Dictionary.com:
he·ro –noun, plural heroes
1. a man of distinguished courage or ability, admired for his
brave deeds and noble qualities.
2. a person who, in the opinion of others, has heroic qualities
or has performed a heroic act and is regarded as a model or
ideal: He was a local hero when he saved the drowning child.
3. the principal male character in a story, play, film, etc.
4. Classical Mythology:
a. a being of godlike prowess and beneficence who often
came to be honored as a divinity.
b. (in the Homeric period) a warrior-chieftain of special
strength, courage, or ability.
c. (in later antiquity) an immortal being; demigod.
The Epic Hero Characteristics:
 imposing stature (physical as well as social
stature)
 his style is grand yet simple
 his setting is vast/larger than life
 has super human courage & strength
 faces supernatural forces
Respond…
What does someone have to do
in order to be a hero?
Examples? (book, movie, TV,
cartoon)
What makes this individual
a hero in your opinion?
 Link
READ HISTORICAL BACKGROUND
Textbook
Pg 36
Old English Beowulf Passage
Modern English Beowulf Passage
So. The Spear-Danes in days gone by
and the kings who ruled them had courage and
greatness.
We have heard of those princes’ heroic campaigns.
There was Shield Sheafson, scourge of many tribes,
a wrecker of mead-benches, rampaging among foes.
This terror of the hall-troops had come far.
A founding to start with,
he would flourish later on
as his powers waxed and his worth was proved.
In the end each clan on the outlying coasts
beyond the whale-road had to yield to him
and begin to pay tribute. That was one good king.
Afterwards a boy-child was born to Shield,
a cub in the yard, a comfort sent
by God to that nation. He knew what they had
tholed,
the long times and troubles they’d come through
without a leader;
Let’s Listen
 Link
Let’s Review the
Manuscript’s Timeline
 700-950 A.D. -- Christian poet composed the poem
 Handwritten by a monk around 1000 A.D.
 Written in Old English
 Damaged by fire in 1731
 Currently at British Library (a museum)
Images of Beowulf
Where the action takes place
Exterior of a 9th C.
Great Hall and
surroundings
Interior of a Great Hall –
th
9
C
VIKIN
SHIP
As we read, ask yourself,
“What is heroism?”
 Strong will?
 Bravery
 Valor in battle?
 Concern for others?
Are the same traits required for a
warrior and for a king?
Also ask yourself,
“Is Beowulf an Epic Hero?”
 Why does Beowulf take action?
 Selfish motives?


Treasure
Glory
 Selfless motives?


To save the people
Preservation of the community
Time Map
Why?????
 Summarize information
 Note taking method
 Present information in a format that shows the
overall structure of your subject
Directions
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Requires a clear start, a time line of events and a
conclusion
Use lots of colors, markers, pencils, different
textures
Use images/symbols wherever possible
Branch off as needed
Use key words and phrases as necessary to
summarize each section of the epic
Requirements
Minimum of 16 check points
Your time map should fill up the majority of an 8 x
11 sheet of paper.
Add titles, drawings, whatever you think is
appropriate to demonstrate your knowledge and
understanding of the story’s content and plot.
Suggestions
Setting elements can be symbols
For example, the lake = hell
What setting would = heaven?
Stereotypes, objects, and other aspects of the
epic can also represent symbols – be creative;
think outside the box!
Have fun with this assignment!
Now, using the Interactive Reader, we will read
the story of Beowulf and Grendel.