1) Epic (according to Aristotle) places the        emphasis on character and its development in a series of fairly restricted adventures.      

2) Thus epics voice the aspirations of large groups of people, races, nations.  They depict a single figure fighting against a force threatening to destroy that whole nation. People see the epic hero as a projection of their whole race.    

3) Epics concentrate on natural and single themes.           

Romance centers on a series of sensational episodes. 

4) Epics tend to humanize characters.                               

Romances are concerned with characters who are fantastic creations.

5) Epics are concerned with the development of character.                                                                

6) Heroes always have a good reason for fighting in epics (save the people).

7) Epic is totally masculine world.                         

Increasing importance of women. Actual change in social circumstances.

8) In general, epic values are Germanic.  

9) Settings in epic are related to reality. 

10) Governed by the heroic code (comitatus).                 

Governed by the chivalric code (humility, service, obedience to God and/or women).

11) Epics usually end in tragedy.                         

Idealized view of "self- realization." Therefore, romances tend to end happily, because if the hero comes to realize who he is, then everything in his romance world is put into order. 

12) In a very general way, epics are realistic.                       

13) Common subject of the epic is the situation.