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The Epic, Epic Hero, and Beowulf

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1 The Epic, Epic Hero, and Beowulf
Anglo-Saxon England

2 Epic Hero Superhero Brave, strong, good Usually high social status
Important in his people’s history “Larger-than-life” (Superman, ex) Embodies the ideals of his people

3 The Epic Tale LONG narrative poem Formal language
Tells the story of the Epic Hero Most not written; told by storytellers, called scops (shopes), and gleemen (or “singers of tales”), probably accompanied by music Very few complete written epics survive

4 Plots of Epics Involve Supernatural events
Long time periods; Distant journeys Life & death struggles between good and evil Hero: ALWAYS REPRESENTS GOOD Forces that threaten the people: ALWAYS REPRESENT EVIL Defeat of evil determines fate of nation

5 The Anglo-Saxon Epic Hero:
Anglo-Saxon ideals for hero: -courage -physical strength -loyalty to tribe or king -wisdom -supreme self-confidence

6 Beowulf Set in: 6th or 7th century (500s-600s a.d.)
“Imagine a time when tribes from Europe regularly raided one another’s shores to loot and burn each other’s settlements; when great warriors feasted, drank, and bragged of their bloody conquests in huge mead halls…; when kings bestowed riches upon their brave warriors to retain their allegiance; when people believed in monsters and dragons” (Glencoe British Literature, 43).

7 Beowulf Place: NOT ENGLAND Set in Scandinavia Involves:
The Geats-tribe from southern Sweden The Danes-tribe from Denmark

8 Why is it considered English?
Scandinavians were part of the Anglo-Saxons When Anglo-Saxons settled in a place, their stories came with them

9 More on Beowulf’s History
Oldest known English literary work -A scop probably first wrote Beowulf down in 700s -Oldest known, surviving manuscript was written 300 yrs. later by unknown author

10 Beowulf: Names Hrothgar: King of the Danes
Grendel: monster that terrorizes Danes Beowulf: from family of Kings of Geats; hero Grendel’s mother: seeks revenge on Danes

11 Herot: name of Hrothgar’s mead hall
Hrunting: Beowulf’s sword

12 Poetic Devices in Beowulf
Scops and gleemen needed poetic devices to help remember tales and give stories greater impact Alliteration: repetition of similar consonant sounds (Ex: miserable, mighty men tormented) Caesura: an obvious pause in a line of poetry, usually found near middle of line, w/ 2 stressed syllables before and 2 after. Indicated with //. (Ex: A prince of the Geats// had killed Grendel) 3. Kenning: An imaginative phrase that takes the place of a single noun (Ex: whale-road=sea; life-house=body)

13 Literary Elements in Beowulf
Foreshadowing: hints about what’s to come. Ex from Beowulf: “But fate, that night, intended/ Grendel to gnaw the broken bones/ Of his last human supper…” ( ) *Look for another example of foreshadowing as you read; write down the line numbers*

14 Vocabulary for Beowulf
Lament (n): an expression of sorrow, OR a song or writing that mourns a death (V): to express sorrow Forged (v): formed or shaped; made Shroud(n): burial cloth Infamous (adj): famous for something bad; notorious Writhing (v): twisting in pain Spawned (v): born

15 Lair (n): den of a wild animal
Reparation (n): payment to make up for a wrong or injury; indemnity Linden (adj): wooden Scabbard (n): case that protects the blade of a sword Hilt (n): a sword’s handle


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