1. Epics
History
Culture

2. All cultures seem to have epics.

3. Epic of Gilgamesh from ancient Mesopotamia

4. The Iliad and The Odyssey from the Mediterranean

5. Táin Bó Cúailnge from Ireland

6. Beowulf from Anglo-Saxon England

7. Purposes To tell the deeds of a hero
To illustrate the most important values of the culture

8. Elements Valorous hero Quest Supernatural forces Elevated style
In medias res (in the middle of things)
Invocation of a Muse

9. Definition
An epic is a long, narrative poem that tells the adventures of a hero.

10. Burton Raffel introduces Beowulf
Read 36 and 37.
What qualities make Beowulf such an extraordinarily heroic figure?