Beowulf The Epic Hero

On Beowulf Beowulf is the only full length epic in any of the old Germanic languages. Beowulf is the only full length epic in any of the old Germanic languages. The poem presents the warrior’s world in the early part of the medieval period. The poem presents the warrior’s world in the early part of the medieval period. This world is a world of adventure, courage, bravery, harshness, and blood. This world is a world of adventure, courage, bravery, harshness, and blood.

Celto-Germanic People Large, light-complexioned, fair-haired Large, light-complexioned, fair-haired Virtues: courage, loyalty, generosity, hospitality, prudence, high degree of morality Virtues: courage, loyalty, generosity, hospitality, prudence, high degree of morality Vices: ate greatly, drank deeply, gambled seriously, raped widely, but were ultimately pessimistic about the afterlife Vices: ate greatly, drank deeply, gambled seriously, raped widely, but were ultimately pessimistic about the afterlife - - hence the dark and melancholy spirit of Beowulf - - hence the dark and melancholy spirit of Beowulf

Epic Elements The Hero: The Hero: - a figure of heroic stature, of national or international importance, and of great historical or legendary significance. - an individual who surpasses all others in strength, courage, and ability, esp. in battle. - makes personal sacrifices in order to fulfill his duties to society

The Setting: vast, covering great nations, the world, the universe The Setting: vast, covering great nations, the world, the universe The Action: consisted of deeds of great valor or requiring superhuman courage, strength, and ability. The Action: consisted of deeds of great valor or requiring superhuman courage, strength, and ability. Superhuman forces—gods, angels, demons, monsters—intervene in the action.

The Style: sustained elevation and grand simplicity The Style: sustained elevation and grand simplicity Begins in medias res (in the middle of Begins in medias res (in the middle of things). things). Earlier episodes may be recalled in flashbacks. Earlier episodes may be recalled in flashbacks. As an oral epic, passages may be repeated, As an oral epic, passages may be repeated, making them easier to remember. making them easier to remember. Oral epic emphasizes heroic deeds, prowess, and fame. Oral epic emphasizes heroic deeds, prowess, and fame.

Ideals in Beowulf Courage and honor Courage and honor Devotion to duty Devotion to duty Generosity Generosity Loyalty between men Loyalty between men Kingly behavior Kingly behavior Both pagan and Christian beliefs and practices are present. Both pagan and Christian beliefs and practices are present. The heroic and Christian traditions coexist. The heroic and Christian traditions coexist.

Form and Rhythm Germanic poetry is alliterative. Germanic poetry is alliterative. The line is a metrical unit: two halves are separated by a caesura or a well marked pause. The line is a metrical unit: two halves are separated by a caesura or a well marked pause. Half lines contain two strong accents and a variable number of unaccented syllables; halves are bound by alliteration. Half lines contain two strong accents and a variable number of unaccented syllables; halves are bound by alliteration. Vowels also alliterate. Vowels also alliterate.

End rhyme is rare and the verse is relatively free End rhyme is rare and the verse is relatively free This structure provides the scop the opportunity for hurrying over long lines and drawing out short ones like modern singers. This structure provides the scop the opportunity for hurrying over long lines and drawing out short ones like modern singers.

Stylistic Devices Heiti – a one word substitute for an ordinary noun. Ex: ash or wood for spear Kennings – a two-word circumlocution for an ordinary noun (compound noun or hyphenated phrase). Ex: shield-bearer or spear-fighter for soldier; gold-friend, war- chief, protector of the people, ring giver for king.

Litotes [lit a teez] – an affirmative expressed by the negation of its opposite. Ex: “This is no small problem.” Litotes are a form of understatement.

Dating and Setting Some critics believe the manuscript of Beowulf was written c by an unknown poet, monk, or scop. Some critics believe the manuscript of Beowulf was written c by an unknown poet, monk, or scop. Others place it between 6-11C. Others place it between 6-11C. The setting is Denmark and southern Sweden. The setting is Denmark and southern Sweden. The poet goes beyond the heroic and shows sympathy for the old heroes and their suffering without Christian consolation. The poet goes beyond the heroic and shows sympathy for the old heroes and their suffering without Christian consolation.