(Everything you wanted to know about epic poetry but were afraid to ask!)

The Epic

A long, narrative poem told in an exalted style (grand manner) that tells of the exploits and adventures of a hero

Oral Tradition– the way a culture passed on its history, legends,

myths, and stories from one generation to the next

– essential means of archiving history before printing and mass media

– often includes rhythm, rhyme, and repetition

The Epic

Significant to a particular race or culture--part of a given culture’s history and mythology

Often based in literal truth Reveal that culture’s value and belief

systems and character Certain elements may be universal,

transcending cultural, geographical, and historical boundaries

Beowulf as Epic: Anglo-Saxon Scops

Professional tribal poets Celebrated cultural values by singing epics on

occasions of great ceremony and festivity Presented the stories, legends, myths, values,

belief systems, and histories of the Anglo-Saxon culture

Passed them down from one generation to the next

Beowulf as Epic: Scops

Fulfilled  many roles in an Anglo Saxon tribe:• court singer

• tribal historian

• genealogist

• teacher

• composer

• critic

• warrior

• traveler and reporter

Beowulf as Epic

Cultural values embodied in Beowulf:– Loyalty– Valor (courage, bravery)– Selflessness (willingness to sacrifice self for the

good of the people)– Justice

Beowulf as Epic

Prevailing philosophies & religious beliefs evident in Beowulf:– Uneasy mix of Christian and pagan elements

(images, symbols, beliefs)

– Incl. fatalism: a belief that humans are not in control of their own destinies; Fate is.

Archetypes

Universal symbols that transcend boundaries of culture, time and geography

Part of humanity’s collective unconscious (Carl Jung)

Examples include certain-- • Images (sun, water, circle, tree, serpent, garden,

desert)

• Colors (red, green, blue, white, black)

• Numbers (3, 4, 7)

• Character types (The Good Mother, The Wise Old Man, The Hero)

Archetypes--Sun

Sun (fire and sky)– creative energy– consciousness– father principle– passage of time and life

Rising sun– birth; creation; enlightenment

Setting sun– death

Archetypes--Water

Mysteries of creation Birth-death-resurrection cycles Purification and redemption Sea

– mother of all life– timelessness and eternity

River– death and rebirth (baptism)– transitional phases of the life cycle

Archetypes--Colors

Red: blood, sacrifice, violent passion; disorder Green: (Positive) growth; hope; fertility;

(Negative) death and decay Blue: highly positive, associated with truth,

religious feeling, security, spiritual purity Black: (darkness) chaos, mystery, the unknown;

death; the unconscious White: (Positive) light, purity, innocence;

timelessness; (Negative) death, terror, emptiness, blinding truth of mystery

Archetypes--Circle

Circle (Sphere): wholeness, unity Egg (oval): the mystery of life and forces of

generation Wheel--symbol of fortune, fate Yang-Yin: a Chinese symbol; represents the

union of opposite forces--(Jungian theory of anima and animus)

– Yang: masculine principle; light; activity; the conscious mind

– Yin: female principle; darkness; passivity; the unconscious

More Archetypal Images

Serpent Evil Corruption Sensuality Destruction The unconscious

• The Garden

• Paradise

• Innocence

• Unspoiled beauty

• Fertility

More Archetypal Images

Desert Spiritual aridity (dryness) Emptiness Hopelessness (Wasteland) Tree Life; consistence and growth Proliferation Immortality; generation and regeneration

Archetypes--Numbers Three (3) Spiritual awareness and unity

– Example: the Holy Trinity

Male principle Four (4) Associated with circle and earth (four corners) Life cycle (four seasons) Female principle Seven (7): Most potent of all symbolic numbers Union of 3 & 4 Completion of a cycle; perfect order

Archetypes--Character Types

The Good Mother (positive qualities of E.M.) associated with life principle represents birth, warmth, nourishment represents protection and abundance Examples:

– Mother Nature--the earth mother– Demeter/Ceres– Marmie March (from Little Women)– Captain Planet--Gaia– Cinderella--Fairy godmother– Star Wars--Anakin Skywalker’s mother(?)

Archetypes--Character Types

The Terrible Mother (negative qualities of E.M.)

femme fatale witch, sorceress, siren, whore, seductress associated with fear, sensuality, danger, darkness,

emasculation, death Examples: Delilah

– Cinderella--evil stepmother– Hera– any soap opera– The Little Mermaid--Ursula

Archetypes--Character Types

The Soul Mate Sophia figure--associated with spiritual wisdom Holy mother Princess or “beautiful lady” Incarnation of inspiration and spiritual fulfillment Jungian anima (completion) Examples:

– Wizard of Oz--Glenda the Good Witch– Star Wars--Princess Leia– Blue woman (Diva) in The Fifth Element

Archetypes--Character Types The Wise Old Man savior, redeemer, guru figure personification of the spiritual principle represents knowledge, reflection, insight, wisdom,

cleverness and intuition also represents moral qualities such as goodwill,

readiness to help the sagacious and helpful old man Examples: Obiwan Kenobi, Yoda, Merlin,

Gandolf, Mr. Miyagi, Splinter, Rafiki, Teiresius

Archetypes--Character Types

The Hero Archetypes (archetypes of transformation and redemption)

Hero’s Initiation (from ignorance and immaturity to social and spiritual adulthood)– Separation– Transformation– Return

Examples: Huck Finn, The Lion King, Luke Skywalker, Ebeneezer Scrooge, Overboard, The Prodigal Son

Archetypes--Character Types

The Sacrificial Scapegoat the hero with whom the welfare of the tribe or

nation is identified must die to atone for the people’s sins and to

restore the land to fruitfulness Examples: Braveheart--William Wallace, Jesus,

Maximus of Gladiator, Somersby, Bruce Willis’ character in Armageddon

The Hero Archetype

The Hero’s Quest– Undertakes a long

journey

– Must perform impossible tasks and overcome insurmountable obstacles

– Has an important goal to achieve

– Is often a savior, deliverer figure

Other Archetypal Motifs

Creation Immortality Battle of Good v. Evil