1. (Translated by Burton Raffel)

2.  Oral tradition – books, stories, poems passed along by word of mouth  Beowulf takes place in 6 th century Scandinavia  Originally told in Old English  When Beowulf was finally written down in the 11 th century, it marked the beginning of British Literature  Contains an elegiac verse like an elegy, or poem of sorrow for the dead, or an ode, which is to honor a person or event.

4. The whole epic is told in stories or episodes (episodic) There is an epic hero that must go through a journey to discover something about himself or his surroundings. Begins in the Middle, In Medias Res

5. A Vast/Global Setting–a Nation or the World (setting covers a vast geographical distance) Long verse that deals with the origins of a nation, people, or religious beliefs Gods and other supernatural beings play a role Human, mortal, heroes, national or religious, fight against great odds and triumph, but also die in the end The diction is elevated (complex words), and it’s written in verse More Epic Conventions

6. Qualities of an Epic Hero An epic hero is a larger than life figure from a history or legend The hero participates in a cyclical journey or quest Faces adversaries that try to defeat him in his journey Gathers allies along his journey Returns home significantly transformed by his journey. Epic heroes are superhuman in that they are smarter, stronger, and braver than average humans An epic hero can also be a warrior of some sort who performs extraordinary tasks that most find difficult.

7. Water monster Dragons Underwater fights in a supernatural place Magic swords Death and glory Funeral pyre Blood and gore; body parts of victim mistaken for hero Images from the Heroic World

9. X Hereo t Denmark Geatland

10.  Epic (n): a long narrative poem, presented in an elevated style that celebrates episodes in a people’s heroic tradition.  Loathsome (adj): disgusting  Affliction (n): condition of pain, suffering, or distress  Wrath (n): violent: resentful; rage; fury  Wyrd (n): “that which happens”; ongoing fate (stemming from an Old English noun from the verb weorthan "to become". )`  Glory (n): exalted honor or praise  Writhing (adj): making twisting or turning motions  Solace (n): comfort; relief  Reparation (n): making up for wrong or injury