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Beowulf is an epic. An epic is a long poem about a larger than life hero. Characteristics of an epic:. A loyal hero with great strength. Broad setting which includes upper and lower worlds. The hero does great deeds or goes on long journeys. Supernatural beings are involved.
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Beowulf is an epic An epic is a long poem about a larger than life hero.
Characteristics of an epic: • A loyal hero with great strength. • Broad setting which includes upper and lower worlds. • The hero does great deeds or goes on long journeys. • Supernatural beings are involved. • Poetic language.
Epic Hero • Characteristics of the Epic Hero: • Super strong – a man of stature or nobility (but still mortal) • Reflects the values or heroic ideals of his society • Extremely loyal to his leader and people. • Brave and courageous. • Victorious in battle – never gives up • Selflessly fights evil to rid society of danger. • Has a god-fashioned weapon • Receives help from the gods • Is glorified by the people he saves
Why is Beowulf Special? • Oldest surviving epic in British Literature. • Written in Old English between 700-750. • Depicts life in Anglo-Saxon times.
Beowulf, The Manuscript • Story passed down through oral tradition. • Was later written down by two scribes. • Dates back to 1000 CE. • Exists in a single Anglo-Saxon manuscript. • A fire in 1731 damaged it. • First translated into Latin in 1815. • Translated into Modern English in 1837. • The British Library in London now owns it.
A peek at OldEnglish N:\My documents\Department Documents\English IV\1st six weeks - anglo-saxon, Beowulf\Beowulf\Beowulf Prologue in Old English.mht
What is Old English? • It is also called Anglo-Saxon. • It is a mixture of Celtic, Roman and Anglo-Saxon. • It was spoken for a period of 700 years – from Anglo-Saxon invasion (5th century) until 1066 when the Normans invaded. • It has Germanic origin; eg, compare the modern Good day to Old English’s “Gódne dæg” and to the German’s “Guten Tag.”
The Anglo-Saxon folk tale originated from oral tradition, sung by a harpist-bard for kings and their guests in great halls to entertain and to encourage the values of the tribe: • 1. Honoring courage over long life. • 2. Enjoying feasting, storytelling, and music. • 3.Viewing life fatalistically, even within the Christian tradition. • 4. Admiring physical strength more than mental acuity. • 5. Valuing loyalty to the lord or king above all.
The Setting • The story is set in 6th Century Scandinavia. • It has a historical perspective, recording the culture and beliefs of the period. • Beowulf’s kingdom would have been what is now Southern Sweden North Sea BalticSea
The Story Beowulf tackles three enemies: • He fights and kills the monster Grendel. • He fights and kills Grendel’s mother. • He fights and kills the Dragon
Recurring Themes The importance of establishing identity (family lineage.) Loyalty to one’s king and people is paramount Heroic deeds are rewarded – Fame can be achieved Good vs. Evil. – When humans remain loyal and sacrifice for those in need, even though it may be painful, good will triumph over evil.
Code of Ethics • A code of conduct that called for a close allegiance between a leader and his followers. • Loyalty and bravery were rewarded with treasure and armor. • One’s rich armor was viewed as a symbol of one’s success and bravery in battle.
Literary Devices in Beowulf Alliteration - repetition of initial consonant sounds in neighboring words: eg, sweet smell of success, a dime a dozen, jump for joy. • In Beowulf, there are three alliterations in every line: “Now Beowulf bode in the burg of the Scyldings, leader beloved, and long he ruled in fame with all folk since his father had gone…”
Literary Devices in Beowulf Kenning - a literary device in which a noun is renamed in a creative way using a compound word or union of two separate words to combine ideas. • Examples: • Whale-road (sea) • Ring-giver (king) • Battle-friend (arrow) • Bone house (body)
Literary Devices in Beowulf • Caesura: rhythm created by pauses. Usually in the first half of a line there will be two alliterated sounds and then a pause, followed by another alliterated sound. Ex: 5:218 “And then, in the morning, this mead-hall glittering/”
… and finally • We have epic poems to: • record and chronicle one’s heroic deeds. • preserve history. • achieve immortality. • reward courage and loyalty. • entertain and flatter.