Epic Poetry Mr. Brennan World Literature

Beowulf and the Monomyth SWBAT compose a thesis statement and outline in preparation for an analytical essay. Learning Objective Review: Beowulf and the Monomyth Workshop: Thesis & Outline Video: Beowulf Write Beowulf Essay Introduction Homework Reminders

Final Unit Assessment In a 1250 word essay, examine the Anglo-Saxon hero, Beowulf, as well as a person you believe to be a hero in contemporary culture, and evaluate how they parallel with Campbell’s Monomyth? Do you see: Frazerian anxiety over natural forces, and a primitive effort to understand and manipulate them? What does this epic say about the formation of civilization and its tensions with the “wild”? Freudian unconscious psyche at work, in the play of Oedipal tensions? Where are Durkheim’s social values? Where are Jung’s archetypes at work? How might the story be an expression of this culture’s “ultimate concern,” as in Tillich? What is the gender dynamics of maleness and femaleness? The earliest “book” known, watch for subtext of universal world views, of patriarchy v. matriarchy, of order fighting chaos, of agrarian civilization overtaking hunter-gatherer tribes.

Beowulf is called to adventure when he hears the stories of Grendel. Beowulf does not refuse the call, but embraces it as a true Anglo-Saxon hero; the most honorable fate would be to find death in battle. God offers Beowulf the strength to conquer Grendel without weaponry and the ancient heirloom to defeat his mother; Hrothgar offers wise advice; Unferth offers an ancient blade Beowulf’s crossing the sea to Denmark is a threshold in which he commits to change and disconnects from his native culture Beowulf separates himself from his men to travel alone in his decent into Grendel’s mother’s lair. DEPARTURE

INITIATION Beowulf’s father figure can be represented by Fate/God, who Beowulf must accept as the possessor of ultimate power. Father figure can also be seen as Hrothgar or Hyglec, who Beowulf confronts to gain acceptance, and is embraced as a son There is no temptress; perhaps, again, due to Anglo-Saxon warrior culture. Although it never overcame him, his own pride could have tempted him from his never-ending glory. Beowulf lacks female influence, perhaps due to Anglo-Saxon warrior culture; however, Wealhtheow gives Beowulf a “torque of gold” for luck. Beowulf’s journey comprises of three major trials; another trial includes his journey to reach Grendel’s mother’s lair, which is protected by creatures.

INITIATION Beowulf reaches the lowest point of his journey when he faces Grendel’s mother; for the first time we see, as does he, that he is not immortal; he changes his approach to battle. His men believe him to be dead, but he is victorious, ascends, and is reborn as a true hero. Beowulf brings back Grendel’s head and the hilt of the giant sword back to Heorot; thus, ridding the Danes of monsters. While this serves as a literal boon, Beowulf has brought knowledge back that one can defeat monsters and revive salvation. A theme also echoed in the battle against the dragon.

RETURN Beowulf does not falter and eagerly returns to Geatland. Though Beowulf dies, he lives on forever; the ultimate boon becomes the story of Beowulf, the story of a hero. The tale doesn’t simply tell that dragons are real, but that dragons can be defeated. Becomes master of Geatland & Denmark; of the super-natural world through Christ and of the human world through his immortal tale. In defeating the dragon, Beowulf retains his boon and crosses into the afterlife, but is resurrected in the telling of his heroic tale. After being wounded, Beowulf receives help from his loyal thane, Wiglaf, who enables Beowulf to defeat the dragon, claim treasure for his people, and eventually sings the song of Beowulf. Beowulf must defeat the dragon in order for his story to be told; the story becomes the essential knowledge which empowers a hero-centric war culture standing at the crux of Anglo-Saxon religion Beowulf does not falter and eagerly returns to Geatland.

Final Unit Assessment In a 1250 word essay, examine the Anglo-Saxon hero, Beowulf, as well as a person you believe to be a hero in contemporary culture, and evaluate how they parallel with Campbell’s Monomyth? Do you see: Frazerian anxiety over natural forces, and a primitive effort to understand and manipulate them? What does this epic say about the formation of civilization and its tensions with the “wild”? Freudian unconscious psyche at work, in the play of Oedipal tensions? Where are Durkheim’s social values? Where are Jung’s archetypes at work? How might the story be an expression of this culture’s “ultimate concern,” as in Tillich? What is the gender dynamics of maleness and femaleness? The earliest “book” known, watch for subtext of universal world views, of patriarchy v. matriarchy, of order fighting chaos, of agrarian civilization overtaking hunter-gatherer tribes.

Outline Intro: Thesis: Body Paragraph(s): Conclusion: In a 1250 word essay, examine the Anglo-Saxon hero, Beowulf, as well as a person you believe to be a hero in contemporary culture, and evaluate how they parallel with Campbell’s Monomyth? Intro: Thesis: Body Paragraph(s): Conclusion: What is a hero? Joseph Campbell? monomyth? What is the purpose of the hero and the monomyth? (i.e. culturally and psychologically) The Anglo-Saxon hero, Beowulf, as well as the American hero, George Washington, adhere to Joseph Campbell’s monomyth, as they both complete the heroic journey revealing a great deal about their respective cultures and an individual's search for identity.

Outline What is a hero? Who is Joseph Campbell? What is his notion of the monomyth? What is the purpose of the hero and the monomyth? (i.e. culturally and psychologically) The Anglo-Saxon hero, Beowulf, as well as the American hero, George Washington, adhere to Joseph Campbell’s monomyth, as they both complete the heroic journey revealing a great deal about their respective cultures and an individual's search for identity. Departure Initiation Return In conclusion… summary of main points relation to our current society and/or lives Do you see: Frazerian anxiety over natural forces, and a primitive effort to understand and manipulate them? What does this epic say about the formation of civilization and its tensions with the “wild”? Freudian unconscious psyche at work, in the play of Oedipal tensions? Where are Durkheim’s social values? Where are Jung’s archetypes at work? How might the story be an expression of this culture’s “ultimate concern,” as in Tillich? What is the gender dynamics of maleness and femaleness? The earliest “book” known, watch for subtext of universal world views, of patriarchy v. matriarchy, of order fighting chaos, of agrarian civilization overtaking hunter-gatherer tribes.