the epic, epic hero, and beowulf

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The Epic, Epic Hero, and Beowulf Anglo-Saxon England

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The Epic, Epic Hero, and Beowulf. Anglo-Saxon England. Epic Hero. Superhero Brave, strong, good Usually high social status Important in his people’s history “Larger-than-life” (Superman, ex) Embodies the ideals of his people. The Epic Tale. LONG narrative poem Formal language - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

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Page 1: The Epic, Epic Hero, and  Beowulf

The Epic, Epic Hero, and Beowulf

Anglo-Saxon England

Page 2: The Epic, Epic Hero, and  Beowulf

Epic Hero

• Superhero

• Brave, strong, good

• Usually high social status

• Important in his people’s history

• “Larger-than-life” (Superman, ex)

• Embodies the ideals of his people

Page 3: The Epic, Epic Hero, and  Beowulf

The Epic Tale

• LONG narrative poem

• Formal language

• Tells the story of the Epic Hero

• Most not written; told by storytellers, called scops and gleemen (or “singers of tales”), probably accompanied by music

• Very few complete written epics survive

Page 4: The Epic, Epic Hero, and  Beowulf

Plots of Epics Involve

• Supernatural events

• Long time periods; Distant journeys

• Life & death struggles between good and evil

• Hero: ALWAYS REPRESENTS GOOD

• Forces that threaten the people: ALWAYS REPRESENT EVIL

• Defeat of evil determines fate of nation

Page 5: The Epic, Epic Hero, and  Beowulf

The Anglo-Saxon Epic Hero:

• Anglo-Saxon ideals for hero:

-courage

-physical strength

-loyalty to tribe or king

-wisdom

-supreme self-confidence

Page 6: The Epic, Epic Hero, and  Beowulf

Beowulf

• Set in: 6th or 7th century (500s-600s a.d.)

“Imagine a time when tribes from Europe regularly raided one another’s shores to loot and burn each other’s settlements; when great warriors feasted, drank, and bragged of their bloody conquests in huge mead halls…; when kings bestowed riches upon their braves warriors to retain their allegiance; when people believed in monsters and dragons” (Glencoe British Literature, 43).

Page 7: The Epic, Epic Hero, and  Beowulf

Beowulf

• Place: NOT ENGLAND

• Set in Scandinavia

• Involves:

The Geats-tribe from southern Sweden

The Danes-tribe from Denmark

Page 8: The Epic, Epic Hero, and  Beowulf

Why is it considered English?

• Scandinavians were part of the Anglo-Saxons

• When Anglo-Saxons settled in a place, their stories came with them

Page 9: The Epic, Epic Hero, and  Beowulf

More on Beowulf’s History

• Oldest known English literary work

-A scop probably first wrote Beowulf down in 700s

-Oldest known, surviving manuscript was written 300 yrs. later by unknown author

Page 10: The Epic, Epic Hero, and  Beowulf

Beowulf: Names

• Hrothgar: King of the Danes• Grendel: monster that terrorizes Danes

• Beowulf: from family of Kings of Geats; hero

• Grendel’s mother: seeks revengeon Danes

Page 11: The Epic, Epic Hero, and  Beowulf

• Herot: name of Hrothgar’s mead hall

• Hrunting: Beowulf’s sword

Page 12: The Epic, Epic Hero, and  Beowulf

Poetic Devices in Beowulf

Scops and gleemen needed poetic devices to help remember tales and give stories greater impact

1. Alliteration: repetition of similar consonant sounds (Ex: miserable, mighty men tormented)

2. Caesura: an obvious pause in a line of poetry, usually found near middle of line, w/ 2 stressed syllables before and 2 after. Indicated with //.(Ex: A prince of the Geats// had killed Grendel)

3. Kenning: An imaginative phrase that takes the place of a single noun (Ex: whale-road=sea; life-house=body)

Page 13: The Epic, Epic Hero, and  Beowulf

Literary Elements in Beowulf

• Foreshadowing: hints about what’s to come. Ex from Beowulf:

“But fate, that night, intended/Grendel to gnaw the broken

bones/Of his last human supper…” (293-295)

*Look for another example of foreshadowing as you read; write down the line numbers*

Page 14: The Epic, Epic Hero, and  Beowulf

Vocabulary for Beowulf

• Lament (n): an expression of sorrow, OR a song or writing that mourns a death

(V): to express sorrow• Forged (v): formed or shaped; made • Shroud(n): burial cloth• Infamous (adj): famous for something bad;

notorious• Writhing (v): twisting in pain• Spawned (v): born

Page 15: The Epic, Epic Hero, and  Beowulf

• Lair (n): den of a wild animal

• Reparation (n): payment to make up for a wrong or injury; indemnity

• Linden (adj): wooden

• Scabbard (n): case that protects the blade of a sword

• Hilt (n): a sword’s handle

Page 16: The Epic, Epic Hero, and  Beowulf