BeowulfBeowulfThe Epic HeroThe Epic Hero

On BeowulfOn Beowulf Beowulf is the only full length epic in Beowulf is the only full length epic in

any of the old Germanic languages.any of the old Germanic languages. The poem presents the warrior’s The poem presents the warrior’s

world in the early part of the medieval world in the early part of the medieval period.period.

This world is a world of adventure, This world is a world of adventure, courage, bravery, harshness, and courage, bravery, harshness, and blood.blood.

Celto-Germanic PeopleCelto-Germanic People Large, light-complexioned, fair-hairedLarge, light-complexioned, fair-haired Virtues: courage, loyalty, generosity, Virtues: courage, loyalty, generosity,

hospitality, prudence, high degree of hospitality, prudence, high degree of moralitymorality

Vices: ate greatly, drank deeply, Vices: ate greatly, drank deeply, gambled seriously, raped widely, but gambled seriously, raped widely, but were ultimately pessimistic about the were ultimately pessimistic about the afterlifeafterlife

- - hence the dark and melancholy - - hence the dark and melancholy spirit of Beowulfspirit of Beowulf

Epic ElementsEpic Elements The Hero: The Hero:

- a figure of heroic stature, of national or - a figure of heroic stature, of national or international importance, and of great international importance, and of great historical or legendary significance. historical or legendary significance. - an individual who surpasses all others - an individual who surpasses all others in strength, courage, and ability, esp. in in strength, courage, and ability, esp. in battle. battle. - makes personal sacrifices in order to - makes personal sacrifices in order to fulfill his duties to societyfulfill his duties to society

The Setting: vast, covering great The Setting: vast, covering great nations, the world, the universenations, the world, the universe

The Action: consisted of deeds of The Action: consisted of deeds of great valor or requiring superhuman great valor or requiring superhuman courage, strength, and ability. courage, strength, and ability. Superhuman forces—gods, angels, Superhuman forces—gods, angels, demons, monsters—intervene in the demons, monsters—intervene in the action.action.

The Style: sustained elevation and grand The Style: sustained elevation and grand simplicitysimplicity

Begins Begins in medias resin medias res (in the middle of (in the middle of things). things). Earlier episodes may be recalled in flashbacks.Earlier episodes may be recalled in flashbacks. As an oral epic, passages may be repeated, As an oral epic, passages may be repeated, making them easier to remember.making them easier to remember. Oral epic emphasizes heroic deeds, prowess, Oral epic emphasizes heroic deeds, prowess,

and fame.and fame.

Ideals in Ideals in BeowulfBeowulf Courage and honorCourage and honor Devotion to dutyDevotion to duty GenerosityGenerosity Loyalty between menLoyalty between men Kingly behaviorKingly behavior Both pagan and Christian beliefs and Both pagan and Christian beliefs and

practices are present.practices are present. The heroic and Christian traditions The heroic and Christian traditions

coexist.coexist.

Form and RhythmForm and Rhythm Germanic poetry is alliterative.Germanic poetry is alliterative. The line is a metrical unit: two halves The line is a metrical unit: two halves

are separated by a caesura or a well are separated by a caesura or a well marked pause.marked pause.

Half lines contain two strong accents Half lines contain two strong accents and a variable number of unaccented and a variable number of unaccented syllables; halves are bound by syllables; halves are bound by alliteration.alliteration.

Vowels also alliterate.Vowels also alliterate.

End rhyme is rare and the verse is End rhyme is rare and the verse is relatively freerelatively free

This structure provides the scop the This structure provides the scop the opportunity for hurrying over long opportunity for hurrying over long lines and drawing out short ones like lines and drawing out short ones like modern singers.modern singers.

Stylistic DevicesStylistic Devices Heiti – a one word substitute for an Heiti – a one word substitute for an

ordinary noun. Ex: ash or wood for spearordinary noun. Ex: ash or wood for spear Kennings – a two-word circumlocution for Kennings – a two-word circumlocution for

an ordinary noun (compound noun or an ordinary noun (compound noun or hyphenated phrase). Ex: shield-bearer hyphenated phrase). Ex: shield-bearer or spear-fighter for soldier; gold-friend, or spear-fighter for soldier; gold-friend, war-chief, protector of the people, ring war-chief, protector of the people, ring giver for king.giver for king.

Litotes [lit a teez] – an affirmative Litotes [lit a teez] – an affirmative expressed by the negation of its expressed by the negation of its opposite. Ex: “This is no small opposite. Ex: “This is no small problem.”problem.”

Litotes are a form of understatement.Litotes are a form of understatement.

Dating and SettingDating and Setting Some critics believe the manuscript of Some critics believe the manuscript of

BeowulfBeowulf was written c. 1000 by an unknown was written c. 1000 by an unknown poet, monk, or scop. poet, monk, or scop.

Others place it between 6-11C. Others place it between 6-11C. The setting is Denmark and southern The setting is Denmark and southern

Sweden. Sweden. The poet goes beyond the heroic and shows The poet goes beyond the heroic and shows

sympathy for the old heroes and their sympathy for the old heroes and their suffering without Christian consolation.suffering without Christian consolation.