Beowulf & The Epic
by The Beowulf Poet
Patterson
English IV
Original painting by Susanne Iles
Epic
• A long, narrative poem that deals with a
hero’s adventures and deeds
Some Basic Rules

The hero, generally a
male, is of noble
birth, high position, or
of great historical or
legendary importance

The hero’s
character traits
reflect important
ideals of society
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• The hero performs
courageous,
sometimes even
superhuman deeds
that reflect the values
of the era.
► The
actions of the hero
often determine the
fate of a nation or
group of people

The setting is vast in
scope often involving
more than one nation
 The poet uses formal
diction and a serious
tone
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 Major characters
often deliver long,
formal speeches
• The plot is
complicated by
supernatural beings
or events and may
involve a long and
dangerous journey
through foreign lands
• The poem reflects
timeless values such
as courage and honor
• The poem treats
universal themes
such as good and evil
or life and death
Characteristics of an Epic
• Oral tradition
• Epithets- “the swift runner”
• Epic similes- look for them to extend over
several lines!
Central Motifs
Honor
 Fate/destiny
 Even heroes aren’t perfect!

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A brief history of Beowulf

After the fall of Julius
Caesar, Rome lost
control of Britain (55AD)

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With Rome gone, Britain was
vulnerable to invaders.
Several tribes invaded from
Northern Europe: the Angles,
the Saxons, the Jutes.
Beowulf takes place on
mainland Europe among the
Danes (from Denmark) and
the Geats (from Sweden)
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Beowulf
 Nephew of Higlac (King of the Geats)
 Although there is no record of Beowulf
actually living, Hygelac was a historical figure
somewhere around 525 AD.
 It is believed Beowulf is set not
long after this date.
What was life like in 6th century
Europe?
• Christianity not yet
adopted
• Warrior culture
respected loyalty,
great deeds, strength,
and courage
• People gathered in
mead halls to dink
mead and listen to
tales of heroes
www.heorot.dk/heorot.jpg
The Story
The Mead Hall of Valhalla



Probably performed by a poet-singer in a chant, accompanied
by a harp
Story came into language in 8th-10th century (after the
conversion to Christianity)
Originally written in old English and had to be translated
Old English
First page of Beowulf
manuscript
Old English (OE) existed until
approximately 1100, when the Middle
English period started.
http://web.cn.edu/kwheeler/images/Beowulfpage.jpeg
Middle English & Beyond
 The
Middle English period lasted until
approximately the year 1500, when we
transitioned to Modern English.
 Shakespeare wrote near 1600- well into the
Modern English period! His language is NOT Old
English!
Old English readingl