THE EPIC POETRY.

An epic or heroic poem is:

• A long narrative poem;
• On a serious subject;
• Written in a grand or elevated style;
• Centered on a larger-than-life hero.

Epics also tend to have the following characteristics:

• An opening in medias res;
• An invocation to the Muse;
• A concern with the fate of a nation or people;
• The intervention of supernatural figures, who are interested in the outcome of the action (the system of gods, demons, angels, and such is often called machinery);
• Extended similes, generally called epic similes;
• Long catalogues, whether of ships, characters, or places;
• Extensive battle scenes;
• A few stock episodes, including a visit to the underworld.

In media res:  It usually describes a narrative that begins, not at the beginning of a story, but somewhere in the middle — usually at some crucial point in the action.

Similes: An explicit comparison of two things, usually with the word "as" or "like." When you say "Reading D. H. Lawrence is like having teeth pulled."

WHO WAS BEOWULF?

Follow the link to know more about the origins of Beowulf and the story of this epic poem.
When you finish, take a look at the scene of an adapted film on Beowulf story. Relate what happens and the different characters you can see.


Beowulf

Scene of Beowulf and Grendel