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Beowulf and Epic Poetry

Beowulf and Epic Poetry. Jung and Campbell & The Hero Archetype. Carl Jung and Joseph Campbell developed the idea of the archetype Archetype: A recurring pattern of images, situations, or symbols found in the mythology, religion, art, and dreams of cultures around the world. Joseph Campbell.

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Beowulf and Epic Poetry

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  1. Beowulf and Epic Poetry

  2. Jung and Campbell & The Hero Archetype • Carl Jung and Joseph Campbell developed the idea of the archetype • Archetype: A recurring pattern of images, situations, or symbols found in the mythology, religion, art, and dreams of cultures around the world Joseph Campbell Carl Jung

  3. Archetypal Hero Traits • Unusual Circumstances of Birth • Leaves Family and Lives With Others • Traumatic Event Leads to Quest • Special Weapon • Supernatural Help • Proves Himself on Quest • Journey and Unhealable Wound • Atonement With Father • Spiritual Apotheosis

  4. Unusual Birth • Often in danger or born into royalty • Luke w/ aunt and uncle • Simba born a prince • Moses put in basket

  5. Leaves Family • Raised away from his people • Luke w/ aunt and uncle • Simba w/ Timon and Poobah

  6. Traumatic Event • A hero’s life is changed forever • Luke’s aunt and uncle’s death • Simba fights Nala • Yahweh appears to Moses

  7. Special Weapon • Only the hero can wield his weapon • Luke’s light saber • Moses’ staff • Simba’s ... claws?

  8. Supernatural Help • Hero often has spiritual guidance • Luke hears Obi-Wan Kenobi • Yahweh guides Moses • Simba sees Mufasa in the sky and has Rafiki help him

  9. Proves Himself • Hero performs feats while on Quest • Luke blows up Death Star, leads rebellion • Moses perform miracles • Simba contemplates his life

  10. Journey & Unhealable Wound • Hero descends into a hell-like area and suffers wounding from encounter w/ evil • Symbolically goes where normal humans can’t and finds truth about self

  11. Atonement With Father • Hero either redeems father’s evil deeds or reconciles with father over wrongs done by the hero

  12. Apotheosis • Hero is rewarded spiritually at the end of his life

  13. The Epic • A long narrative poem on a great and serious subject • Centered on a heroic figure on whose actions depends the fate of a tribe, a nation, or the human race.

  14. Traditional Epics • The traditional epics were shaped by a literary artist from historical and legendary materials which had developed in the oral traditions of his nation during a period of expansion and warfare (Beowulf, The Odyssey, The Iliad).

  15. Characteristics of an Epic • 1. It is a long narrative poem that reflects the values of the society that produced it. • 2. The story began in the oral tradition and contains some element of historical accuracy. • 3. It is written in a serious, elevated style. • 4. The author is usually anonymous.

  16. Epic, Continued • 5. It deals with large issues of good versus evil. • 6. It has a hero who is “larger than life”; stronger, braver, and more insightful than the average man. • 7. The hero is on a quest wherein the fate of his tribe, his nation, or the entire human race rests on his shoulders. • 8. Gods or other quasi-divine creatures come to the aid of one side and/or another.

  17. Beowulf • 1. Beowulf survived the monastery fires set by Henry VIII in the 16th century in England. • 2. It is the sole surviving manuscript from what was believed to have been a thriving literary form. • 3. A single manuscript of Beowulf exists in the British Museum in London where it survived a fire in the 18th century.

  18. More about Beowulf • 4. It is an archaeological relic. • 5. It is an aristocratic poem exclusively—concerned with issues of kingship • 6. Traits valued and heralded by the Anglo-Saxons (and seen in Beowulf) included: courage, bravery, strength, loyalty and obedience to one’s lord, generosity, willingness to engage in battle, and the quest for fame.

  19. Pagan Literature • 7. Beowulf originated as a pagan piece in the oral tradition. • 8. Eighth century monks “Christianized” the piece, so it is an interesting hybrid of Christian and non-Christian elements.

  20. And Still More • 9. Beowulf faces three large challenges. (Discuss the significance of the number “3” in the Christian tradition). • 10. The poem begins with a “Song of Creation” celebrating the gifts bestowed by God—then quickly moves to the dark narration of the challenges Beowulf is about to meet. • 11. The sharp and beautiful language of the poem can be attributed to the fact that it began in the oral tradition.

  21. What did Beowulf Sound Like? • http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/british/launch_tl_ages_english.shtml

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