1. Notes on The Epic

3.  Superhuman strength, craftiness, confidence  Helped and harmed by interfering gods  Represents ideals and values considered admirable by his culture  Emerges victorious from dangerous situations

4. A long journey full of complications such as:  Strange creatures  Divine intervention (gods)  Large-scale events  Treacherous weather

5.  Fantastic or exotic lands  More than one nation is involved

6. Characters, situations, and images that show up in all different cultures and time periods:  Sea monster  Temptress  Buried treasure  Suitors’ contest  Epic hero  Loyal servant (loyal retainer)

7. The story reflects universal ideas/concerns like:  Courage  The fate of a nation  A homecoming  Beauty  Loyalty  Life and death