All epics, a type of literary composition that shows similarity in a narrative poem, can have different story lines, but the one thing most epics have in common is the hero. A hero is a figure of great importance that possesses many qualities; for example, bravery, strength, and determination. The h...

The Iliad is the quintessential epic. It is full with gods, goddesses, heroes, war, honor, and glory. However, for just a short while near the very conclusion, Homer avoids all of those epic qualities. The banquet scene in Book XXIV is the most touching, the most "human" scene in the entire poem...