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(Everything you wanted to know about epic poetry but were afraid to ask!)

The Epic. (Everything you wanted to know about epic poetry but were afraid to ask!). The Epic. A long, narrative poem told in an exalted style (grand manner) that tells of the exploits and adventures of a hero Oral Tradition

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(Everything you wanted to know about epic poetry but were afraid to ask!)

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  1. The Epic (Everything you wanted to know about epic poetry but were afraid to ask!)

  2. The Epic • A long, narrative poem told in an exalted style (grand manner) that tells of the exploits and adventures of a hero • Oral Tradition • the way a culture passed on its history, legends, myths, and stories from one generation to the next • essential means of archiving history before printing and mass media • often includes rhythm, rhyme, and repetition

  3. The Epic • Significant to a particular race or culture--part of a given culture’s history and mythology • Often based in literal truth • Reveal that culture’s value and belief systems and character • Certain elements may be universal, transcending cultural, geographical, and historical boundaries

  4. Beowulf as Epic: Anglo-SaxonScops • Professional tribal poets • Celebrated cultural values by singing epics on occasions of great ceremony and festivity • Presented the stories, legends, myths, values, belief systems, and histories of the Anglo-Saxon culture • Passed them down from one generation to the next

  5. Beowulf as Epic: Scops • Fulfilled  many roles in an Anglo Saxon tribe: • court singer • tribal historian • genealogist • teacher • composer • critic • warrior • traveler and reporter

  6. Beowulf as Epic • Cultural values embodied in Beowulf: • Loyalty • Valor (courage, bravery) • Selflessness (willingness to sacrifice self for the good of the people) • Justice

  7. Beowulf as Epic • Prevailing philosophies & religious beliefs evident in Beowulf: • Uneasy mix of Christian and pagan elements (images, symbols, beliefs) • Incl. fatalism: a belief that humans are not in control of their own destinies; Fate is.

  8. Archetypes • Universal symbols that transcend boundaries of culture, time and geography • Part of humanity’s collective unconscious (Carl Jung) • Examples include certain-- • Images (sun, water, circle, tree, serpent, garden, desert) • Colors (red, green, blue, white, black) • Numbers (3, 4, 7) • Character types (The Good Mother, The Wise Old Man, The Hero)

  9. Archetypes--Sun • Sun (fire and sky) • creative energy • consciousness • father principle • passage of time and life • Rising sun • birth; creation; enlightenment • Setting sun • death

  10. Archetypes--Water • Mysteries of creation • Birth-death-resurrection cycles • Purification and redemption • Sea • mother of all life • timelessness and eternity • River • death and rebirth (baptism) • transitional phases of the life cycle

  11. Archetypes--Colors • Red: blood, sacrifice, violent passion; disorder • Green: (Positive) growth; hope; fertility; (Negative) death and decay • Blue: highly positive, associated with truth, religious feeling, security, spiritual purity • Black: (darkness) chaos, mystery, the unknown; death; the unconscious • White: (Positive) light, purity, innocence; timelessness; (Negative) death, terror, emptiness, blinding truth of mystery

  12. Archetypes--Circle • Circle (Sphere): wholeness, unity • Egg (oval): the mystery of life and forces of generation • Wheel--symbol of fortune, fate • Yang-Yin: a Chinese symbol; represents the union of opposite forces--(Jungian theory of anima and animus) • Yang: masculine principle; light; activity; the conscious mind • Yin: female principle; darkness; passivity; the unconscious

  13. More Archetypal Images • Serpent • Evil • Corruption • Sensuality • Destruction • The unconscious • The Garden • Paradise • Innocence • Unspoiled beauty • Fertility

  14. More Archetypal Images • Desert • Spiritual aridity (dryness) • Emptiness • Hopelessness (Wasteland) • Tree • Life; consistence and growth • Proliferation • Immortality; generation and regeneration

  15. Archetypes--Numbers • Three (3) • Spiritual awareness and unity • Example: the Holy Trinity • Male principle • Four (4) • Associated with circle and earth (four corners) • Life cycle (four seasons) • Female principle • Seven (7):Most potent of all symbolic numbers • Union of 3 & 4 • Completion of a cycle; perfect order

  16. Archetypes--Character Types • The Good Mother (positive qualities of E.M.) • associated with life principle • represents birth, warmth, nourishment • represents protection and abundance • Examples: • Mother Nature--the earth mother • Demeter/Ceres • Marmie March (from Little Women) • Captain Planet--Gaia • Cinderella--Fairy godmother • Star Wars--Anakin Skywalker’s mother(?)

  17. Archetypes--Character Types • The Terrible Mother (negative qualities of E.M.) • femme fatale • witch, sorceress, siren, whore, seductress • associated with fear, sensuality, danger, darkness, emasculation, death • Examples: Delilah • Cinderella--evil stepmother • Hera • any soap opera • The Little Mermaid--Ursula

  18. Archetypes--Character Types • The Soul Mate • Sophia figure--associated with spiritual wisdom • Holy mother • Princess or “beautiful lady” • Incarnation of inspiration and spiritual fulfillment • Jungian anima (completion) • Examples: • Wizard of Oz--Glenda the Good Witch • Star Wars--Princess Leia • Blue woman (Diva) in The Fifth Element

  19. Archetypes--Character Types • The Wise Old Man • savior, redeemer, guru figure • personification of the spiritual principle • represents knowledge, reflection, insight, wisdom, cleverness and intuition • also represents moral qualities such as goodwill, readiness to help • the sagacious and helpful old man • Examples: Obiwan Kenobi, Yoda, Merlin, Gandolf, Mr. Miyagi, Splinter, Rafiki, Teiresius

  20. Archetypes--Character Types • The Hero Archetypes (archetypes of transformation and redemption) • Hero’s Initiation (from ignorance and immaturity to social and spiritual adulthood) • Separation • Transformation • Return • Examples: Huck Finn, The Lion King, Luke Skywalker, Ebeneezer Scrooge, Overboard, The Prodigal Son

  21. Archetypes--Character Types • The Sacrificial Scapegoat • the hero with whom the welfare of the tribe or nation is identified • must die to atone for the people’s sins and to restore the land to fruitfulness • Examples: Braveheart--William Wallace, Jesus, Maximus of Gladiator, Somersby, Bruce Willis’ character in Armageddon

  22. The Hero Archetype • The Hero’s Quest • Undertakes a long journey • Must perform impossible tasks and overcome insurmountable obstacles • Has an important goal to achieve • Is often a savior, deliverer figure

  23. Other Archetypal Motifs • Creation • Immortality • Battle of Good v. Evil

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