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
Main CharactersMain Characters
Beowulf Dragon Grendel & Mother Higlac Hrothgar Shild Unferth Welthow Wiglaf
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.
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.