1. The Epic Characteristics
You will need these notes for your epic video project. Grade on video based in part on elements of the epic.

2. Epic
A long narrative that celebrates a hero’s courageous deeds and adventures
That hero is going to change depending on region
Beowulf = manly
Ramayana = peace loving (meditates in battle)

3. Epic The hero is: Of noble birth or high position
Of great historical importance
True of every epic

4. Epic The hero’s character traits reflect the ideals of his society.
As we read the epics pay attention to character traits they tell us what the culture values.
Epics from our culture. What qualities/traits/values would be revealed?
Ex: George Washington – freedom, independence, honesty
300

5. Epic The hero’s deeds and adventures reflect the values of the era.
Not just what the hero is like but what he does.
Dragon with riches – man wants riches – what does that say about the culture?
Culture’s values show up in the type of hero and what they do.

6. Epic The hero’s actions determine the fate of a nation or culture.
Beowulf – end of an era. Anglo Saxon culture was dying – transitioning to Christianity.
New way of thinking is coming. Beowulf is trying to hold on to the old ways.

7. Epic
The setting is vast in scope, often involving more than one nation.
Ramayana – all across the universe
Beowulf – Sweden to Denmark
Illiad – Greece and Troy
*your epic video should show the vastness of the settings of epics.

8. Epic Elevated Style – formal diction and serious tone
Beowulf – son of so and so, son of so and so, son of so and so . . .
*have fun this in epic video

9. Epic Major characters often deliver long formal speeches.
*have fun with this in your epic video

10. Epic The plot is complicated by supernatural beings or events.
Iliad – Greece and Troy – gods and goddesses
Beowulf – 3 monsters
amayana – gods and monkeys

11. Epic Reflects timeless values Current/relevant Battle of good and evil
Goodness vs. badness

12. Epic Treats universal themes. What does it mean to be a hero?
Good vs. evil

13. The Anglo Saxons and “Beowulf” Historical Background
Roman Empire 300BC – 410 AD
How big the Roman Empire was. Conqured a lot of land. Made their way up to the Anglo Saxons in northern Europe.

14. The Christianity of Roman Empire brings change of view to Britain
Britain was pagan prior to Roman control
Roman Empire – Catholic/Christian
Old/pagan beliefs were living alongside new/Christian beliefs in Britain, and the longer the Romans remained, the more Christianized the pagans became.
As Rome invaded two belief systems along side of each other.

15. Beowulf – the Anglo Saxon’s Story
When Rome began to fall (soldiers had to return to Rome to defend it, leaving the outer lands vulnurable), the Anglo Saxon Germanic Tribes began attacking England.
These tribes practiced old Norse religion, which believed in many gods, and Wyrd (fate).

16. 410 Fall of Roman Empire
Leaves Britain vulnerable to Germanic Tribes – Romans leave Britain because they need to defend Rome.
Anglo Saxons control Britain:

17. Danes, Norsemen, and Vikings
Anglo Saxon England
Anglo Saxon England is vulnerable to attack by:
Danes, Norsemen, and Vikings
When Rome invaded Britain they left Britain weak and tribes came down from the north and attacked also.
Monsters illustrate attacks people were constantly fearing and waiting for.
*no electricity or lights at night. Dark and scary.

18. Anglo Saxons Feudal System Passionately loyal
Strict Tribal Code of conduct
Love of Adventure
Fatalistic Outlook
Fame/Wealth only true immortality
Burial a sign of one’s immortality
God/hero Religion
Oral Tradition/Illiterate
Gathered in “mead halls” to tell battle stories
Patriarchal
Circular, rings of loyalty, story is circular.
Their gods where heroes. Stories heroic in nature.

19. Old Anglo Saxon Oral Stories
Passed down orally
Recorded by Monks and kept in monasteries around 700 AD
Christian/Pagan beliefs – two theories..

20. Theory #1
Beowulf is a reflection of the times: Pagans lived alongside of Christians – their stories reflected these beliefs
Theory #2
Beowulf is a Pagan story – Christian elements were added later by the monks.