epithet vs characterization

epithet and characterization both are nouns.

Word	Noun	Adjective	Verb	Adverb
epithet	Yes	No	No	No
characterization	Yes	No	No	No

As nouns, characterization is a hypernym of epithet; that is, characterization is a word with a broader meaning than epithet:

Other hypernyms of epithet include characterisation, delineation, depiction, picture, word-painting, word picture.

epithet (noun)	characterization (noun)
descriptive word or phrase	acting the part of a character on stage; dramatically representing the character by speech and action and gesture
a defamatory or abusive word or phrase	a graphic or vivid verbal description
	the act of describing distinctive characteristics or essential features