BEOWULF
An Epic
WHAT IS AN EPIC
An epic is a long narrative poem that celebrates a hero’s
deeds.
They came into existence as spoken words and were retold
by poet after poet from one generation to the next.
Most epics date back to preliterate periods, before cultures
that produced them had developed written languages.
Many epics are based in historical fact, so that their public
performance by poets, known as scops or bards, provided
both entertainment and education for the audience.
CHARACTERISTICS OF AN EPIC
 The hero, generally a male, is of noble birth or high position, and often of
great historical or legendary importance.
 The hero’s character traits reflect important ideals of his society.
 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.
 Major characters often deliver long, formal speeches.
CHARACTERISTICS OF AN EPIC
CONTINUED
 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.
EPITHETS AND KENNINGS
Epithets are adjectives that point out special traits of
particular persons or things. For example in Beowulf you will
see the words “strong minded”
Kennings are poetic synonyms found in Germanic poems,
such as Beowulf. Rather than being an adjective, like an
epithet, a kenning is a descriptive phrase or compound word
that substitutes for a noun. For example “the Almighty’s
enemy” and “ sin-stained demon” are two kennings that are
used in place of Grendel’s name.
ALLITERATION
Alliteration is the repetition of consonant sounds at the beginning
of words.
Alliteration is used to emphasize particular words or images,
heighten moods, or create musical effects.
Alliteration in the oral tradition was also used to aid memorization.
Example from the text, “The ancient blade broke, bit into
The monster’s skin, drew blood…”
ALLITERATION…ALLITERATION….ALLITERATION
EXAMPLE: THE ANCIENT BLADE BROKE, BIT INTO
THE MONSTER’S SKIN, DREW BLOOD…
Example of alliteration
Line number
Page number
CONNECT TO YOUR LIFE
Think about people in today’s world that you consider heroic, then
create a cluster diagram like the one shown and jot down all of the
qualities that make these people heroes in your eyes. Use your ideas to
formulate your own definition of hero.
Hero
READ PAGES 33 – 44 AND DO THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS
THINKING THROUGH THE LITERATURE COMPREHENSION CHECK
1. What characteristics does Grendel have that make him particularly terrifying to the Danes?
2.
What impressions of Beowulf do you have after reading this part of the poem?
3.
What do you think causes Grendel to attack human beings?
his relatives
Think about :
his actions and attitudes
the Danish warrior’s reactions to him
4.
Why do you think Beowulf offers to help a tribe other than his own, in spite of the danger.
READ PAGES 45 -51
THINKING THROUGH THE LITERATURE COMPREHENSION CHECK
1.
What heroic action does Beowulf perform in this part of the poem?
2.
Do you think you would have enjoyed living among the Danes of Beowulf’s day?
Why or why not?
3. What qualities does Beowulf display in this second battle?
think about:
the description of Grendel’s mother and her actions
the details describing her lair
Beowulf’s motives and actions
4. Are Beowulf’s words and deeds those of a traditional epic hero?
support your opinion with evidence from the poem.
5. Does the behavior of Grendel’s mother seem as wicked or unreasonable as
Grendel’s behavior? Explain your answer.
A WARRIOR’S LETTER
Imagine that you are one of Hrothgar’s warriors.
Write a letter to a comrade, in which you describe Grendel,
his nightly visits, and your fears about what might happen.
READ PAGES 52 – 60
THINKING THROUGH THE LITERATURE COMPREHENSION CHECK
From your textbook answer all questions on page 63 (1-6)
1. What do you think? How do you think you would have reacted to Beowulf’s death
if you had been one of his subjects?
2. How would you describe Wiglaf’s charcter traits?
3. Beowulf is able to defeat evil in the form of Grendel and Grendel’s mother, yet he
loses his life. What theme does this suggest about the struggle between good and
evil?
4. In your opinion, what view of youth and old age does Beowulf convey? In
answering, consider not only the details in the last part of the poem but also the
earlier portrayals of Beowulf and Hrothgar.
5. On the basis of your reading of Beowulf, what qualities or values do you think the
Anglo-Saxons admired?
Beowulf’s reputation, position, and wealth
Beowulf’s behavior before and during his battles
the behavior of other characters
QUESTIONS CONTINUED
Active Reading/Making Judgements
6. According to the evidence that you found, how well does Beowulf
conform to the characteristics of a typical epic?
WHAT DO YOU THINK?
1. What is the major theme or themes that you have found in Beowulf?
2. What character traits do you think Beowulf demonstrates, that were most
important to the society in which the epic was composed?
Comparison Essay…
In an essay, compare and contrast Beowulf with a hero from
popular culture, such as Indiana Jones, Batman, or Luke Skywalker.
What makes each character heroic?
Organize your ideas in a Venn Diagram like the one shown here.