Özet:

Epic narratives, the projection of warrior cultures in the past in fiction, display certain features in order to be defined as a the genre of epic. The epic plot revolves around bold and almost superhuman heroes and unfolds through the maintenance and expression of warrior cultural codes. As enforcers for the ruling class of noblemen, warriors are required to obey their sovereign under any circumstances whilst in turn the sovereign is expected to reward his thanes generously with booty, lands and other spoils of war. The heroes of epic fiction, which recounts an era predating modern systems of justice, have to protect the tribe from its enemies, both within and outside their societies, even against supernatural beings such as dragons and giants. Every victory in the face of death is celebrated with feasts, which symbolize a kind of existential joy. Various oral epics are present in world literature, that date back to ancient history and the middle ages. Although these narratives have some common features, as required by the conventions of the epic genre, there are also certain cultural differences between them. This paper, aims to analyse The Book of Dede Korkut, one of the most substantial epic works in the Turkish literary tradition and Beowulf, one of the the most recognized examples of old English literature with a comparative approach. The Book of Dede Korkut consists of thirteen mini epic narratives, each one promoting a different hero. These are linked by the sage Dede Korkut, the most esteemed character of Oghuz society, who appears in every narrative and thus brings these narratives together. On the other hand, in narrating the travails of various Anglo-Saxon tribes, Beowulf develops around one individual hero. These two epic narratives reveals numerous details about Oghuz and Anglo-Saxon societies regarding issues such as marriage, family structures, and gender relationships.

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