British Literature Ms. Sullens Beowulf British Literature Ms. Sullens

What is Beowulf? An Old English epic poem Epic poem: long, narrative poem that is usually about heroic deeds and events that are significant to the culture of the poet Written in an elevated style Considered one of the oldest pieces of Old English poetry Also considered the longest epic poem at 3182 lines

Who wrote it? No one knows Scholars believe “The Beowulf Poet” was most likely a Christian monk This would explain the Christian influences found within the poem A manuscript was found in the 11th century, but the poem was told orally for many centuries before that This is the only remaining manuscript  

Literary Devices Alliteration Caesura Kenning Motif: recurring image, symbol, or theme in a work of literature Christian/Biblical allusion Pagan customs Traits of the warrior Boasting

Three Parts to the story Beowulf can be divided into three parts, each a representation of evil The battle with Grendel The battle with Grendel’s mother The battle with the dragon

Where does the story take place? Geatland (modern day Sweden) and Denmark Not England

What is Beowulf about? Beowulf, a Geat warrior, comes to the aid of Hrothgar, a Danish king whose mead hall, Herot, is under attack by a monster called Grendel. Beowulf defeats Grendel, believing that the hall is safe once again, but much to everyone’s surprise, Grendel’s mother avenges her son, killing many warriors and wreaking havoc in the mead hall. The rest of the epic poem tells of Beowulf’s quest to defeat Grendel’s mother, and later a dragon, to keep the Danes safe and to obtain glory and reputation.

Characteristics of an epic hero

1. noble birth Most epic heroes will have an above average station in life They will be kings, princes, or nobles of some sort

2. Capable of deeds of great strength Basically, this means the hero has the potential for great deeds The magnitude of these actions are well above and beyond what the commoner does While most epic heroes are good, not all are

3. Great warrior Before the hero of an epic does his business in the epic, he has usually established himself in combat during a war Sometimes, as in The Iliad, we see the hero at war In most, like Beowulf and The Odyssey, the hero has spent much time in battle

4. Travels over a vast setting You cannot be an epic hero if you stay in your village your whole life The more countries or areas traveled to, the better. The farther away from your own country, the better Distance makes the hero’s actions greater because they aren’t selfish; they are for another country or people

6. Faces supernatural foes and has supernatural help 5. National heroism Reflects the values and ideals of a society 6. Faces supernatural foes and has supernatural help This is what makes a hero’s action epic: they fight something mere mortals cannot battle. Beowulf has his Grendel; Odysseus his Cyclops For each hero, the enemy is unique. You won’t see two heroes battling the same foe

The hero’s journey (monomyth)

1. The ordinary world 2. The call to adventure The hero is introduced sympathetically so the audience can identify with the situation or dilemma Basically we’re supposed to like the epic hero 2. The call to adventure Something shakes up the situation and the hero has to leave his or her comfort zone

4. Supernatural mentor/helper 3. Refusal of the cALL The hero feels the fear of the unknown and tries to turn away from the adventure 4. Supernatural mentor/helper The hero comes across a seasoned traveler of the worlds who gives him or her training, equipment, or advice that will help on the journey.  Or the hero reaches within to a source of courage and wisdom.

5. Crossing the threshold to the unknown world The hero commits to leaving the Ordinary World and entering a new region or condition with unfamiliar rules and values 6.Tests allies/enemies The hero is tested and sorts out allegiances in the Special World

7. Approach the inmost cave The hero and newfound allies prepare for the major challenge in the Special world 8. The ordeal Near the middle of the story, the hero enters a central space in the Special World and confronts death or faces his or her greatest fear.  Out of the moment of death comes a new life

9. The reward 10. The road back The hero takes possession of the treasure won by facing death.  There may be celebration, but there is also danger of losing the treasure again 10. The road back About three-fourths of the way through the story, the hero is driven to complete the adventure, leaving the Special World to be sure the treasure is brought home.  Often a chase scene signals the urgency and danger of the mission.

11. The resurrection 12. Return with elixir The hero is severely tested once more on the threshold of home.  He or she is purified by a last sacrifice, another moment of death and rebirth, but on a higher and more complete level By the hero’s action, the conflict at the beginning is finally resolved 12. Return with elixir The hero returns home or continues the journey, bearing some element of the treasure that has the power to transform the world as the hero has been transformed.

Can you think of other epic heroes in either movies or books? Modern epic heroes Luke skywalker Harry potter Katniss Everdeen Shrek marlin Frodo Can you think of other epic heroes in either movies or books?