Notes for Beowulf

1. Notes for Beowulf • Epic: A long narrative poem telling about the deeds of a great hero and reflecting the values of the society from which it originated.

2. Epic Characteristics • Tells the story of a hero/leader who is larger than life • Begins by stating the theme of the work • Action is extraordinary—deeds of great valor and super-human courage • Supernatural forces play a part • Vast setting • Combines history, mythology, legend, and folklore

3. Epic Features • Story opens in medias res (in the middle of things) • Cataloging • The banquet • The boast • The battle • The voyage (often to the underworld) • The funeral

4. The Epic Hero • Is significant and glorified • Is on a quest • Is a strong and responsible leader • Has superior or superhuman strength, intelligence, and/or courage • Is devoted to a soldierly code and the expectancy to “kill and get killed” • Extols the heroic virtues—strives for honor and fame, courage and loyalty

5. Beowulf Terms Relating to Beowulf, the Anglo-Saxon Epic

6. Comitatus Steadfast loyalty between the thane and king which is rewarded by treasure

7. Wergild “Man-price” Any Anglo-Saxon who took a life had to pay a price for his deed or accept the revenge of the victim’s family

8. Scop The revered musical poet of the tribe whose job was to recount the history and traditions of his people

9. Thane Means warrior (One of the warrior-class)

10. Caesura In Anglo Saxon poetry, a pause which divides each four-stress line in half which is essential to the rhythm

11. Alliteration The repetition of initial consonant sounds

12. Emphatic Rhythm Strongly expressive rhyme scheme or meter used for emphasis

13. Kenning A metaphorical phrase used in Anglo Saxon poetry to replace a concrete noun “the ring-giver”= king