(Everything you wanted to know about epic poetry but were afraid to ask!)

The Epic X A long, narrative poem told in an exalted style (grand manner) that tells of the exploits and adventures of a hero X Oral Tradition –the way a culture passed on its history, legends, myths, and stories from one generation to the next –essential means of archiving history before printing and mass media –often includes rhythm, rhyme, and repetition

The Epic X Significant to a particular race or culture-- part of a given culture’s history and mythology X Often based in literal truth X Reveal that culture’s value and belief systems and character X Certain elements may be universal, transcending cultural, geographical, and historical boundaries

Beowulf as Epic: Anglo-Saxon Scops X Professional tribal poets X Celebrated cultural values by singing epics on occasions of great ceremony and festivity X Presented the stories, legends, myths, values, belief systems, and histories of the Anglo- Saxon culture X Passed them down from one generation to the next

Beowulf as Epic: Scops X Fulfilled many roles in an Anglo Saxon tribe: court singer tribal historian genealogist teacher composer critic warrior traveler and reporter

Beowulf as Epic X Cultural values embodied in Beowulf: –Loyalty –Valor (courage, bravery) –Selflessness (willingness to sacrifice self for the good of the people) –Justice

Beowulf as Epic X Prevailing philosophies & religious beliefs evident in Beowulf: –Uneasy mix of Christian and pagan elements (images, symbols, beliefs) –Incl. fatalism: a belief that humans are not in control of their own destinies; Fate is.

Archetypes X Universal symbols that transcend boundaries of culture, time and geography X Part of humanity’s collective unconscious (Carl Jung) X Examples include certain-- Images (sun, water, circle, tree, serpent, garden, desert) Colors (red, green, blue, white, black) Numbers (3, 4, 7) Character types (The Good Mother, The Wise Old Man, The Hero)

Archetypes--Sun X Sun (fire and sky) –creative energy –consciousness –father principle –passage of time and life X Rising sun –birth; creation; enlightenment X Setting sun –death

Archetypes--Water X Mysteries of creation X Birth-death-resurrection cycles X Purification and redemption X Sea –mother of all life –timelessness and eternity X River –death and rebirth (baptism) –transitional phases of the life cycle

Archetypes--Colors X Red: blood, sacrifice, violent passion; disorder X Green: (Positive) growth; hope; fertility; (Negative) death and decay X Blue: highly positive, associated with truth, religious feeling, security, spiritual purity X Black: (darkness) chaos, mystery, the unknown; death; the unconscious X White: (Positive) light, purity, innocence; timelessness; (Negative) death, terror, emptiness, blinding truth of mystery

Archetypes--Circle X Circle (Sphere): wholeness, unity X Egg (oval): the mystery of life and forces of generation X Wheel--symbol of fortune, fate X Yang-Yin: a Chinese symbol; represents the union of opposite forces --(Jungian theory of anima and animus) –Yang: masculine principle; light; activity; the conscious mind –Yin: female principle; darkness; passivity; the unconscious

More Archetypal Images X Serpent X Evil X Corruption X Sensuality X Destruction X The unconscious The Garden Paradise Innocence Unspoiled beauty Fertility

More Archetypal Images X Desert X Spiritual aridity (dryness) X Emptiness X Hopelessness (Wasteland) X Tree X Life; consistence and growth X Proliferation X Immortality; generation and regeneration

Archetypes--Numbers X Three (3) X Spiritual awareness and unity –Example: the Holy Trinity X Male principle X Four (4) X Associated with circle and earth (four corners) X Life cycle (four seasons) X Female principle X Seven (7): Most potent of all symbolic numbers X Union of 3 & 4 X Completion of a cycle; perfect order

Archetypes--Character Types X The Good Mother (positive qualities of E.M.) X associated with life principle X represents birth, warmth, nourishment X represents protection and abundance X Examples: –Mother Nature--the earth mother –Demeter/Ceres –Marmie March (from Little Women) –Captain Planet--Gaia –Cinderella--Fairy godmother –Star Wars--Anakin Skywalker’s mother(?)

Archetypes--Character Types X The Terrible Mother (negative qualities of E.M.) X femme fatale X witch, sorceress, siren, whore, seductress X associated with fear, sensuality, danger, darkness, emasculation, death X Examples: Delilah –Cinderella--evil stepmother –Hera –any soap opera –The Little Mermaid--Ursula

Archetypes--Character Types X The Soul Mate X Sophia figure--associated with spiritual wisdom X Holy mother X Princess or “beautiful lady” X Incarnation of inspiration and spiritual fulfillment X Jungian anima (completion) X Examples: –Wizard of Oz--Glenda the Good Witch –Star Wars--Princess Leia –Blue woman (Diva) in The Fifth Element

Archetypes--Character Types X The Wise Old Man X savior, redeemer, guru figure X personification of the spiritual principle X represents knowledge, reflection, insight, wisdom, cleverness and intuition X also represents moral qualities such as goodwill, readiness to help X the sagacious and helpful old man X Examples: Obiwan Kenobi, Yoda, Merlin, Gandolf, Mr. Miyagi, Splinter, Rafiki, Teiresius

Archetypes--Character Types X The Hero Archetypes ( archetypes of transformation and redemption) X Hero’s Initiation (from ignorance and immaturity to social and spiritual adulthood) –Separation –Transformation –Return X Examples: Huck Finn, The Lion King, Luke Skywalker, Ebeneezer Scrooge, Overboard, The Prodigal Son

Archetypes--Character Types X The Sacrificial Scapegoat X the hero with whom the welfare of the tribe or nation is identified X must die to atone for the people’s sins and to restore the land to fruitfulness X Examples: Braveheart--William Wallace, Jesus, Maximus of Gladiator, Somersby, Bruce Willis’ character in Armageddon

The Hero Archetype X The Hero’s Quest –Undertakes a long journey –Must perform impossible tasks and overcome insurmountable obstacles –Has an important goal to achieve –Is often a savior, deliverer figure

Other Archetypal Motifs X Creation X Immortality X Battle of Good v. Evil