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 CampbellJoseph Campbell

Carl JungCarl Jung

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

Unusual Birth

Often in danger or born into royalty Luke w/ aunt and uncle Simba born a prince Moses put in basket

Leaves Family

Raised away from his people Luke w/ aunt and

uncle Simba w/ Timon and

Poobah

Traumatic Event

A hero’s life is changed forever Luke’s aunt and

uncle’s death Simba fights Nala Yahweh appears to

Moses

Special Weapon

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

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

Proves Himself

Hero performs feats while on Quest Luke blows up Death

Star, leads rebellion Moses perform miracles Simba contemplates his

life

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

Atonement With Father

Hero either redeems father’s evil deeds or reconciles with father over wrongs done by the hero

Apotheosis

Hero is rewarded spiritually at the end of his life

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.

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).

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

What did Beowulf Sound Like?

http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/british/launch_tl_ages_english.shtml