Is beowulf an epic? what sort of social order produces "epic" poetry? what values does the poem promote, and how does it promote them? what sorts of conflicts with or resistances to the ideology of epic can be expressed? what sorts are found within the poem itself?

Beowulf is in fact an epic due to the fact that it represents the story of a hero that is battling against all social and political odds in order to resist the corruption at hand, and bring about a more positive and prosperous ideology for his community and his people.