1. WHO IS AN EPIC HERO? Usually a man – usually of high social status,
often an important part in the history of his people,
the epic hero always represents “good” – fighting against the villain (the “evil” force),
the epic hero must possess courage, strength, loyalty, wisdom, & supreme self-confidence.
Once we begin to read Beowulf, keep these characteristics in mind. Ask yourself if the heroes meet these expectations.

2. WHAT IS AN EPIC? A long narrative,
the retelling of the adventures of a “larger-than-life” hero,
told or written in a formal language,
the epic hero struggles with his/her opponents,
involves supernatural events,
long periods of time,
distant journey,
perilous (dangerous) journey,

3. WHAT IS AN EPIC? 9) full of monsters, 10) fierce battles,
life and death struggles between forces of good and evil.

4. General Notes
Epics were recited (told) by mouth. Storytellers traveled from town to town, telling the stories because few people were literate (able to read) during the earliest times of the epic.
2) Epics were sometimes accompanied by music.

5. General Notes
3) These epic tales were the “movies” of their day – their form of entertainment.
Epics were eventually written down (Who wrote them down?).
5) Epics continue to be read, put in movie form, and played in games today.