1. Epic Poetry and Beowulf

2. Epic Defined
An epic is a long narrative poem that recounts the adventures of a legendary hero in pursuit of a goal of national importance.
The hero’s accomplishments reflect the values of his culture.

3. Elements of the Epic Epic Hero Central character
Usually of noble or semi-divine birth
Uses his courage, skill, and virtue against evil forces
Quest
Hero goes on a long, dangerous journey
Quest is the chance to prove his heroism and win honor

4. Elements of the Epic Valorous Deeds
These actions demonstrate the hero’s courage, strength, or virtue
Make up most of the action in an epic
Divine Intervention
Occurs in most epics
Hero receives help from a god or another supernatural force

5. Elements of the Epic
Great Events
Important events from the history or mythology of a nation or culture often provide the themes and backdrop

6. Types of Epics Folk Epics
Stories about heroes were recited or sung (oral tradition!) and passed down generations.
Written down long after composed
Examples: Gilgamesh and Beowulf
Literary Epics
Written down by individual authors
Examples: Odyssey by Homer

7. Epic Conventions
Epics share certain literary or formal characteristics:
Opens by stating the subject or purpose, followed by the invocation of a muse
Plot begins in medias res (in the middle of things)
Serious in tone and lofty in style – used to convey the importance of events
Long speeches by the characters and lists of battles, weapons, and royal gifts suggest formality

8. Definitions
Scop- a traveling storyteller of the Anglo-Saxon period. Scops were expected to have a broad repetoire of tales and to be able to compose tales for their patrons.

9. Definitions
Comitatus- The Germanic code of loyalty. Thanes, or warriors, swore loyalty to their king, who would in turn reciprocate their loyalty with gifts of treasure and land. One made a reputation in this way.

10. Definitions
Wergild- “Man-payment,” the practice of paying a slain man’s family to atone for the deed and to prevent them from taking revenge against the man-slayer.

11. Beowulf Introduction
An epic dated somewhere between the 5th and 6th centuries
Action takes place in Scandinavia, but was originally told in Old English
Not written down until the 11th century
Story is divided into three agons (conflicts)
Grendel, Grendel’s mother, and the dragon

12. Beowulf Introduction Action packed – the hero must fight 3 monsters
Why is Beowulf so great?!?!
Action packed – the hero must fight 3 monsters
Men are eaten alive, limbs are torn off
Characters are kings, princes, and warriors
A main character with magical qualities
he can swim for days on end and hold his breath for a really long time
Beowulf: Beo = Bear; Wulf = Wolf…so no ordinary human