Epic/heroic Conventions
This is an extensive list; not every epic has every characteristic.
1) long narrative poem
2) retelling important events in the life of a central hero who is usually seen as representative to his culture
3) opens with an invocation to the gods or muse of epic poetry
4) begins in medias res
5) catalogue of warriors
6) arming the hero
7) journey to the underworld
8) intervention of the gods in human endeavors
9) single combat
10) apotheosis
11) combination of original narrative with stock formulaic phrases
12) episodic
13) dactylic hexameter
14) elaborate similies
15) extended digressions
16) enhances our belief in the worth of human achievement and in the dignity and nobility of man
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