1. Characteristics of an epic:
The hero, generally male, is of noble birth or high position
The hero’s character traits reflect important ideals of his society
The hero performs courageous deeds that reflect the values of the times
His actions determine the fate of many

2. Characteristics of an epic continued:
The setting is vast
Written in formal diction with a serious tone
Characters have long, formal speeches
Hero’s journey (slides to follow)
Poem reflects timeless values (courage, etc)
Treats universal themes (good vs. evil, etc.)

3. Key Elements and Hero’s Journey
Beowulf
Key Elements and Hero’s Journey
The plot is complicated by supernatural beings or events.
The actions of the hero often determine the fate of a nation or group of people
The poem reflects values such as courage and honor.

4. The hero takes a journey to foreign lands.
3 phases of the hero journey:
Separation – a break away from local social order, the beginning of a quest.
Initiation – a long deep retreat inward with a series of chaotic encounters which provide new insight.
Return – reintegration into society, coming back as as a more evolved person.

5. The general points of the cycle include:
a test: to test worthiness to complete said quest
a main antagonist, often supernatural
a magical/unreal world, unable to be visited by a normal human, that the hero visits (e.g. the underworld or the world of the gods)
a resurrection: either from being dead or from a dead-like state of mind, or a hero who was thought to be dead who was rediscovered

6. The action of Beowulf is not straightforward.
The narrator foreshadows actions that will occur later, talking about events that are yet to come.
Characters talk about things that have already happened in the poem and recall incidents and characters outside the poem's main narrative.

7. Themes & Conflicts good and evil coexist in the world
strength against weakness
light against dark
Life is transitory
All men must die but man can live on through fame
Christian versus pagan elements

8. Monsters the oral tradition Mead hall
Motifs: recurring structures, contrasts, or literary devices that can help to develop and inform the text’s major themes.
Monsters
the oral tradition
Mead hall

9. Characteristics of the Hero’s Journey
The hero is at first naïve and inexperienced
The hero meets monsters or monstrous men
The hero must go on a journey, learn a lesson, change in some way, and return home
The hero often crosses a body of water or travels on a bridge.
The origin of the hero is mysterious or the hero loses his/her parents at a young age, being raised by animals or a wise guardian
The hero is special, one of a kind. He/she might represent a whole nation or culture
The hero struggles for something valuable and important (as determined by the culture)
The hero has help from divine or supernatural forces
The hero goes through a rite of passage or initiation, an event that marks a change from an immature to a more mature understanding of the world
The hero undergoes some type of ritual or ceremony after his/her initiation
The hero makes a stirring speech to his/her companions
The hero engages in tests or contests of strength (physical and/or mental) and shows pride in his/her excellence
The hero suffers an unhealable wound, sometimes an emotional or spiritual wound from which the hero never completely recovers.

10. IMPORTANCE OF GERMANIC HEROIC CODE IN BEOWULF AND ANGLO-SAXON CULTURE
Values strength, courage, and loyalty in warriors.
Hospitality, generosity, and political skills in kings
Ceremoniousness in women
Good reputation in all people
IMPORTANCE OF GERMANIC HEROIC CODE IN BEOWULF AND ANGLO-SAXON CULTURE
Vital as a means of understanding individual relationship to the world and the menaces lurking beyond their boundaries.
All characters’ moral judgments stem from the codes mandates
Individual action can be seen only as conforming to or violating the code.

11. Anglo Saxon Ideals and Vices
Physical strength
Courage
Devotion to duty
Loyalty
Generosity
Fair play
Vices
Pride
Greed
Cowardice
Disloyalty