historical background literary devices all about epics…. beowulf characters & plot points ...
TRANSCRIPT
Historical Background
Literary Devices
All About Epics…. Beowulf
Characters & Plot Points
Significant Themes
Archetypes within the Text
Beowulf, the epic • Epic as a literary genre: a long narrative
poem that recounts (tells) the adventures of a legendary hero
• 4 key parts or conventions: epic hero, quest, valorous deeds, & divine intervention
•Unknown author- time frame ranging from the 6th to 10th century- written down around 1000 AD (approximate, somewhat debatable)
•Composed in what is referred to as Old English
Anglo-Saxon Poetry & Literary Devices
Alliteration- repetition of initial consonant sounds (aid memorization; enhance imagery)*
Assonance- repetition of internal vowel sounds within a line of poetry
Caesuras- rhythmic breaks in the middle of a line where the reciter would pause
Kennings- poetic renaming of something
Elegy- lyric poem mourning a loss
Anglo-Saxon Poetry & Literary Devices“So the living sorrow of Healfdane’s son/
Simmered….- Alliteration
“in the darkness, growled in pAIn, impAtient- --Assonance
“I make this song about me full sadly- Caesuras
“shepherd of evil, guardian of crime- Kennings
- “The days are gone/ When the kingdoms of the earth flourished in glory…” - Elegy
Key Characters/Names Beowulf Grendel Herot
Hrothgar Healfdane Geats
Higlac Edgetho Unferth
Hrunting Wiglacf Wextan
Beowulf- protagonist & epic hero
Grendel- one of the antagonists
Herot- name of the mead hall
Hrothgar- king of the Danes, enlists Beowulf’s help
Healfdane- Hrothgar’s dad
Geats- refers to the people of Sweden; Beowulf’s people
Higlac- king of the Geats; Bewoulf’s lord and uncle
Edgetho- Beowulf’s dad
Unferth- Danish warrior who had questioned Beowulf’ s bravery
Hrunting- Beowulf’s mighty sword
Wiglaf- brave soldier who stands by Beowulf as he dies
Wextan- Wiglaf’s dad
The Wrath of Grendel
The overall mood changes very quickly as the poems opens…
Grendel’s violence is swift and devastating.
Allusion- reference in a literary work to another person, event, place, etc. Note the first significant biblical allusion: “born of Cain”- indicates Grendel’s evil origins- one of the first Christian references in the poem.
Others: “Almighty” “Fate” “God” “He”
The Wrath of GrendelHerot stands deserted for “twelve winters of
grief.”
“ sorrow heaped” & “misery leaped”- personification
Pagan allusions: sacrifices made to “old stone gods” in the hopes of preventing more killings in Hrothgar’s kingdom…..
The Coming of BeowulfOur epic hero chooses 14 of his closest
comrades to accompany him to Denmark to conquer Grendel. Notice that this marks the start of his great quest. He has not been asked to do this, but as an epic hero, he seeks honor and great fame.
Reader meets the Danish watchman.
Beowulf chooses to not use his powerful sword.
The Battle with GrendelPay close attention to the many instances of
kennings throughout this epic.
Notice the realism of the imagery surrounding the battle between Beowulf and Grendel as Grendel’s arm is snapped off and he is left to limp away and just bleed to death….
The arm becomes a badge of honor,
“a terrible trophy…” (kenning)
The Monster’s Lair & The Battle with Grendel’s
MotherGrendel’s mother seeks revenge for her son’s death, killing Hrothgar’s friend.
Christian element: Grendel’s mother lives in a dark underworld similar to Hell.
Bewoulf “longed for fame.” Notice that “Fate” is also a key part of his warrior code. He understands and accepts that death is always a possibility. After defeating the “water witch,” he becomes a great hero, ruling Geatland for 50 yrs.
The Monster’s Lair & The Battle with Grendel’s
MotherPay close attention to the role of divine intervention in the outcome of the epic battles:
Grendel cannot/will not touch Hrothgar’s throne as it is “protected by God.” Also, a ridiculously heavy sword that has been blessed by giants appears out of nowhere, helping him kill Grendel’s mother. Beowulf’s mail shirt, too, seems to have received some sort of blessing from God.
The Last Battle & The SpoilsNotice that both Grendel’s and Beowulf’s death
are foreshadowed. Death and “Fate” are always discussed alongside one another, too…
Grendel’s death: “fate, that night, intended Grendel to gnaw the broken bones of his last human supper.”
Beowulf’s death: “Beowulf uttered his final boast….
“And for the first time in his life that famous prince fought with fate against him…”
The Spoils & The FarewellBeowulf accepts death with great honor and humility- key characteristic of an epic hero.
Other key characteristics of epic heroes: great physical strength, impressive family history or lineage, tremendous bravery and fearlessness, honor, natural leader
Reader is introduced to Wiglaf, the only comrade who is loyal to Beowulf, refusing to abandon him as the dragon kills him.
The Farewell, continuedWiglaf ensures that Bewoulf’s memory is honored as it should be: a tower is built in honor of our epic hero. Also, notice how he ‘baptizes’ or conducts ‘last rites’ upon Beowulf before ensuring his proper burial.
Themes and Important Aspects Good vs. Evil
Religion: Christian and Pagan influences
The importance of wealth and treasure
Loyalty and allegiance
The importance of the sea and sailing
The role of family ancestry
Fate
Heroism, heroic deeds, and dying with honor
Archetypes in LiteratureArchetype: a constantly recurring symbol or motif found across all genres- literary, cinematic.
Archetypes produce a deep emotional response in readers. Think of them as the ‘building blocks’ of storytelling.
Carl Jung, a prominent early 20th century psychoanalyst, coined this term.
Archetypes in BeowulfSituation as an Archetype-
•Beowulf’s quest, his task of conquering evil numerous times
•the Fall- Beowulf’s arrogance in fighting the dragon
•Battle between good and evil
Archetypes in BeowulfCharacter as an Archetype-
•Beowulf himself as the hero
•Grendel’s mother as ‘the creature of nightmare’
•The Loyal Comrade- Wiglaf (reflects the hero’s best qualities)
•The Scapegoat- Grendel’s rage is directed at Hrothgar.
Symbol as Archetype-
•Notice the use and placement of light, darkness, and fire in the epic…..