What is an EPIC? Narrative in poem form Has a hero Story of the hero’s travels and his fights with monsters, gods, & bad guys Told in 3rd person Originally sung, often to a harp by a Scop Contains information about culture Religion, dress & ornaments Homes, weapons & war
Epic cont. Often contain clues to what the people who Roles of men & women Values & moral standards Often contain clues to what the people who created them feared or did not understand Natural disasters Natural features (like boiling springs and water red with rust Death The heavens Storms
Traits of an Epic Hero “Larger than Life” qualities Natural leader of others Not emotionally connected to his followers, even though they die for him and they fight and defend for him. Is appealing to the opposite sex but rarely has an extended relationship Defeats monsters and/or fights gods (or very bad guys)
Traits of an Epic Hero cont. Has “good” or God on his/her side. Associated with “light” and strength and values Often stands alone in battle Smarter than everyone else (problem-solver) Has a weakness that often destroys him or leads to his death or almost to death Single weakness; character flaw Travels to find adventure A skilled fighter
Beowulf…An Epic Poem Epic poem: long narrative poem sometimes developed orally that celebrates the deeds of a legendary or heroic figure Approx 3,182 lines Hero battles the forces of evil Represents widespread cultural, national, or religious values
Beowulf Introduction… Anonymous author Circa 750 A.D./Put into writing 900 A.D. Originally told in Old English with harp music-The Scop National epic of England
Only surviving copy…Housed in British Library in London
Beowulf setting… 6th century Scandinavia Southern Sweden to Denmark Herot: banquet hall of the Danes
Setting Map…
Mead Hall of Herot
Viking Ship…
Beowulf…great Geat warrior… Beowulf…a Geat from southern Sweden
Hrothgar: King of Denmark King Hrothgar…from Denmark. Needs Beowulf’s assistance to kill Grendel.
Grendel… Grendel…a terrifying creature of enormous size— “swampland”
Characteristics of an epic Anglo-Saxon poem… Alliteration Use of kennings Use of Caesura
Pagan/Christian Influences… Anglo-Saxons practiced paganism Lives in the hands of fate (Wyrd) Tales of monsters and the supernatural Multiple gods/goddesses Christianity took hold in 7th century Single deity Freedom to make own choices Clear distinctions between good and evil
Old English Words to Note… scyld (shield) sweord (sword) Gode (God) and strong. Wergild (eye for an eye; death price reparation) Wyrd (Fate)—Pagan concept of predestination Comitatus (Brotherhood; Code of Honor) Word-hoard (well-reasoned boast; eloquence)