Characteristics of an
EPIC HERO
The central figure in a long narrative that reflects the values
and heroic ideals of a particular society.
Eight Characteristics of an EPIC
HERO
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
Brave
Superhuman in strength (physical, mental, spiritual)
Successful in battle
Contemptuous of his wounds, even in death
Born of noble stock, maybe semi-divine
Gains fame outside his own country
His FOIL is usually a king who is weakened by flaw:
(Temporarily weakened or too old to function in
protective capacity for his nation.)
FOILS MAKE HERO SHINE!
Eight Characteristics of an EPIC
HERO continued …
8. Extremely loyal
Beowulf is not a traditional “intruder-hero” who conquers and takes over.
He respects the legitimacy of the Danish kingship, his “temporary king.”
He has no intention of usurping Hrothgar’s kingship. Beowulf becomes
king only after his King Higlac’s son (Beowulf’s cousin) dies in battle.
Epic
Poe
m
Hero Traits
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
Brave
Superhuman in strength
Successful in battle
Contemptuous of his wounds, even in death
Born of noble stock, maybe semi-divine
Gains fame outside his own country
Has a FOIL whose weakness makes the hero look better
Extremely loyal
Back to Epic
Poem
Characteristics of an
EPIC POEM
A long narrative about the adventures of larger-than-life
characters.
Ten Characteristics of an
EPIC POEM
1.
Elevated diction (formal language)
a. Relative clauses - adj. clauses that start with relative
pronouns:
①
②
③
④
⑤
Who
Whom
Whose
That
Which
b. Figurative language:
① Metaphors
② Kennings (COMPOUND DESCRIPTIVE WORDS)
③ Understatements
Ten Characteristics of an
EPIC POEM continued …
Set forms (formulas) that are clues for the scop’s memory.
Begin in medias res (in the middle of things). NOT the
Beowulf epic.
4. Epic characters hold high positions:
2.
3.
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
Kings
Princes
Noblemen
Members of the aristocracy
EPIC HERO is even more
(See EPIC HERO NOTES)
To Hero
Traits
Ten Characteristics of an
EPIC POEM continued …
5. Numerous speeches by hero or other characters.
a. Speech moves action forward,
b. tells something about past,
c. or reveals the speaker’s character traits.
6. Warriors deliver boasts before attacking an enemy
7. Genealogy important to epic warrior because … he
wants us, and his enemies, to know he comes from a
long line of warriors
Ten Characteristics of an
EPIC POEM continued …
8. Taunting of hero, especially before battle.
9. Setting is vast, with stories about great nations, or even
the universe. Beowulf has “vast scope.”
a.
b.
Only deals with two nations.
Beowulf’s enemies are not human, therefore:
Nonhuman enemies raise the notion of a king’s fall to a
fall of cosmic dimensions
② A struggle with universal evil
③ The fate of human life and man’s efforts
①
Ten Characteristics of an
EPIC POEM continued …
10. Supernatural “forces” (not really in Beowulf, unless we consider the
monsters as Satanic).
a.
There are some indirect references to the Will of God and His control
of wyrd (FATE), but not directly.
①
②
③
b.
The concept of active Fate OR
“that which happens” OR
….while a man's courage holds out, he has a hope of winning through
since wyrd ‘the way things happen’ will often work to help such a man, as
long as he is not doomed; conversely if a man is doomed then not even
his courage can help him stand against 'the course of events'."
Moral code or religious code in Beowulf less dependent on superhuman
beings than on social codes,in other words, what is good for the
community.