Beowulf, an Epic Example The story Beowulf, an oral tradition told several times is, for the most part, an epic poem. An epic is a genre of classical poetry originating in Greece. It contains universal themes, it is focused on the exploits of a hero and/or demigod, it starts in medias res, which means it starts in the middle of some type of action, and many more characteristics to make Beowulf an epic poem. Beowulf is an example of an epic because the narrative starts in medias res, which means in the middle of a part of action. The start of the poem started in the middle of the party scene, “A powerful monster, living down/ in the darkness, growled in pain, impatient/ as day after day the music rang/ loud in that hall, the harp’s
