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Epic Tradition & The Epic Hero. The Epic Tradition. Written in poetic verse, usually very long, and were called epic poems Detailed the deeds of heroes and reflected the brutality of the times Given in a mead hall, large centers of celebration
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The Epic Tradition • Written in poetic verse, usually very long, and were called epic poems • Detailed the deeds of heroes and reflected the brutality of the times • Given in a mead hall, large centers of celebration • A scop, or professional poet, would bring the poem to life • The scop told stories of how a true hero should behave • Contains the following elements • Epic Hero • Grand setting • Lengthy timeline of events • Elements of the supernatural • Climatic battles of good versus evil
Epic Hero • Usually a male figure • Rises to greatness and eventually falls • Becomes the hero because of a climactic event • May possess the following qualities: • Courage • Arrogance • Larger than life status • Supernatural abilities • Good looks • A fatal flaw (pride)
Epic Conventions • Stock epithets – adjectives that point out special traits of particular persons or things. • Ex—”swift-footed” • Kennings -- poetic synonyms found in Germanic poems. A kenning is a descriptive phrase or compound word that substitutes for a noun. • Ex—”sin-stained demon” • Setting – vast in scope, often involving more than one nation. • Plot – complicated by supernatural beings or events and may involve a long and dangerous journey through foreign lands.
Epic Conventions • Dialogue – often includes long, formal speeches delivered by the major characters • Theme – reflects timeless values, such as courage and honors, and encompasses universal ideas, such as good and evil or life and death. • Style – includes formal diction and a serious tone.
