royal responsibility . ... The epic poem begins with the slaying of Grendel. ... Once again Grendel exemplifies the characteristics of an epic hero. ... All of the characteristic mentioned early prove the Beowulf was an epic hero. ... All these are characteristics of an epic hero, and that was what Beowulf was.... an epic hero ...

• Word Count: 873
• Approx Pages: 3
• Grade Level: High School

In reading the epic poem of Beowulf, the main character, Beowulf, has the characteristics of an epic hero by showing skill and courage, enduring fame, and royal responsibility. ... The epic poem begins with the slaying of Grendel. ... Once again Grendel exemplifies the characteristics of an epic hero. ... All of the characteristic mentioned early prove the Beowulf was an epic hero. ... All these are characteristics of an epic hero, and that was what Beowulf was an epic hero....

• Word Count: 813
• Approx Pages: 3
• Grade Level: High School

While containing the characteristics of an epic, Beowulf also has the elements of an elegiac and heroic poem. I believe this epic can be considered as a "heroic-elegiac poem-. An epic is defined as a "long narrative poem that relates the great deeds of a larger-than-life hero who embodies the values of a particular society."" Although this is found in Beowulf, the elements of an epic hero poem and an elegiac poem combined, more completely describe this piece of Anglo-Saxon literature. ... Combining the elements of an epic hero poem and a elegiac poem, it is seen how Beowulf is considered an ...

• Word Count: 343
• Approx Pages: 1
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

Language Analysis of Beowulf and Iliad: Beowulf is one of the oldest and important existing poems in the English language. ... It has been declared an ageless epic poem, because it continuously and clearly possesses various characteristics of an epic throughout this narrative. ... One very crucial characteristic of an epic is its hero. ... Beowulf perfectly exemplifies this characteristic of an epic hero. ... One characteristic that serves as a very important foundation for an epic poem is incorporating universal themes, such as goodness versus evil (good superhuman hero versus the wild s...

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Beowulf is a classic epic here of the early English literature. He shows all the characteristics of an great epic hero of the times. ... There is no charecter greater in this poem that shows the characteristics of a epic hero. ... For instants in the poem "Then he stepped to another still body clutched at a strong-hearted wakeful sleeper and was instantly seized himself claws bent back as Beowulf leaned up on one arm." ...

• Word Count: 185
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• Grade Level: High School

Homer, who was a blind bard, which is a minstrel who recited long poems about heroes of archaic time periods. In his epic, The Odyssey, he presents an epic hero that displays the qualities that are valued by the society from which he comes. Homer's hero, Odysseus, is often referred to throughout the epic, as "Laertes's son", and "raider of cities". ... It seems obvious that Homer's society must have insisted that their heroes have emotion as a characteristic. ... In Homer's Epic, The Odyssey, it's main character Odysseus set the highest standards of an epic hero....

• Word Count: 1140
• Approx Pages: 5
• Grade Level: High School

This epic poem certainly comes from a Christianized culture, yet never names either the pagan gods or Jesus. ... The monster in this story also has pagan characteristics. ... Beowulf is given many characteristics of believing in God himself. ... The Christian ideas in this epic poem are very clear and bring the story to a level of excellency. This epic poem is a story that includes both pagan and Christian elements, but it emphasizes more of the Christian ideas. ...

• Word Count: 672
• Approx Pages: 3
• Grade Level: High School

Metaphors provide a distinct characteristic as in line 30 describing terror as "darkness had dropped." ... In order to fight a supernatural being, one must have a superhuman power which brings us to another characteristic of epic poetry. ... In a heroic epic poem, the most important element must as always and sometimes is the hero himself or herself. To be classified as a hero, one of the most important characteristic that must be included is devotion to duty and have a worth cause. ... Having all the elements mentioned, Beowulf holds true to it's title as a heroic ep...

• Word Count: 548
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• Grade Level: High School

An epic is a long narrative poem that celebrates a heroes deeds. ... The Anglo Saxons also wrote poems such as "The Seafarer and "The Wanderer. ... A second characteristic of Beowulf is his honor. ... The final characteristic of Beowulf is his faithfulness. ... An epic is a story about a hero in which definitely is Beowulf. ...

• Word Count: 626
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• Grade Level: High School

As in the epic poem, the gods and goddesses interfere on behalf of Achilles in many scenes of the epic to either assist him or destroy him and his army. ... The next contrast that can be made between the epic poem and Herodotus' work is how god-like the Greek leaders are portrayed by each author. ... The way Homer describes Achilles in his epic poems is to be a proud warrior who considers himself to be undefeatable and even confronts gods. ... It is important to understand that The Iliad was an epic poem in its originality, and written as one as its genre. ... Herodotus wants to present a...

• Word Count: 1462
• Approx Pages: 6
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

The Epic of Gilgamesh is an ancient poem from the Mesopotamian Era that tells the story of two companions: Gilgamesh, the powerful and tyrannical demigod who rules as the King of Uruk, and Enkidu, a feral man who is created as an equal for the king by the gods, lifted out of nature and civilized by the touch of woman. ... The Epic of Gilgamesh stresses that these cosmos involve three main categories of beings: animals, humans, and Gods. ... Through Gilgamesh and Enkidu, it is demonstrated how human life is the best to have in the cosmos: humans share both god and animal characteristics. ... Th...

• Word Count: 1399
• Approx Pages: 6
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

During the rule of the first Roman Emperor, Augustus, a man by the name of Publius Vergilius Maro (known as Virgil in English) wrote one of the most widely read epic poems. ... Parallels can be seen in the shield descriptions of the two classic epic poems. ... This makes Aeneid characteristically Virgilian. ... Therefore, the shield seems to be addressing the present state of the epic poem. ... By analyzing the shield scenes of the two epic poems, the Iliad and the Aeneid, many similarities as well as differences can be distinguished. ...

• Word Count: 806
• Approx Pages: 3
• Grade Level: High School

What defines an epic poem is the hero portrayed in the poem, the great odds that he overcomes, and the deeds that he accomplishes. ... A third characteristic that the three medieval heroes, Beowulf, Sir Gawain, and Sir Lucan, have in common is the desire to battle the forces of evil and protect those in need of security. ... The act of defending your king or those who are in need is a very chivalrous characteristic that each of these characters present. Although Beowulf, Sir Gawain, and Sir Lucan all commonly possess the characteristic of loyalty, there are also many differences amongst t...

• Word Count: 1346
• Approx Pages: 5
• Grade Level: High School

Beowulf and Sir Gawain and the Green Knight Honor and courage are the supporting characteristics of an exceptional hero. ... While they display many of the same characteristics they also differ in many ways. ... In the epic poems of Sir Gawain and The Green Knight and Beowulf, these stories show many similarities. ... Beowulf is an epic poem featuring the main character, Beowulf, as an incredible hero who can defeat anyone to keep his people safe. ... In these two epics there is an enormous difference in the mentality of the heroes. ...

• Word Count: 756
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• Grade Level: High School

The worlds first epic that deals with death or after life. An epic is a long narrative poem or poetry in lofty style the achievements and adventures of a hero. When we think of the Epic of Gilgamesh its more on the heroic character or style. ... Gilgamesh displayed beauty, strength, knowledge, courage, determination, will and the ability to display many more characteristics. ... The sum of the Epic of Gilgamesh is the pursuit of everlasting life (immortality). ...

• Word Count: 430
• Approx Pages: 2
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: High School

The Heroic Code In the epic poem "Beowulf", written by an unknown author, there are many examples of the heroic code. ... Beowulf exemplifies several characteristics of the heroic code such as fair fighting, equal weapons, and showing loyalty to the ones he is in debt to and to his people. Understanding the ideas of the heroic code found in this epic poem will help to further understand the societies of the Anglo-Saxon time period that this story was written in. ... Another point, showing loyalty to his people and the people that he is in debt to, is exemplified several times throughout th...

• Word Count: 613
• Approx Pages: 2
• Grade Level: High School

Throughout the epic, Beowulf in many ways exhibited all the qualities and characteristics needed to be a true hero. Many Old English poems glorified a real or imaginary hero, and tried to teach the values of bravery. ... Beowulf was written in Old English as an epic poem. ... Beowulf is the prime example of an epic hero. ... Beowulf is most definitely an epic hero of epic proportions, and a hero of the ages. ...

• Word Count: 1723
• Approx Pages: 7
• Grade Level: High School

Yet by exposing these foibles "through characteristics of the sylphs rather than of Belinda herself" Pope is fulfilling the workings of satire, showing us a society obsessed with superficial splendour, class and social status. ... When we read this poem in its entirety, it seems clear that whilst the original purpose of the poem may hold true, Pope certainly viewed his poem as an "adventitious vehicle for satire" . ... It is interesting that one of the truly outstanding satirical poems of the Augustan age has also been described as the "generic model" for the Augustan mock epic. As the term ...

• Word Count: 2068
• Approx Pages: 8
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

As the name indicates, the Mock-Epic is a literary form that ridicules the "classical epics." It does so by using characteristics of the classical epic; the invocation of a deity, a regular statement of theme, the division of the work into books and cantos, ostentatious speeches, battles and supernatural machinery; to reveal the absurdity of a certain subject. ... These sylphs represent Meddling Gods and Goddesses that exist in most epic poems; Pope diminishes the idea of these characters by choosing to make them appear as small, and almost insignificant creature. ... Canto IV continues to mak...

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In the epic poem Beowulf, the central figure, Beowulf, shows certain characteristics of an epic hero such as ethical ways, strength, courage and loyalty to his people. Beowulf forces himself to portray the epic hero because he feels that it is his duty to protect his people and maintain Herot's tranquil atmosphere. ... Beowulf shows his ethical characteristic when he says he will not use weapons in the battle against Grendel, unless Grendel will use them also, no matter how strong he may be. ... Courage is another character trait of Beowulf, the epic hero. ...

• Word Count: 498
• Approx Pages: 2
• Grade Level: High School

Beowulf exemplifies many characteristics of a good king, one of them being courtesy. ... Along with his display of courtesy, Beowulf demonstrations immense pride in himself, another characteristic of a great king as well as a characteristic displayed in the Germanic heroic code. ... This act inflated Beowulf's pride as well as the act of killing Grendel's mother later in the epic. ... The epic Beowulf opens up with "So. ... Beowulf personifies the characteristics of courtesy, pride, loyalty and courage in many instances throughout the poem, which ultimately proves him worthy of ...

• Word Count: 1469
• Approx Pages: 6
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: High School

Homer's epic poem The Odyssey was written after his Iliad which told the tales of the Trojan War. ... Incorporated into The Odyssey are many current-day characteristics of man including a constant dependence on others, the presence of a greater vision, or lack there of, and the essence of a sensitive side behind courage and pride. ... Athena reassured Odysseus throughout the epic poem saying "I am a god and will protect you to the end, through all your toils" (196). ...

• Word Count: 396
• Approx Pages: 2
• Grade Level: High School

Homer's epic poem The Odyssey was written after his Iliad which told the tales of the Trojan War. ... Incorporated into The Odyssey are many current-day characteristics of man including a constant dependence on others, the presence of a greater vision, or lack there of, and the essence of a sensitive side behind courage and pride. ... Athena reassured Odysseus throughout the epic poem saying "I am a god and will protect you to the end, through all your toils" (196). ...

• Word Count: 396
• Approx Pages: 2
• Grade Level: High School

With a mastermind of creativity, John Gardner successfully retells the classic epic poem, "Beowulf." ... "Beowulf" is an epic poem that was originally told between the eighth and eleventh centuries. It is the first surviving epic to be written in the English language. ... "Grendel," published in 1970, was the parallel to the epic poem "Beowulf" from the monsters point of view. ... But Grendel shows human characteristics when he doesn't kill Unferth and Wealtheow even though he has the chance. ...

• Word Count: 1139
• Approx Pages: 5
• Grade Level: High School