Sawyer 1
Wes Sawyer
Mrs. Thomas
English I Honors
11 January 2011
Epic Essay
An epic is a long narrative poem which describes the exploits of a larger than life
hero. Beowulf is based on a man named Beowulf. The Epic of Gilgamesh is based on a
man known as Gilgamesh. The Odyssey is based on a man known as Odysseus.
All epics include a hero that does something larger than life. A hero is defined as
a larger than life figure. Odysseus is a hero because he goes on a quest known as a hero’s
quest and fought his way back home after ten years. Beowulf is a hero because he defeats
Grendel, Grendels mom, and a dragon for Geats. Some examples of heroes from movies
are Spiderman, Superman, and Batman. Odysseus is a hero because he shows three traits,
bravery, courage, and determination. He is also considered a hero because he
accomplishes things like tricking a Cyclops, completing his heroes quest, and he beat
Poseidon.
The Odyssey is a epic because it is a long narrative poem. It includes a hero,
Odysseus, who is the larger than life figure. It also includes a hero’s quest. The quest
Odysseus goes on to get back home after ten years due to Poseidon’s anger at him for
taking out the Cyclops eye.