beowulf circa 700-750. epic what is an epic? a long narrative poem- tells of heroic deeds- gives a...
TRANSCRIPT
Beowulf
Circa 700-750
Epic
What is an Epic? A long narrative poem- Tells of heroic deeds-
Gives a history of a nation or culture Beowulf is an Oral Epic because it was told
through word of mouth. There were no books and people could not read during this time.
With any story handed down from minstrel to minstrel, often words were changed and embellishments were added to make it more interesting.
Minstrel- Scop
The scop went from castle
to castle telling the epic.
Beowulf Facts
3000 Lines Long Written in Old English Dates- 700-750 AD Author- Unknown
The Manuscript
This copy was written
in approximately1000 AD Discovered in the 18th century
this copy was found partially
burned and stained from a fire.
Beowulf: The Epic Hero
Superhuman strength Highest ideals of Anglo-Saxon culture Quest Must defeat monsters Glorified by his people
Beowulf Characters
Beowulf- The epic hero Grendel- Descendant of Cain Hrothgar- King of the Danes Unferth- Challenges Beowulf Wiglaf- Assisted Beowulf in his final battle
Allusion
Makes a reference to a place, event, literary work, myth, or work of art
It is said that Grendel is a descendent of Cain
Kenning
Anglo- Saxon compound word used to name a person, place, thing or event
Sheppard of evil- Grendel-monster Slaughter dew- blood Ring giver- king Whale road- sea
Mead Hall
Residence of the lord and his servants Mead- Equivalent to beer- honey, water and
yeast