I was playing Skyrim the other day and I was getting into the main quest and I noticed some things about the whole story that make it hold many qualities for it to actually be considered an epic.
The components of an epic can be narrowed down into several categories that most epics hold in their both their stories and their heroes. I will compare Dovahkiin to Beowulf, a famous epic hero, to prove my point. First most epic heroes have uninspiring beginnings and do not begin as the hero that they end as. Beowulf was not a respected king at the beginning of his journey, he was a simple . So Dovahkiin also started out in shameful beginnings as a prisoner on his way to execution.
Secondly there is national bias that leans towards glorifying one nation over the other. Beowulf was a member of the Geat Tribe. He saved the Danes who were too weak to save themselves. It was saying that Geats were a better people than the Danish tribe. The Dovahkiin can be a bias towards the Nords. All of the legends that help guide him are all Nordic artifacts. He could also be a bias towards whatever race he is as he saves the Nords from the Dragons proving that his culture is better, much like how Beowulf was biased.
Thirdly, the hero is nearly invincible or a Demigod. Beowulf often survived things that would kill any ordinary man. He swam under a lake for hours battling seamonsters in full plate armor. Dovahkiin gameplay wise may not be nearly invincible, but he is incredibly powerful, story wise, as he is capable of taking on the world eater Alduin one on one. He could also be a Demigod because of his powers with the Thu'um and ability to absorb dragon souls.
Another thing is that the hero is always seeking a quest or trying to conquer lands. Beowulf sought after glory as he went to Denmark to kill Grendel, an evil monster, and claim his fame. Dovahkiin also seeks quest as he is hunting down the Dragons and is on a quest to stop Alduin from ending the world. He could also be seeking conquest if you include the civil war part of the main quest as he ventures for either the Stormcloaks or the Imperials to conquer Skyrim.
Next is the involvement of the supernatural. Beowulf battled with monsters and creatures of hell. He also had several times were God intervenes with him and saves his life. For the Dovahkiin this one doesn't really need explanation to prove that there is supernatural elements in Skyrim. The dragons, magic, and Thu'um all count to this justification.
Finally, there is the very nature of the fighting itself. It is usually one on one duel combat. The hero also used unconventional weaponry that no one else could use. Beowulf always fought the monsters, such as Grendel, alone without any help from any other soldier, Danish or Geat. He also battled his enemies with weapons like a sword made for giants that no man should be able to carry. Only considering the main enemy of the story dragons, Dovahkiin usually battles them one on one without much help from the guards. He also uses an unusual weapon, his voice. His use of the Thu'um can be considered unconventional because most of the people in Skyrim cannot use this as a weapon.
The Dovahkiin is definitely an epic hero as he always emerges victorious from battle. He can is capable of slaying that dragons that can kill most other men without any trouble. He serves as a sort of beacon to what warriors/thieves/wizards are capable of being.
