introduction to epic poetry senior english. early literary influences & historical events

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INTRODUCTION INTRODUCTION to to EPIC POETRY EPIC POETRY Senior English

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INTRODUCTIONINTRODUCTIONtoto

EPIC POETRYEPIC POETRY

Senior English

Early Literary Early Literary Influences & Influences & Historical Historical

EventsEvents

Epic of Epic of GilgameshGilgamesh25002500 BC BC

11 Clay Tablets (story) 12th Tells of his ruling the netherworld

Most important epic poem in human history

Various adventures of hero-king searching for immortality

An account of the flood Characters

Gilgamesh (2/3 god & 1/3 human) Enkidu (wild man)

Summary of Summary of GilgameshGilgamesh

Meets Enkidu (BBF) 1st trip to Land of Cedaes to kill Humbaba

Later slays the Bull of Heaven Angers gods=suffering

Seek Utnapishtim & finds heartache

Returns to Uruk and writes his story

BibleBible 4000 4000 BC- BC- 77 77 AD AD

Judeo-Christian “God” Contains the Old & New Testaments

Missionaries & Crusades

Holy Grail Referenced in a lot of literature

HomerHomer 800 800 BC BC

Did he exist? Creator of the Epic Poems The Iliad and The Odyssey

Most likely a minstrel Traveling singer/storyteller

Poems were oral for centuries before written down

The Trojan WarThe Trojan War 1184 1184 BC/ BC/ 800800 BC BC

(written)(written) Main topic of The Iliad by Homer and latter The Aeneid by Virgil

Achaeans vs. Trojans (10 yrs.) Helen of Troy abducted by Paris

Achilles obtains from war in 10th yr. kills Hector the Trojan Prince

Wooden horse City captured Helen returned to Menelaus

The OdysseyThe Odyssey 800 800 BC BC

Tale of Odysseus 10 yrs. in Trojan War 10 yrs. to get home Presumed dead wife Penelope fighting off suitors

Consists of 24 books

More about this one later…

Naturalis Naturalis Historia, Historia, 1st Encyclopedia1st Encyclopedia

77 77 AD AD Written by Gaius Plinius Cecilius Secundus (a.k.a. Pliny the Elder)

37 Book 1st has preface & tables of contents

List of authorities Published 1st 10 himself Very little revision if any

The Adventures The Adventures of Beowulfof Beowulf 650 650 AD AD

1st Epic Poem written in English, Old English

Author Unknown Adventure of a great Scandinavian warrior

1 manuscript survived the monastery destruction by Henry VIII (more on this latter)

Historic Historic BackgroundBackground

Geats & Danes Accurately reflects the time period (6th century)

Angles, Saxons, & Jutes Germanic Code

Comitatus- of loyalty •Sworn loyalty to king = gifts

Feudal System

Historic Historic Background Cont.Background Cont. Women were thought of as holy Belief in fate

Biblical references relate to Old Testament

Author most likely Christian

Scops- composers & storytellers

Geneology of Geneology of Geats, Danes, Geats, Danes, and Swedesand Swedes

Main CharactersMain Characters

Beowulf Dragon Grendel & Mother Higlac Hrothgar Shild Unferth Welthow Wiglaf

Time and PlaceTime and Place

Set in Denmark and Geatland

6th Century Herot- meadhall

What is Epic What is Epic Poetry?Poetry?

Long narrative poem Written in an elevated style

Celebrates the deed of a legendary hero or god

Literary DevicesLiterary Devices

Alliteration-- repetition of of similar sounds especially initial consonant or stressed syllable (eg. “Shild’s strong son” [23, line 19])

Metaphor- comparison between two similar things

Simile- Comparison using “like or as”

Literary Devices Literary Devices Cont.Cont.

Epithet- brief phrase characterizes a person place or thing (eg. “the Lord or all Life”, “the Rule of glory,” “the Lord of heaven and earth”)

Kenning- two-word metaphorical name for something (eg. “sea-road” for ocean [30, line 239])

Literary Literary ElementsElements

Internal Conflict- Struggle that takes place within the mind of a character who is torn between opposing feelings and desires

External Conflict- When a character struggles against some outside force… Person, nature, society, or fate.

JournalJournal

Life is full of conflicts. For each of the types of conflict write a paragraph that gives details about your personal experience.

Vocabulary Into. Vocabulary Into. & Part II& Part II

1. Liegemen (intro.)

2. Liegelord (intro.)

3. Anon (intro.)4. Brook (intro.)5. Thane (intro.)6. Fell (intro.) 7. Arms (intro.)8. Laments

(intro.)9. Pyre (intro.)10.Dulcet (Ln.36)

11.Winsome (Ln.40)

12.Lavish (Ln. 42)

13.Lusture / luster (Ln.42)

14.Embellish (Ln. 43)

15.Malice (Ln. 49)

16. Vengeance (Ln. 56)

17. Atone (Ln. 58)

18.Meter (Ln. 59)

19.Grapple (Ln. 62)

20.Requital (Ln.62)

Origin, define word, part of speech, different forms of word, and write a sentence using it

VilliansVillians

Journal Entry: Make a chart like the one below and fill it in with examples from today’s villians.VillainousDeeds

Enemies

Powers/

Abilities

Plots

Part I-II Part I-II SummarySummary

Genology of the ruling Danes

Grendel awakes because of the construction of Herot.

Description of Description of GrendelGrendel

Adjectives, adverbs, and allusions play a vital role in the description of Grendel.

Read the excerpt from book II Highlight all the adjectives and adverbs that pertain to the monster.

Write a description of the beast in your own words using as many adjectives and adverbs as you can.

Illustrate how you see Grendel in your minds eye.

Wocabulary Part Wocabulary Part IIIIII

1. Reposing (Ln.4)

2. Surfeit (Ln. 11)

3. Sallying (Ln. 11.)

4. Repose (Ln. 25)

5. Grievous (Ln. 51)

6. Affliction (56)

7. Earnestly (Ln. 61)

8. Shrines (Ln. 60)

9. Oppression (Ln. 63)

10.Heathen (Ln. 64)

11.Wax (Ln. 72)

Origin, define word, part of speech, different forms of word, and write a sentence using it

Part III ?sPart III ?s

Read Part III & answer the following:

1. What happens during Grendel’s first visit to Hererot?

2. When does this occur? Describe the scene.

3. How long does Grendel haunt Herot?

HeroesHeroes

Journal Entry: Make a chart like the one below and fill it in with examples from today’s heroes.HeroicDeeds

Enemies

Powers/

Abilities

Virtues

Part IV-XI Part IV-XI SummarySummary

In Geatland Beowulf hears of Grendel

Sails with 14 men to Danish Shore

Wulfgar takes them to Hrothgar

Vocabulary Part Vocabulary Part XI-XIIIXI-XIII

XIW Implicitly(Ln.

8)1. Defiance

(Ln.14)2. Bereave (Ln.

19)3. Ravished (Ln.

35)

XII5. Welkin (Ln. 6)6. Providence

(Ln. 25)7. Weaned (Ln.

70)8. Resplendent

(Ln. 72)

XIII

9.Mirth (Ln. 18)

10.Sinews (Ln. 26)

11.Fen (Ln. 28)

12. Marshes (Ln.28)

13.Prowess (Ln. 37)

Origin, define word, part of speech, different forms of word, and write a sentence using it

Part XI-XIII ?sPart XI-XIII ?s

Beowulf and his men move into Herot for the night while Hrothgar sleeps peacefully. What is Beowulf’s boast?

What do Beowulf’s men think of their chances against Grendel?

How does Grendel respond when he comes to Herot? Describe his reaction to seeing the sleeping Geats.

What happens when Grendel reaches for Beowulf?

Describe the struggles that ensues between Beowulf and Grendel.

Part XII-XIII ?s Part XII-XIII ?s Cont.Cont.

What happens when Beowulf’s men attack Grendel? Account for this outcome to their efforts.

At the conclusion of the battle between Beowulf and Grendel, what transpires?

On the morning following the battle, describe the reactions of Hrothgar’s people.

Describe the lake into which Grendel vanished.

GrendelGrendel by John Gardner by John Gardner Book written from the perspective of the monster

JournalJournal

There are always two sides to every story, now that you read an excerpt from Grendel, do you sympathize with the monster? Why or why not? Did the story change your perspective on Beowulf?

Odysseus the Odysseus the Greek Epic HeroGreek Epic Hero

A.K.A. Ulysses Roman Name

As you read take notes on the key points of the story; you will find them necessary for an essay.

EssayEssay

Write a 4-5 paragraph essay that compares the two epic heroes that you have read about in class. You can approach the essay from many angles some questions to consider:

1. Which hero do you think is better?

2. How do they fight and win their battles?

3. What is their attitude like?