Beowulf Introducing the Epic Literary Focus: The Epic Hero Feature Menu Introducing the Epic Literary Focus: The Epic Hero The Poetry of Beowulf: Caesuras, Alliteration, and Kennings

Beowulf

Beowulf Introducing the Epic Beowulf is the first great work of English national literature. the epic story of the hero Beowulf, who fights the demonic monster Grendel.

Beowulf Introducing the Epic People Beowulf: nephew of Higlac, king of the Geats. Hrothgar: king of the Danes. Wiglaf: a Geat warrior, one of Beowulf’s select band and the only one to help him in his final fight with the dragon.

Beowulf Introducing the Epic Monsters Grendel: man-eating monster who lives at the bottom of a foul mere, or mountain lake. Grendel’s mother: water-witch who seeks revenge. Dragon: giant fire-breathing serpent whom Beowulf fights in Part Two of the epic.

Beowulf Introducing the Epic Places Beowulf takes place in Scandinavia. Scandinavia Britain Scholars think Herot might have been built on the coast of Zealand, in Denmark.

Beowulf Introducing the Epic Places Herot: the golden guest hall built by King Hrothgar where warriors gathered to celebrate. [End of Section]

Beowulf Literary Focus: The Epic Hero The epic hero is the central figure in a long narrative that reflects the values and heroic ideals of a particular society. An epic is a quest story on a grand scale.

Beowulf Literary Focus: The Epic Hero Beowulf is one of ancient England’s heroes. Other times and other cultures have had other heroes. King Arthur Joan of Arc

Beowulf Literary Focus: The Epic Hero In modern America, the hero may be a real person or a fictional character. [End of Section]

Beowulf The Poetry of Beowulf Beowulf was composed in Old English, which uses a caesura, or rhythmic pause, to create unity. Locate the caesura in these lines: ða com of more         under misthleoþum Grendel gongan,         godes yrre bær; mynte se manscaða         manna cynnes sumne besyrwan         in sele þam hean. Line divided into two parts by a caesura.

Beowulf The Poetry of Beowulf Here are the same lines in modern English from Burton Raffel’s translation: Out from the marsh, from the foot of misty Hills and bogs, bearing God’s hatred, Grendel came, hoping to kill Anyone he could trap on this trip to high Herot. Punctuation reproduces pause effect of the caesura.

Beowulf The Poetry of Beowulf The Anglo-Saxon oral poet also used the poetic device of alliteration. Grendel gongan,         godes yrre bær; mynte se manscaða         manna cynnes

Beowulf The Poetry of Beowulf Alliteration: the repetition of consonant sounds in words close together. And with old woes new wail my dear time’s waste. The emphasis on the w sound in this line from Shakespeare’s Sonnet 30 creates a melancholy tone.

Beowulf The Poetry of Beowulf Find examples of alliteration in Burton Raffel’s translation of lines 1-5: Out from the marsh, from the foot of misty Hills and bogs, bearing God’s hatred, Grendel came, hoping to kill Anyone he could trap on this trip to high Herot.

Beowulf The Poetry of Beowulf Find examples of alliteration in Burton Raffel’s translation of lines 1-5: Out from the marsh, from the foot of misty Hills and bogs, bearing God’s hatred, Grendel came, hoping to kill Anyone he could trap on this trip to high Herot.

Beowulf The Poetry of Beowulf The kenning is another poetic device that was used by the oral poet. Examples of kennings from Beowulf: gold-shining hall= Herot guardian of crime = Grendel strong-hearted wakeful sleeper = Beowulf cave-guard and sky-borne foe = dragon

Beowulf The Poetry of Beowulf Kenning: a metaphorical phrase or compound word used to name a person, place, thing, or event indirectly. A kenning enhances the literal meaning of the words. A kenning gives the listener an idea of how the words connect to an idea or concept that is richer and more emotionally complex.

Beowulf The Poetry of Beowulf Create modern-day kennings for things you see around you. giver of words word-wand ? ? Kitten: purr-full delight, mew-madness Singer: siren of song, melody-muse Racing car: road-shark, roar-racer Airplane: soar-silver streak, sky’s arrow ? ? [End of Section]

Beowulf Background Beowulf is an oral epic passed from bard to bard. Harpist-bards told the familiar story for audiences in the communal halls at night. Written down between 700 and 750. Reconstructed Anglo-Saxon village in West Stow, England, with communal hall on the left.

Beowulf Background Who wrote it down? Theory: Evidence: The poet who wrote Beowulf down may have been a Northumbrian monk. Evidence: scenery described resembles Northumbria (northeastern England) Christian elements in epic [End of Section]

Quickwrite

Beowulf Quickwrite Make the Connection Write about a contemporary hero, real or fictional, and the challenges he or she faces. Describe your hero, and then briefly analyze him or her using these questions: What sort of evil or oppression does your hero confront? Why does he or she confront evil? What’s the motivation? For whom does your hero confront evil? What virtues does your hero represent? [End of Section]

Vocabulary

Beowulf Vocabulary Previewing the Vocabulary resolute adj.: determined. vehemently adv.: violently infallible adj.: unable to fail or be wrong furled v.: rolled up. lavish adj.: extravagant assail v.: attack extolled v.: praised

Beowulf Vocabulary Previewing the Vocabulary: Activity resolute furled extolled assail vehemently lavish infallible Which Word…… is often used in reference to a flag?________ describes someone who is stubborn?________ describes how someone might argue about a subject he or she feels strongly about?___________ is a synonym for praised? __________ describes someone who cannot fail?_________ describes someone who gives generous gifts?________ is another way of saying attack? ________ furled resolute vehemently extolled infallible lavish assail [End of Section]