The Analysis and Comparison of the Themes of "Beowulf", "The Odyssey" and Other Related Epics

An epic poem is a long, narrative poem that is usually about heroic deeds and events that are significant to the culture of the poet. These poems tell tales of intense adventures and heroic feats. They often include cultural references to the time it was written and was a way for the people to spread their ideas and beliefs. Epic poems are very important when a person is trying to learn more about a certain culture or era in which the poem was written. Two of the most famous epic poems are Beowulf and The Odyssey. Although no two poems are exactly them same, Beowulf and The Odyssey do share a few similarities. Between Beowulf and The Odyssey, the most salient similarity they share is the way the monsters from the epics are symbolic and challenge

An epic is an extended narrative poem in elevated or dignified language, celebrating the feats of a legendary or traditional hero.   The main characteristics of an epic as a literary genre is that it is a long poem that tells a story, it contains an epic hero, its hero searches for immortality (but doesn't find it physically, only through fame), gods or other supernatural beings are interested and involved, and it delivers an historical message.  The Epic of Gilgamesh is classified as an epic because it fits all the characteristics of an epic as a literary genre.

After reading the stories of Gilgamesh and Achilles, I was better able to understand what an epic hero truly was. An epic hero is someone who is strong, courageous, successful in battle, values honor and glory, faces hardships, fights off those hardships, accepts challenges and achieves his goal. Gilgamesh and Achilles both display all of the above

After the first victory, Beowulf’s “comrades willingly go with him because of their confidence in his ability to lead them and to achieve their objectives” (Loughman). Beowulf becomes a role model not only for his thanes, but for the Danes of Heorot as well. Following defeat of Grendel’s mother, Hrothgar gives a sermon before the celebration honoring Beowulf begins. Hrothgar says “Beowulf, my friend, your fame has gone far and wide, you are known everywhere….forever you will be your people’s mainstay and your own warriors’ helping hand” (McArthur). King Hrothgar informs Beowulf of his significance to the Danes and how he serves as the backbone of his group of warriors.

In the epic poem, Beowulf, the main character, Beowulf, can be seen as one of the most prime and pure examples of an epic hero due to his almighty courage.

One difference that lies in the two epic heroes is how christianity is perceived through the epics. Gilgamesh and Beowulf both have biblical references in their quests, yet in Beowulf it can be seen more clearly. During Beowulf's journey he specifically prayed to the Gods for guidance in the battles with both Grendel and his mother. While in Gilgamesh the story contained a motif to Noah's Flood, and this leads to shaping Gilgamesh into a greater king because it gives him a story to tell. Another similarity in the epics in connection to christianity is they both use stories of the bible, Beowulf is seen as a kenning to Cane in the biblical story of Cain and Abel. Gilgamesh used

Thus muses Achilles, one of epic poetry's greatest heroes. Epic poetry, one of the earliest forms of literature, began as an oral narration describing a series of mythical or historic events. Eventually, these stories were written down and read aloud to an audience. Although the Epic of Gilgamesh was composed approximately fifteen hundred years prior to the Iliad, the heroes of both epics possess strikingly similar characteristics. Indeed,

Beowulf is an epic story that relates well to the time that it was introduced by having the stories of the epic battles and the defeats of the treacherous monsters that kept everyone entertained during this era. Not only does Beowulf represent the era well, but it also has very interesting characters, themes and symbols that help teach us lessons that are very much so needed in today's society.

What is an epic poem, and how does it differ from other kinds of poetry or storytelling?

An epic is a long, narrative poem that encompasses a hero or a heroine who is usually involved in an amazing battle between two forces. It includes forces that are not of the human world such as demons, angels, gods, and spirits. The epic of Beowulf is about a hero with superhuman strength that defeats the demon who torments the soldiers of the kingdom. In The Rape of the Lock, the heroine Belinda has a piece of her hair cut and stolen from her and the major battle is trying to get her lock of hair

The first epic characteristic evident in both epics is catalogs and genealogies. For instance, Book VIII of the Odyssey features a list of participants in the game (115-125) and the Iliad Book II features a catalog of ships (484-759).

Many Epics are also written the heroic couplet format. The heroic couplet is a poetic form in which there are two rhyming pair of lines in iambic pentameter. The poetics form was introduced in The Canterbury Tales and The Legend of the Good Women.

Epic poems are being interpreted as immense drawn-out stories which often encompass an emotional plot with a historical context. Epic stories also need to be written on a serious influential subject that requires an overall goal, which the protagonist needs to pursue and accomplish. Granted, while there are many modern epics, The Odyssey composed by Homer in the eighth century B.C, is indisputably one of the most famous and oldest surviving epics. Its plot is centered on Odysseus, warrior king of Ithaca who desperately undertakes an eight-year long journey in an effort to return home to his wife and family. A sequel to Homer’s Iliad, the Odyssey picks up, following the events of the Trojan War and the death of Achilles. Although there is no information about Homer himself, the oral formulaic performance theory suggests that these stories were composed verbally and passed on from generation to generation. In fact, the Odyssey and the Iliad were not written down for another two hundred years and as a result, there is room of debatable speculation on the originality of the text itself.

Many Epics display archetypal theory which means that characters, images or situations are repeated throughout history in different places of the world. Some believe humans were born knowing certain archetypes. This is shown when epics have the same general reoccurring themes, character and situations when there could not of been communication between cultures. This is shown in the Epic of Gilgamesh by N. K. Sanders and Odyssey by Homer, since they both have characteristics of archetypal theory.

The word “epic” ignites a multitude of reactions in the minds of literature lovers and passive readers alike. Some people may think of the slang version of this term while other may fondly remember the theater. However, when one is conscious of literary analysis and literature, they can always fall back to the genre of an epic poem. In literary terms, an epic poem is considered to be a lengthy, narrative poem that has a focus on the exploits of a hero and is full of immense amounts of style and figurative language. Normally, by following this hero throughout the poem, the readers are introduced to the alignment between the poem with a specific nation or national identity. Several characteristics of epic poetry lend to this concept, especially those found in both The Faerie Queene and Paradise Lost. Both epic poems focus on historical context and on the characteristics of a heroic journey, the scale of the setting, and divine intervention in order to establish a trend of English nationalistic and religious identity.