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The Anglo-Saxons and The Epic Hero The Epic of Beowulf

The Anglo-Saxons and The Epic Hero The Epic of Beowulf. Anglo-Saxon Life - Warriors. Small groups lived under a “chief” (king/warlord) Warfare was a way of life Bravery and loyalty were highly honored Bravest followers rewarded with plunder & fame Glory was the highest achievement .

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The Anglo-Saxons and The Epic Hero The Epic of Beowulf

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  1. The Anglo-Saxons andThe Epic Hero The Epic of Beowulf

  2. Anglo-Saxon Life - Warriors • Small groups lived under a “chief” (king/warlord) • Warfare was a way of life • Bravery and loyalty were highly honored • Bravest followers rewarded with plunder & fame • Glory was the highest achievement

  3. Anglo-Saxon Life - Wyrd • Lived by a philosophy called wyrd – a belief in fate – that all events were predestined and were purposeful • Life was harsh, difficult, and short – the ultimate and inescapable fate was death • Only option was to face fate with courage and strength

  4. Anglo-Saxon Life – Mead Halls • Communities congregated in mead halls • A social gathering place • Eating/Drinking • Socializing • Entertainment (telling stories) • Mead – an alcoholic beverage made from fermented honey • Honeymoon – newlyweds dink mead everyday for one full moon (one month) to ensue good luck • Scops (minstrels) performed songs of heroic deeds celebrating: • Strength • Loyalty • Courage • Provided models to emulate and a goal to pursue

  5. Anglo-Saxon Life – Christianity • Warriors sought immortality through fame of strength/bravery – Christianity added the idea of true immortality • Major impact on literature in 2 ways • 1. Integrated into plot – having God’s favor/Biblical elements • 2. Texts being reproduced in monasteries

  6. The Epic • A long narrative poem that relates the great deeds of a larger-than-life hero who embodies the values of a particular society • Examples: The Iliad, Odyssey, Gilgamesh • Good vs. Evil • On a larger-than-life scale • Written in a heightened language

  7. The Epic - Characteristics • Hero is a great leader; strongly aligned with the values of their society/culture • Setting on a grand scale, often including supernatural realms • Hero performs great deeds/undergoes a great quest • Supernatural beings have a hand in the plot • Told in a heightened language

  8. The Epic – The Epic Hero • Larger than life • Embodies societal values such as: • loyalty, valor, courage, sense of justice, dignity, persistence • Undertakes a quest or journey • Live on after death (immortality through fame) • Deeds set them apart from regular people • Overcomes great obstacles while retaining humanity • Experiences normal human emotions

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