An epic is “a long narrative poem that relates the great deeds of a larger-than-life hero who...
-
Upload
montana-ilsley -
Category
Documents
-
view
221 -
download
3
Transcript of An epic is “a long narrative poem that relates the great deeds of a larger-than-life hero who...
An epic is “a long narrative poem that relates the great deeds of a larger-than-life hero who embodies the values of a particular society”
5 Epic Characteristics:
• Great leader who identifies strongly with a group of people
• Setting is broad and often includes supernatural realms
• Hero does great deeds and undertakes a quest or journey
• Gods or other supernatural beings aid in the quest
• Story is told in heightened language
EPIC CONVENTIONS- Shared characteristics of epics writers drew upon to establish the epic quality of their poems.
5 Epic Conventions:
• Invocation of the muse
• Action begins “in medias res”
• Flash backs occur often to help with understanding
• Epic Similes- relating heroic events to simple ones
• Epithets- descriptive phrase that presents a particular trait
Talk to someone near you and jot down a few characteristics an epic hero would possess.
What makes an Epic hero?
• Special circumstances surrounding his/her birth
• Special qualities revealed in his/her youth
• Has a tragic flaw/weakness
Superman was born on Krypton
Super strength used to save Pa on the farm
Kryptonite
What makes a hero?
• Status/place is challenged
• Goes on a quest
• Heroic death
Lex Luther tries to kill Superman
Superman goes to save Lois Lane
Prediction:
Which characteristics of an epic hero do you think will be most important in this story and why?
The Anglo-SaxonsEQ: What role does history & culture play in an epic?
(1) Comitatus(2) Mead Hall(3) Christianity vs. Pagan / Roman / Norse Rituals(4) Herot(5) Hrothgar(6) Grendel
The Anglo-SaxonsEQ: What role does history & culture play in an epic?
Comitatus - Germanic code of loyalty. (reciprocity)• Thanes (warriors) swore loyalty to their king (honor / protect)• King must be generous in return (give treasure / land) • Kings praised for generosity and hospitality. • Warriors praised for courage and loyalty
The Anglo-SaxonsEQ: What role does history & culture play in an epic?
Mead Hall - center of civilization • Socializing• History preserved (scop – oral poet)• Reputations built (brag; give gifts)• Sign of tribe’s strength; safe place (sleep)
What are some
present-day mead
halls and examples
of comitatus?
The Anglo-SaxonsEQ: What role does history & culture play in an epic?
Christianity vs. Pagan / Roman / Norse RitualsPoem recorded in 400 A.D. However, Anglo’s originally pagan; changed to Christianity after 600 A.DTherefore; historians believe poem is transcribed by a Christian monk
The Anglo-SaxonsEQ: What role does history & culture play in an epic?
Memento Mori – ‘remember death’• no afterlife; therefore, achieve immortality by deeds • (preserve soul) through reputation.
Adoration – to regard with the utmost esteem, love, and respect; to honor and worship – idolize• The goal of Anglo Saxon society was to attain adoration
and fame in order to obtain immortality • Methods = poem, statue, memorial,…
• Actually this term is used to describe a culture composed of the Anglos, Saxons, Jutes, and Geats
• They were Germanic tribes thought to be “guns for hire” – mercenaries (brutal, ruthless, scavengers, though actually regimented and organized)• Sent to take Great Britain from Romans / Britons – They stay!• Tribal Life – small clans / armies (loyalty and strength were very important)• Although vicious they had values = loyalty• Killing a fellow member of one’s tribe was the worst possible crime
Quick Facts About the Anglo Saxons
The Anglo-SaxonsEQ: What role does history & culture play in an epic?
Elegiac Mood –awareness of the passing of time / life
The Monster GrendelEQ: What symbolism is evident in the establishment of the plot’s conflict?
Important Vocabulary:• Herot: mead hall
• Hrothgar: generous king (Dane)
• Grendel: descendent of Cain; Biblical Allusion = brother slayer (worst Anglo Saxon crime); demon race (outsider)
• Laments: cries of grief• Reparation – payment for wrongdoing (crimes; sins)• Solace - peace
The Monster GrendelReview of plot development:Characterization:
Grendel – evil, outsider, anarchyHrothgar – generous Danish kingBeowulf- hero, GeatHerot – great mead hall (civilization) under attack
Theme(s):Good vs. EvilChaos vs. Order (Anglo’s Civilization)
Foreshadowing:Wergild (man-price) – must be paid for the 30 men
slaughtered. (Beowulf)
Quick Facts About the Anglo Saxons
• Riddles – beauty in mystery = quickness of mind = intellectual strength
• Boast – confidence was very important must be able to back up what you boast claims
RIDDLE ME THIS!!!!
In Modern English (Riddle 49)Christ the true giver of victories, created me for combat.
When my lord urged me to fight, I often scorch mortals; I approach the earth and, without a touch,
afflict a huge host of people. At times I gladden the minds of men, keeping my distance.
I console those whom I fought before; they feel my kindness as they once felt my fire when, after such
suffering, I soothe their lives.
RIDDLE ME THIS!!!!
In Old English (Riddle 46)
Cwico wæs ic--ne cwæð ic wiht; cwele ic efne seþeah.
Ær ic wæs, eft ic cwom; æghwa mec reafað, hafað mec on headre, ond min heafod scireþ, biteð mec on bær lic, briceð mine wisan. Monnan ic ne bite, nympþe he me bite; sindan þara monige þe mec bitað.
In Modern English (Riddle 46)
A stalk of the living, I nothing said; Dumb, stand waiting to join the dead. I have risen before and will rise again Though plunderers carve and split my skin, Bite through my bare body, shear my head, Hold me hard in a slicing bed. I do not bite a man unless he bites me, But the number of men who bite is many
RIDDLE ME THIS!!!!
In Old English (Riddle 48)
Ic wiht geseah in wera burgum, seo þæt feoh fedeð. Hafað fela
toþa; nebb biþ hyre æt nytte, niþerweard gongeð, hiþeð holdlice
ond to ham tyhð, wæþeð geond weallas, wyrte seceð;
Aa heo þa findeð, þa þe fæst ne biþ; læteð hio þa wlitigan,
wyrtum fæste, stille stondan on staþolwonge, beorhte blican,
blowan ond growan.
In Modern English (Riddle 48)
I saw close to the houses of men A strange creature that feeds
cattle. By tooth-hoard and nose-haul (A useful slave), it scruffs
the ground, Scratches at plants, dogs walls Or drags fields for
plunder-seeks A crop-catch and carries it home. Its prey is bent stalk and weak root; Its gift is firm grain and full flower On a
glittering plain-growing, blooming.
Make Some Predictions
• Why has Beowulf come?
• How will people react to Beowulf?
• What will happen to him?
Think about the qualities of modern heroes and the kinds of enemies they battle.
Modern-day Hero
Heroic Deeds
Enemies Abilities Virtues
Use the chart to record phrases that describe today’s heroes. As you read, decide if Beowulf displays any of the qualities you listed.
Characteristics of Anglo-Saxon Poetry
Poetic Device Definition Example
Alliteration same consonant sound miserablemighty men
Caesura obvious pause in a line of poetry. (middle of a line)
A prince of the Geats, // had killed Grendel
Kenning metaphorical phrase used instead of a simple noun to identify something with something it is not
whale-road for sealife-house for body
Background of Story • Oral narrative• Action of the poem takes place around 500 AD• Revival of the heroic language, style, and values of
ancient Germanic oral poetry• Danes and the Geats• Only a single manuscript of the poem survived the
Anglo-Saxon era. • Lots of Christian references and undertones in writing• J.R.R Tolkien
Heroic Values in Beowulf
• Relationship between king and his warriors
• The king rewards his warriors with gifts
• If a kinsman is slain, obligation to kill the slayer or obtain payment (wergild) in compensation
The Character of Beowulf
• He fights for personal honor, but is committed to service to his own people and humanity.
• A superhuman who remains recognizable
• Contrast old and young Beowulf
• Beowulf as savior
Review of terms you’ll want to know
scop
A bard or story-teller.
The scop was responsible for praising deeds of past heroes, for recording history, and for providing entertainment
thane
A warrior
mead-hall
The large hall where the lord and his warriors slept, ate, held ceremonies, etc.
Review of terms you’ll want to know
wyrd
Fate. This idea crops up a lot in the poem, while at the same time there are Christian references to God’s will.
Review of terms you’ll want to know
Themes and Important Aspects Good vs. Evil
Religion: Christian and Pagan influences
The importance of wealth and treasure
Loyalty and allegiance
The importance of the sea and sailing
The sanctity of the home
Fate
Heroism and heroic deeds