An extended narrative recounting events, actions, travels, and adventures of a hero. Originally, an epic was a poem. Modern epics also occur in other genres.
Characteristics and conventions of epics include:
1. Main character is larger than life, often a national hero or legendary figure.
2. Failings as well as virtues of the hero are included.
3. Battles or other scenes of conflict show hero’s superhuman strength.
4. Setting is broad, covering nations, worlds, even outer space.
5. Episodes can relate to the history or legends of a people.
6. Gods, goddesses, or other supernatural characters play a role.
7. Various adventures form a cohesive whole, with a central theme.
8. Epic begins with a statement of the theme.
9. Introduction includes an invocation to a muse or other deity.
10. Story begins in the middle of the action.
11. Catalogs, lists.
12. History and description of important object, often a weapon. How it was made, who made it, etc.
13. Long, formal speeches, often interrupting the action.
14. Boasts.
15. Journey to the underworld.
16. Number 3.
17. Previous episodes are repeated.