Epic Poem Essay Examples

378 total results

A Literary Analysis of the Epic Poem and the Tale of Beowulf (1385 words, 2 pages)

There are archetypal patterns in life. They reoccur and become familiar to people through all ages and ethnicities. Throughout history, few literary works have captivated audiences by incorporating these patterns. The epic Beowulf is one literary work that effectively incorporates timeless components. The epic poem relates the tale of Beowulf, ... Read More

A Literary Analysis of the Noble King in the Epic Poem Beowulf (575 words, 1 pages)

Beowulf A Noble King The epic poem Beowulf describes the noblest king of the Anglo-Saxon times, Beowulf. Beowulf is a man who demonstrates all the good qualities of a king, this can be seen by just looking at what he has accomplished. Beowulf is a man who was loyal, powerful, ... Read More

The Epic Poem ‘Beowulf’ Describes the Most Heroic Man of the Anglo-Saxon Times (716 words, 1 pages)

The epic poem Beowulf describes the most heroic man of the Anglo-Saxon times. The hero, Beowulf, is a seemingly invincible person with all the extraordinary traits required of a hero. He is able to use his super-human physical strength and courage to put his people before himself. He encounters hideous ... Read More

An Overview of the Heroes in the Epic Poem The Iliad by Homer (1984 words, 3 pages)

In the epic poem, The Iliad, Homer describes a social occasion in which character's values, the values of that character's culture and the themes those values develop can be derived. The funeral games, held by Achilles in honor of his late friend Patroclus, is a perfect example of such an ... Read More

A Comparison of the Epic Poem The Song of Roland and the Literature of Ywain (2756 words, 4 pages)

When comparing the epic poem of The Song of Roland to the romantic literature of Ywain, the differences between the early medieval period and the high medieval period become evident. Both The Song of Roland and Ywain depicts the societies from which each story derives its fundamental characteristics. Through close ... Read More

A Focus on the Heroic Man of the Anglo-Saxon Times in the Epic Poem “Beowulf” (972 words, 2 pages)

The epic poem Beowulf describes the most heroic man of the Anglo-Saxon times. The hero, Beowulf, is a seemingly invincible person with all the extraordinary traits required of a hero. He is able to use his super-human physical strength and courage to put his people before himself. He encounters hideous ... Read More

A Literary Analysis of the Epic Poem Beowulf Written in Old English by Christian Monks (799 words, 4 pages)

Beowulf The epic poem Beowulf, written in Old English by Christianmonks around 750 AD, is a wonderful adventure story about a warrior whokills ferocious monsters. The use of description and imagery enlivensthe story, making it possible for a reader to really see in his or hermind the characters and events. ... Read More

A Literary Analysis of the Epic Poem Beowulf and the Heroes in It (713 words, 1 pages)

Beowulf The epic poem Beowulf describes the most heroic man of the Anglo-Saxon times. The hero, Beowulf, is a seemingly invincible person with all the extraordinary traits required of a hero. He is able to use his super-human physical strength and courage to put his people before himself. He encounters ... Read More

A Literary Analysis of the Qualities of an Epic Hero in the Epic Poem Beowulf (621 words, 1 pages)

BEOWULF Did Beowulf truly obtain the qualities of an epic hero? In the epic poem Beowulf, Beowulf's character traits prove to be the depiction of an epic hero. Beowulf's traits of boastfulness, bravery and amazing strength are the proof of his heroism.Beowulf's boastfulness may not be the most convincing heroic ... Read More

A Literary Analysis of the Archetypal Patterns in the Epic Poem Beowulf (1321 words, 2 pages)

There are archetypal patterns in life. They reoccur and become familiar to people through all ages and ethnicities. Throughout history, few literary works have captivated audiences by incorporating these patterns. The epic Beowulf is one literary work that effectively incorporates timeless components. The epic poem relates the tale of Beowulf, ... Read More

A Literary Analysis of Tha Anglo-Saxons in the Epic Poem Beowulf (696 words, 3 pages)

The Anglo-Saxons living in the time of Beowulf did not believe in the afterlife. To them, the only way to experience life after death was to live on in the memories of others. One could fulfill this goal by being known for ones generosity, courage, and strength. Beowulf, the protagonist ... Read More

A Literary Analysis of the Deity in Beowulf the Epic Poem (617 words, 2 pages)

BEOWULF AS A CHRIST-LIKE FIGUREThe epic poem, Beowulf, recounts the tale of a man named Beowulf who sacrifices his own safety to save the Danes from two evil dragons. Then, years later, Beowulf risks his life yet again to save his own people from a dragon. Throughout the story, Beowulf ... Read More

A Literary Analysis of the Qualities of a Hero in the Epic Poem Beowulf (286 words, 1 pages)

BEOWULF IS A HEROBy definition, a hero is a man of exceptional quality. Exceptional quality does not begin to describe the hero that is Beowulf. Of the tale of the same name, Beowulf could be described better as a saint, or a savior. His self-imposed purpose in life is to ... Read More

A Literary Analysis of the Society in the Epic Poem Beowulf (1729 words, 7 pages)

Beowulf SocietyThe earliest known manuscript of Beowulf is thought to have been written in thetenth century, however, the poem had most likely been told as an oral tradition forcenturies before that. In fact, the poems events date back to the sixth century. However,because there is only one manuscript of Beowulf ... Read More

Echoes of Monstrosities in the Epic Poem Beowulf (1051 words, 2 pages)

Echoes of MonstrositiesEvery society has demons and monsters that the members of that society are fearful of. Those fears are only reflections of the society that are seen in that monster. In the long epic poem, Beowulf, there are three monsters that reflect aspects of Germanic warrior society. Grendel is ... Read More

A Literary Analysis of the Epic Poem the Odyssey by Homer (1067 words, 2 pages)

The Odyssey is an epic poem, which revolves around Odysseus and his journey home from the war at Troy. Throughout his travels he is met with many obstacles and adventures. There are times when he thinks he will never make it home. But through perseverance, faith, maturation and heroics, he ... Read More

A Comparison of the Characters of The Canterbury Tales’ the Knight and Beowulf from the Epic Poem Browulf (579 words, 2 pages)

The Canterbury TalesCharacterKnightBeowulfQuest- fights religious wars- fights for god- fights for the good of others- kills evil things- fights in order to have bragging right- fights for the good of othersSocietys View- most admired person of all the tales- seen as a hero- seen as boastful and overconfident- seen as ... Read More

The Description of the Heroic Man of the Anglo-Saxon Times in the Epic Poem Beowulf (714 words, 3 pages)

The epic poem Beowulf describes the most heroic man of the Anglo-Saxon times. The hero, Beowulf, is a seemingly invincible person with all the extraordinary traits required of a hero. He is able to use his super-human physical strength and courage to put his people before himself. He encounters hideous ... Read More

A Literary Analysis of the Main Characteristics of the Hero in the Epic Poem Beowulf (878 words, 4 pages)

In reading the epic poem of Beowulf, the main character, Beowulf, has thecharacteristics of an epic hero by showing skill and courage, enduring fame, and royalresponsibility . In the epic poem of Beowulf, Beowulf shows extraordinary and almostsuperficial skill and courage at the Slaying of Grendel, the Troll-Wife, and the ... Read More

Describing the Character of Beowulf in the Epic Poem “Beowulf” (659 words, 3 pages)

Beowulf is the strongest of the Geats -- greater and stronger than anyoneanywhere in this world (ll.110-111). Even though he is famous for his massivestrength, Beowulf has other attributes that are noticeable other than hisstrength. These attributes, arrogance, bravery, and a strong love for his peopleare what make Beowulf become ... Read More

An Analysis of the Topic of the Grendel in the Anglo-Saxon Epic Poem (762 words, 3 pages)

It is true that Grendel is monstrous. He is not only a deadly enemy to Hrothgarand Herot, but to the Geats in general. Grendel seems to take his only pleasurefrom assaulting Herot and destroying the warriors inside. He is a bane to allthose that live under Hrothgar's rule. They hate ... Read More

An In-depth Analysis of the Epic Poem “The Divine Comedy” (553 words, 3 pages)

"The Divine Comedy" is an epic poem brimmingwith information and eloquent literary devices. (The word "comedy" is usedhere in its classical sense - to denote a story which begins in suspenseand ends well.) The lengthy work combines Dante's vast knowledge of classicalLatin writers (Virgil, Ovid, Cicero, Seneca ... ) and ... Read More

A Summary of the Heroic Epic Poem “Beowulf” (907 words, 2 pages)

Beowulf SummaryBeowulf is a heroic epic poem, which takes place in the early 16th century. Beowulf has no known author but was translated by Burton Raffel. Some of the significant characters are Beowulf, Grendel, Hrothgar, and Wiglaf. This has a second person narrative point of view. In this story Beowulf ... Read More

A Character Analysis of the Epic Poem “Beowulf” (1000 words, 2 pages)

The Anglo-Saxon epic Beowulf is the most important work of Old English literature and is well deserved of the distinction. The epic tells the story of a hero a Scandinavian prince named Beowulf, who rids the Danes of the monster Grendel, a descendent of Cain, and of his exploits fighting ... Read More

An Analysis of the Relationship of Dido and Aeneas in the Aeneid, an Epic Poem by Virgil (1562 words, 3 pages)

Dido and AeneasThe Aeneid is considered as the single most important poem ever written and has continuously guided and inspired billions of readers. Its popularity today remains the same as it was back in the time when it was published. Virgil, a Latin poet, devoted the final 11 years of ... Read More

The Theme of Hospitality in The Odyssey, an Epic Poem by Homer (1517 words, 2 pages)

Throughout the book, The Odyssey, Homer uses a variety of settings to explore the theme of hospitality. Hospitality in the ancient world was very important. A visitor to a palace, would receive immediate hospitality, as the host can only presume they might be a God. Hospitality in The Odyssey included ... Read More

An Analysis of the Female Characters in The Odyssey, an Epic Poem by Homer (1014 words, 2 pages)

In The Odyssey by Homer, there were many great women that had conflicting personalities and adverse motives, but also they were alike. With these oppositions they helped Odysseus to get back home to Ithaca, whether they wanted to or not. These women from the novel that have opposing qualities, yet ... Read More

An Analysis of the Epic Poem Beowulf and the Fight Against the Dragon (1034 words, 2 pages)

Beowulfs author is unknown, as are his motives and inspiration for the creation of the poem. Written some four hundred years before the Norman conquests, it is comprised of three thousand, one hundred and eighty-two lines, dramatically reproducing the timeless struggle between good and evil, along with all the variations ... Read More

An Analysis of Aeneas as the Roman Hero in the Aeneid, an Epic Poem by Virgil (558 words, 1 pages)

The Greek and Roman spirit influenced the book Aeneid in many ways. Virgil made Aeneas' behavior such that he was fully qualified to be called a Roman hero. Aeneas reflected very few Greek traits. He was very much the "Roman hero."Greek heroes were very different from Roman heroes. Will Durant, ... Read More

Lord Byron’s Inspiration in the Epic Poem Childe Harold’s Pilgrimage (1576 words, 2 pages)

He wrote the poem, you see the sightsThere are two images of the Rhineland embedded into the popular consciousness. The first is of a fairytale land filled with gothic castles, fine wines, angry dragons, benign Teutonic maidens and lush green pastures. The second is of a popular destination for coachloads ... Read More