2. What lit devices are employed by epic?
Essential Questions:
What is an epic?
What is an epic hero?
What lit devices are employed by epic?
What role do history & culture play in an epic?
What elements of epic are evident in Beowulf?

3. Beowulf’s Genre = Epic
Epic – long narrative poem
Epics were the first ‘history books’!
Your goal is to separate fact from fiction as you read Beowulf.
Therefore, you need to know the facts (Anglo-Saxon History)

4. Unrestrained; wild; destructive; violent frenzy

5. Berserk – (Berserkers):
fierce warriors - fought in
a trance like state;
unstoppable fury
wore the pelt
of a wolf or bear
Odin’s distinguished
warriors

6. EQ: What role does history & culture play in an epic?
Berserk – (Berserkers) Reference in Anglo-Saxon Literature:
“His (Odin's) men rushed forwards without amour, were as mad as dogs or wolves, bit their shields, and killed people at a blow…This was called Berserk-gang.[4]”

7. The Tree of Life (souls)
Wyrd - Fate or personal destiny
"to become or to be due”
similar to karma
an Anglo-Saxon’s ‘reputation’
The Tree of Life (souls)

8. Memento Mori – ‘remember death’
EQ: What role does history & culture play in an epic?
Memento Mori – ‘remember death’
no afterlife; therefore, achieve immortality
by accomplishments
(preserve soul) through reputation

9. Adoration – to regard with the utmost esteem, love, and respect; to
honor and idolize
The goal of Anglo Saxon society was to
attain adoration and fame in order to
obtain immortality
Methods = poem, statue,
jewelry, memorial,…

11. Scop – Anglo-Saxon Poet - Memorized epic poems and delivered
EQ: What role does history & culture play in an epic?
Scop – Anglo-Saxon Poet
- Memorized epic poems and delivered
them at the Mead Hall
- ‘Preserved’ the souls of past warriors

12. EPIC HERO – see handout
* Hero undertakes a great quest which relates to society’s values
* Must battle a great monster
* Must pay homage to a god/gods
(Fate/ Wyrd)
* Has Superhuman strength / skill / wit
* Of Noble birth or rises to nobility (sometimes a mystery)
* Although superhuman, he is mortal
* Usually has a great weapon

14. Our language and literature today is greatly inspired by the warring tribes of Early England
Beowulf is considered the first work in English
( A.D. )
It is an Anglo-Saxon epic poem
Epics contain a given group’s culture and history

15. They were Germanic tribes –“guns for hire” –
Actually this term is used to describe a culture
composed of the Anglos, Saxons, Jutes, and Geats
They were Germanic tribes –“guns for hire” –
mercenaries who were brutal, ruthless, scavengers
Hired by the Romans – double cross
They stay and take control!

16. Tribal Life – small clans; armies (loyalty and strength most important)
Although vicious they had values = (comitatus)
Killing a fellow member of one’s tribe was the worst possible crime (wergild)
‘Brother-slayer’

17. Druids – deep pagan roots
(Anglos mix with Britons – Druids)
Feasts, ceremonies, magic, animism
Druids painted their bodies blue before battle
Human / animal sacrifice and effigy

18. Extremely spiritual and violent
Limited concept of an afterlife
need fame to live on = “momento mori”
Reputation = eternal life

19. Riddles – beauty in mystery = quickness of
mind = intellectual strength
Boast – confidence was very important
must be able to back up claims
Flyting a poetic “rap” battle in which two prominent characters verbally square- off

20. Riddles
Four dilly-dandies Four stick standies Two crookers Two lookers And a wig wag) What AM I ?