1. The Epic Poem and Beowulf An epic poem is a long narrative piece in an elevated style (using dignified language), celebrating heroic deeds and events significant to a culture or nation.

2. The hero has a magnificent presence and holds mythical and legendary importance The setting covers vast geographical distances, including many oceans, nations, and supernatural realms The conflicts require the hero to perform deeds of superhuman courage, especially in battle Supernatural forces are perpetually at work throughout the epic The style of the epic is ceremonial, often with long, formal speeches The story opens “in media res”, invokes a Muse (a goddess who inspires creativity), and uses heavy repetition Epic Poem Characteristics

3. Epic Hero Characteristics Unusual circumstances surround the hero’s noble birth He often possesses supernatural abilities or qualities The hero is on a journey or quest where his worthiness is tested He encounters women who hinder his progress He interacts with mythical beings and has human and animal helpers and companions

4. Epic Hero Characteristics The hero’s travels take him to supernatural worlds—even the underworld—that mortals are forbidden from entering The hero reaches a low point where he gives up or is apparently defeated This nadir (an emotional or physical low point) is followed by a resurrection The journey ends with the restoration of the hero to his rightful place on the throne

5. Beowulf author unknown stems from Anglo-Saxon tradition Term “Anglo-Saxon” generally refers to the people who came to Britain from the regions surrounding the North Sea, including present-day Denmark and the northern coasts of Germany, Netherlands, and France In addition to the early English people, Anglo-Saxon also refers to the language spoken by these people Since the Anglo-Saxon people immigrated to Britain from the Norse regions, it logically follows that Beowulf would leave Britain to perform his tasks in Scandinavia (Denmark, Norway, Sweden)

6. Extended Anglo Saxon History Romans invaded Britain in AD43 For 400 years southern Britain was part of the Roman world Last Roman soldiers left Britain in AD 410 and then new people came in ships across the North Sea Historians call them Anglo-Saxons: mixture of people from north Germany, Denmark and northern Holland Most were Saxons, Angles and Jutes (some Franks and Frisians too) Saxons, Franks and Frisians were German-Dutch, the Angles were southern Danish, and Jutes were northern Danish http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/primaryhistory/anglo_saxons/who_were_the_anglo-saxons/

7. Extended Anglo Saxon History considered barbarians by Romans most were farmers, and many were sailors built wooden ships for trade and exploration lived in groups in villages held Pagan beliefs (belief in many gods and goddesses), as opposed to those in Roman Britain who were Christian also superstitious and believed in lucky charms either cremated or buried with belongings

8. Extended Anglo Saxon History enjoyed storytelling (often accompanied by a lyre), large feasts, and riddles Vikings attacked Anglo-Saxon Britain in AD700s Anglo-Saxon era over after many Viking raids and the Norman conquest (Duke William of Normandy invaded England)

9. Extended Anglo Saxon History

10. S Sutton Hoo

11. Beowulf Kennings-compressed metaphors found in poetry (strongly associated with the Old Norse, Icelandic, and Anglo-Saxon languages) appear as hyphenated, compound words that employ figurative language in place of one-word concrete nouns ex: whale-road (the sea) Alliteration (repetition of consonant sounds in subsequent words or phrases)

12. Beowulf

13. Poem written in Old English https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PzmmPRG4smU Protagonist and epic hero Beowulf comes to the aid of the Danish people, battles supernatural beings, and returns home to be celebrated Written after the later Christian conversion of the Anglo- Saxon people; epic poem contains both Pagan and Christian ideals

14. Themes good vs. evil identity pride and shame strength and skill wyrd: Anglo-Saxon word for fate and personal destiny