Characteristics of Epic Poetry

2. Characteristics of Epic Poetry 1. Long 2. Narrative 3. Larger than life hero 4. Embodies values of a particular society • Includes elements of myth, legend, folklore, history • Has a serious tone • Uses more formal, almost grand language

3. Characteristics of Anglo-Saxon Culture • Bravery in battle • Bards or poets were used to elevate heroes of the tribes and were usually as important as the warrior themselves • Faith in God to intervene positively with fate • Influence of old pagan religion • Warfare was the order of the day • Amassing a fortune in battle • Reverence for womanhood—precursor to chivalry—is expected • Openhanded hospitality is the order of the day • Truth is highly cherished virtue • Great love for personal freedom

4. Characteristics of Anglo-Saxon poetry: • The lines do not rhyme. • The rhythm of a line depends primarily on the number of beats or accented syllables. Each line has four beats. • Reflected the juxtaposition of the Church and the pagan world • Each line has a pause (caesura) after the 2nd beat. Each line is divided into 2 halves, each half having 2 beats. • Kennings, phrases that are an elaborate and indirect way of naming person, things, or events, is another important characteristic of Anglo-Saxon poetry. • Example: the sea is called “the pathless deep” or “the whale’s road.” • Alliteration is an important element in Anglo-Saxon poetry. One or more accented syllables in the first half of a line almost always alliterate with one or more accented syllables in the second half. Thus alliteration binds the two halves of a line. • Tendency toward didacticism or instruction.

5. Concepts from Beowulf: • Man’s positive interaction with his fate“…Fate saves the living when they drive away death by themselves.” • Definitive good and evil“Now he discovered—once the afflicter of men, tormentor of their days—what it meant to feud with Almighty God.” • Greed as man’s downfall.“…So gold can easily triumph, defeat the strongest of men, no matter how deep it is hidden.” • Vanity as man’s downfall“…but all the world turns when he spins it. How can he know when he sins.” • God’s positive intervention“…and Holy God who sent him victory, gave judgment for truth and right, Ruler of the Heavens once Beowulf was back on his feet and fighting.” • Heroismepic hero=imposing, super-human character of cultural significance

6. Concepts of Anglo-Saxon Society: • Loyal dependencyWyrd—fate; the idea that you die when you die, that no one sings your song.Sacrifice of self for one’s king or leader • Wergild – man’s price or brother’s fee • Boasting – states names, heritage, parents, parents’ occupations, 3 accomplishments, and 1 future accomplishment

7. Anglo Saxon Ideals • Love of glory was a ruling motive • Allegiance to the king or lord is cherished and demanded. • Reverence for womanhood—precursor to chivalry—is expected • There is a great love for personal freedom • Open handed hospitality is the order of the day. • Truth is a highly cherished virtue. • Sentiments are usually suppressed