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Beowulf

Beowulf. The Epic Hero. Predestined Mysterious origin Vulnerability Embodies cultural ideals. The Epic Hero. Responds to catastrophic situations Supernatural intervenes to help him Moral compass leads him to defend his society Mortal but god-like. Epic. Long narrative poem

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Beowulf

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  1. Beowulf

  2. The Epic Hero • Predestined • Mysterious origin • Vulnerability • Embodies cultural ideals

  3. The Epic Hero • Responds to catastrophic situations • Supernatural intervenes to help him • Moral compass leads him to defend his society • Mortal but god-like

  4. Epic • Long narrative poem • Recounts the adventures of a hero • Passed down orally • Uses elevated language • Begins in media res

  5. Background Information • Setting - Denmark and Sweden • Author - Unknown, probably a monk • Composed in the 7th or 8th century • Oldest surviving English poem

  6. Elements of Anglo-Saxon Poetry • Alliteration: repetition of initial consonant sounds “Then the grim man in green gathers his strength” • Caesura: a pause or break in a line of poetry “Oft to the wanderer / weary of exile” • Kenning: compound metaphor used as a name “battle-blade” and “ring-giver” • Hyperbole: exaggeration

  7. Anglo-Saxon Culture • Belief in fate (Wyrd) • Treasure equals success • Fame and fortune • Loyalty to the leader • Pagan, Germanic, and Christian ideals

  8. Anglo-Saxon Culture • Fierce, hardy life of warrior and seamen • Strength, courage, leadership abilities appreciated • Rowdy rituals of mead-halls • Expected the hero to boast

  9. Anglo-Saxon Hero • Strong • Courageous • Loyal • Desires fame • Generous

  10. Anglo-Saxon Ideals • Good defeats evil • Wergild—restitution for a murder • Comitatus—code of loyalty • Boasts must be followed by actions • Fate is in control • Only fair fights are honorable

  11. Title of Epic Poem • Anglo-Saxon word Beo means “bright” or “noble” • Anglo-Saxon word wulf means “wolf” • Beowulf means bright or noble wolf • Other sources say Beo means “bear”

  12. Beowulf • Epic hero • Geat (from southern Sweden) • Nephew of Higlac (King at story’s start) • Sails to Denmark to help Hrothgar

  13. Hrothgar • Danish king • Builds Herot (hall) • Tormented by Grendel for 12 years • Loses many men • Joyless before Beowulf’s arrival

  14. Grendel • Referred to as demon and fiend • Haunts the moors (swampy land) • Descendant of Cain (kills his brother Abel in Bible) • Feasts on 30 men the night of 1st attack

  15. Grendel’s Mother • Referred to as a she-wolf • Lives under a lake • Challenges Hrothgar when she kills one of his best men

  16. Fire Dragon • Lives in Beowulf’s kingdom • Wakes up when thief steals cup • Guards countless treasures

  17. Funeral Pyre for Beowulf: Epic Poem Ends in Elegy (song of praise)

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