Epics and Epic Heroes

Paper Summary:

This paper attempts to define an epic and an epic hero by looking at typical characteristics exhibited by epic heroes and by examining classic epics and the main characters from these stories. The paper looks at the characters of Odysseus, Sir Gawain, and Beowulf to determine what characteristics these heroes have in common, thus defining an epic hero.

From the Paper:

"Epic is probably one of the most fascinating forms of ancient narratives and its contribution to the growth and evolution of literature cannot be overestimated. To seek a clear definition of an epic would be a futile attempt since there appears to be lesser consensus on its definition than we have on tax cuts today. Philosopher, writers and oral masters since the times of Aristotle to Seamus Heaney have argued about various critical features of an epic, and while all agree it's a long narrative eulogizing the heroic deeds of the protagonists, there appears to be no agreement among on a clear definition that could highlight other essential features of epic narrative. Roughly epic is a term used by historians for "a number of works belonging to the earlier Middle Ages, and to the medieval origins of modern literature. "Epic" is a term freely applied to the old school of Germanic narrative poetry, which in different dialects is represented by the poems of Hildebrand, of Beowulf, of Sigurd and Brynhild". (Ker: 3)"

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