1. EpIcgenreEpIcgenreEpIcgenreEpIcgenre ANGLOSAXONSANGLOSAXONSANGLOSAXONSANGLOSAXONS

2. Epic A long, narrative poem that recounts the adventures of a legendary hero in pursuit of a goal of great importance. The accomplishments reflect the values of the hero’s culture.

3. FOLK EPICS In ancient times, stories were recited and passed down orally much like the Greeks did with mythology. These stories were eventually written down. LITERARY EPICS These stories were written by individual authors, but they still followed the style and patterns of the folk epic.

4. How To Recognize an Epic…

5. 1. An Epic will begin with an INVOCATION OF THE MUSE Begin the story by asking for divine inspiration

6. 2. An Epic will begin IN MEDIAS RES “in the middle of things ”

7. 3. An epic includes the performance of deeds

8. 4. An epic includes supernatural elements

9. 5. An epic covers a vast setting

10. 6. The tone of an epic is serious

11. Vocabulary: Danes Also referred to as Scyldings. People from Denmark

12. Vocabulary: Geats Also referred to as Weder-folk Germanic people from southern Sweden

13. Main character and Hero in Beowulf…

14. Beowulf Protagonist and epic hero A Geat (from Sweden) Mythological king and epic warrior Relies on bravery, strength, and skill Represents all the values of society as a warrior and wise king

15. Grendel Half monster and half man Referred to as the “march- stepper” or “walker of desolate places” Feared by all except Beowulf Said to be a descendent of Cain who exists for revenge

16. Grendel’s Mother One of three antagonists to Beowulf Female monster Foil to other female characters Not Named or referred to as Dam

17. The Dragon An ancient, powerful serpent Guards a treasure in a hidden cave Beowulf fights the dragon in the final part of the epic

18. King Hrothgar King of the DanesKing of the Danes Thriving kingdom and successful militaryThriving kingdom and successful military Kingdom is terrorized by GrendelKingdom is terrorized by Grendel Model king for BeowulfModel king for Beowulf

19. Unferth Danish warrior Jealous of Beowulf Unwilling to fight Grendel Foil to Beowulf Major trait: pride and resentment

20. Wiglaf Loyal friend and model of a good thane Demonstrates the importance of heroism and loyalty to a lord in order to survive Helps slay the dragon and inherits the kingdom

21. Other characters and how they are related to Beowulf

22. Setting… The main action of the story is set around 500 A.D. in Denmark and SW Sweden. The narrative also recounts historical events that happened much earlier.

23. Beowulf Background Although Anglo-Saxon England had long become Christianized, this poem is concerned with social issues not religious issues. The message is that men must learn to behave responsibly and to show love and loyalty to each other.

24. Beowulf is the longest and greatest surviving Anglo- Saxon poem. By the time the work was actually composed, it had been an oral narrative for many years. The narrator is a Christian who is telling the story of pagan times.

25. The plot of the poem concerns Scandinavian culture, but much of the poem’s narrative reveals that the poet’s culture was somewhat different from that of his ancestors, and that of his characters as well.

26. At times, you will see a discrepancy between the world in which the story takes place to the time and culture it was written in.

27. Pagan Ideas in Beowulf stories about life ruled by fate and the fight against monsters. Christian Ideas in Beowulf human beings had the choice between good and evil

28. The story was not written down until about 700-1000 A.D. in England. The only manuscript preserved was written in 1000 A.D. Events recorded in Beowulf happened 200 years before the poem was written, and 250 years elapsed before our existing manuscript was copied down. The Manuscript

29. Themes Heroic Code of HonorHeroic Code of Honor Bravery and LoyaltyBravery and Loyalty Reputation and HeritageReputation and Heritage Pagan and Christian valuesPagan and Christian values Model of a King and WarriorModel of a King and Warrior Envy and RevengeEnvy and Revenge

30. Literary Techniques Alliteration Alliteration: the repetition of initial sounds (“wyrm wohbogen wealdan ne moste” or “mighty man”)

31. Literary Techniques Caesura Caesura: rhythmic breaks in the middle of lines, where the person reciting could pause for breath.

32. Literary Techniques Kennings Kennings: signifying a person or thing by a characteristic or quality. Bone-House= Body Flashing Light= Sword Whale-Road= Sea Brow-Stars= Eyes Sea-Steeds= Ships