English Literature Exam Study Guide~Epic Conventions
Invocation of the Muse
Inspires
a work
a work
Epic Simile
An extended simile that is used typically in epic poetry to intensify the heroic stature of the subject
Epic Question
An overarching question to solve
In Medias Res
Beginning the story in the middle
Epic Hero
A character in an epic poem who is noble and brave.
~Beowulf
Epic Boasting
An epic hero boasting about their hero status
Descent into the underworld
The epic hero ALWAYS goes to the underworld at some point in the poem
Vast Settings
The location in which the poem takes place
Epic Conflict
The epic hero’s struggle against an obstacle or series of obstacles.