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Beowulf Part 2

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Beowulf Part 2

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  1. CulturalvaluesrepresentedinBeowulf Beowulfincludes examples ofverbal practicesthatshowcasedtheskillof andstimulatedthebraveryofwarriorsinthesetribalsocieties: • Warriors engagedinformalboasting,which were publicvows aboutwhatthey would accomplish inbattle andwhy theywere qualified. • Flyting, which was a public verbal duel betweentwopeople thatinvolvedmaking wittyremarks and insults(almostlike a precursorofrapbattles). • Beowulf countersUnferth’sflytewitha boastabouthowhepreviously succeeded infightingsea monstersand howhevowstoprotecttheDanes from Grendel. • Before BeowulffightsGrendel,another warrior namedUnferthinstigates aflyte inwhichheshareshisdoubtof Beowulf’sabilities. ©2022BritLitWit

  2. LiterarydevicesinBeowulf • Alliteration: therepetitionofthe sameconsonantsoundatthe startof words. Alliterationispresentwithinmanylinesof Beowulf(and sometimes extendsacrossmultiplelines). • “Grendel wasthename ofthisgrimdemon” • “Wulfgarreplied,aWendel chief renownedasawarrior,well knownforhiswisdom” • “Theyhad seenmebolteredintheblood ofenemies whenIbattledandboundfivebeasts…” ©2022BritLitWit

  3. LiterarydevicesinBeowulf • Kenning:acompoundwordthatservesasametaphor.Kennings includedescriptiveimagerythatyouwouldn’tinterpretliterally. Theyoften haveariddle-likequality. • “whale-road”meansocean • “bone-house”meansribcage • “death-shadow”is astand-infor“Grendel” • NotethatnoteverycompoundwordinBeowulfisakenning.Words like“mead-hall,”“battle-equipment,”“broad-beamed,”and“high-gloss” arehyphenatedlikekennings,buttheyaren’tmetaphorical.Theycan be interpretedinastraightforwardway. ©2022BritLitWit

  4. LiterarydevicesinBeowulf • Variation:Restatingthe same situation using different words • One type of variation simply emphasizesfamilialties. • Example: “Beowulf,sonofEcgtheow” • Anothertypeofvariationdescribesthe same eventwith different words. For audiences inancient timeswho were only Example of variation used to describe how Grendel showed up toattack theDanes: “Thenoutofthenightcame the shadow-stalker,stealthyandswift” “Inoffthemoors, downthroughthe mistbandsGod-cursedGrendel camegreedilyloping.” abletolistentothisstorybecauseit hadn’t been writtendown yet,this repetitionadded more contextand suspense. ©2022BritLitWit

  5. LiterarydevicesinBeowulf • Beowulfincludes afewdigressions fromthemainplotinwhichtheactions ofpreviouslyunmentionedcharacters are described. The digressions can seemoutofnowhere, buttheyserve purposesincluding: • Foreshadowing upcoming events • Memorializingtribal history • Celebrating goodleaders(sometimes bycontrastingthemwithbadleaders) • Emphasizing cultural values like the beliefinwyrd ©2022BritLitWit

  6. EpicconventionsinBeowulf An epicisalongnarrative poemthatcelebratesheroicachievementandtransmits valuesofthesocietythatdevelopedit.MostnotableepicconventionsinBeowulf: Story startsinmediasres (i.e. begins in the middle of thingswithoutmuchexposition) Setting covers great distances and many years Presentsaseriesof adventures Characters of high position giveformalspeeches Celebrated hero displays superhumanabilities Supernaturalforces ©2022BritLitWit

  7. Examples of other EPICS are… • Greek “Illiad” and “Odyssey” – Homer

  8. The Hobbit and Lord of the Rings – Tolkien

  9. And of course there’s the EPIC HERO!!!! • EPIC HERO – must undertake a quest to achieve something of tremendous value to himself and his society

  10. SUMMARY OF EPIC FEATURES: • A long narrative poem • Larger than life hero; often with super-human characteristics • Concerns eternal human problems like the struggle between good and evil • Presented in a serious manner using elevated (poetic) language • Hero represents widespread national, cultural, or religious values

  11. Characteristics of an Epic…The following characteristics are shared by most epics, whether they were composed orally or in Middle Ages or last year: • The hero, generally a male, is of noble birth or high position, and often of great historical or legendary importance. • The hero's character traits reflect important ideals of his society. • The hero performs courageous—sometimes even superhuman—deeds that reflect the values of the era. • The actions of the hero often determine the fate of a nation or group of people.

  12. The setting is vast in scope, often involving more than one nation. The poet uses formal diction and a serious tone. Major characters often deliver long, formal speeches. The plot is complicated by supernatural beings or events and may involve a long and dangerous journey through foreign lands. The poem reflects timeless values, such as courage and honor. The poem treats universal themes, such as good and evil or life and d

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