BeowulfBeowulf & The Epic & The Epicby The by The BeowulfBeowulf Poet Poet

PattersonPatterson

English IVEnglish IV

Original painting by Susanne Iles

Epic

• A long, narrative poem that deals with a hero’s adventures and deeds

Some Basic RulesSome Basic Rules

The hero, generally The hero, generally a male, is of noble a male, is of noble birth, high position, birth, high position, or of great or of great historical or historical or legendary legendary importanceimportance

The heroThe hero’’s s character traits character traits reflect important reflect important ideals of societyideals of society

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• The hero performs The hero performs courageous, courageous, sometimes even sometimes even superhuman deeds superhuman deeds that reflect the that reflect the values of the era.values of the era.

► The actions of the The actions of the hero often hero often determine the fate determine the fate of a nation or group of a nation or group of peopleof people

The setting is vast in The setting is vast in scope often involving scope often involving more than one nationmore than one nation

The poet uses formal The poet uses formal diction and a serious diction and a serious tonetone

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Major characters often deliver long, formal speeches

• The plot is complicated by supernatural beings or events and may involve a long and dangerous journey through foreign lands

• The poem reflects timeless values such as courage and honor

• The poem treats universal themes such as good and evil or life and death

Characteristics of an Epic

• Oral tradition• Epithets- “the swift runner”• Epic similes- look for them to extend over

several lines!

Central MotifsCentral Motifs

HonorHonor Fate/destinyFate/destiny Even heroes arenEven heroes aren’’t perfect!t perfect!

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A brief history of Beowulf After the fall of Julius

Caesar, Rome lost control of Britain (55AD)

With Rome gone, Britain was vulnerable to invaders.

Several tribes invaded from Northern Europe: the Angles, the Saxons, the Jutes.

Beowulf takes place on mainland Europe among the Danes (from Denmark) and the Geats (from Sweden)

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Beowulf

Nephew of Higlac (King of the Geats) Although there is no record of Beowulf

actually living, Hygelac was a historical figure somewhere around 525 AD.

It is believed Beowulf is set not

long after this date.

What was life like in 6What was life like in 6thth century century Europe?Europe?

• Christianity not yet adopted

• Warrior culture respected loyalty, great deeds, strength, and courage

• People gathered in mead halls to dink mead and listen to tales of heroes

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The Story

Probably performed by a poet-singer in a chant, accompanied by a harp

Story came into language in 8th-10th century (after the conversion to Christianity)

Originally written in old English and had to be translated

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Old EnglishOld English

First page of First page of BeowulfBeowulf manuscriptmanuscript

Old English (OE) existed until Old English (OE) existed until approximately 1100, when the approximately 1100, when the Middle English period started. Middle English period started.

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Middle English & BeyondMiddle English & Beyond

The Middle English period lasted until The Middle English period lasted until approximately the year 1500, when we approximately the year 1500, when we transitioned to Modern English.transitioned to Modern English.

Shakespeare wrote near 1600- well into the Shakespeare wrote near 1600- well into the Modern English period! His language is NOT Modern English period! His language is NOT Old English!Old English!

Old English readingl