Question

What qualifies beowulf as an epic poem?

Answer 1

Epics often focus on single heroic figures. Epics often involve heroic quests, as in Beowulf’s journey to Denmark. An epic poem is often “encyclopedic,” in the sense that the poem reflects an enormous number of different aspects of the culture from which it springs. An epic poem often contains, within itself, other genres of poetry, such as the lyric.Epic is often closely related to history as a genre.Epics often arise out of oral traditions in poetry, as is certainly the case with Beowulf.Epics often involve interactions between heroes and gods. InBeowulf, the Christian God is not immediately present in the poem but is often mentioned and discussed.Epic poems are often lofty in their styles of language, as is certainly the case with Beowulf.Epic poems often use so-called “epic formulas” – that is, phrases that are repeated and that are used in a variety of contexts. Epic often features a certain amount of boasting, as when Beowulf is provoked, by Unferth, into boasting about his exploits as a youth.Epic poems often feature tragic deaths, as in the tragic death of Beowulf himself.