epic. elements of epic literature…. elements of epic-ness epic hero epic society epic plot epic...
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Epic.Elements of epic literature…
Elements of Epic-ness
• Epic Hero• Epic Society• Epic Plot• Epic Setting• Archetypes• Epic Language • Epic Themes
Epic hero• Possess super human
strength, craftiness, and confidence
• Either helped or harmed by the gods
• They have ideals/ values that the culture admires
• Manages to stay alive in dangerous situations
Epic Hero Cont…
• After his death, the epic hero achieves a glorified status not possible while he lived.
• His passing represents the end of an era, or the end of his civilization.
Epic Society
• Like Beowulf, the epic hero’s society is organized as a warrior caste system, with the upper class members trained in the art of physical combat.
• An air of tragic seriousness dominates an epic as the society comes under attack, often by supernatural beings, such as gods, or monsters.
Epic Plot• Must involve a LONG journey with
complications:– Strange creature– Divine intervention
• (gods helping or hurting)– Large-scale events– Treacherous weather
All for Goodness and Glory
• Beowulf embodies the values of his society, such as courage, strength and the unwavering commitment to glory.
• In the epic, the hero will make a quest for glory, even if it results in his own death.
• By risking his life, the epic hero elevates his own nature, and his death ennobles his followers
Epic Setting• They must go to strange, fantastic
or exotic lands
• Usually involve “upper” and “lower” worlds. (ie heaven/hell)
Archetypes• Archetypes are characters, situations,
and images that are present in many times and cultures:– Sea monster/ Dragon– Wicked temptress– Buried treasure– Epic hero
Language of the Epic
• Kennings: a metaphorical phrase or compound word used to name a person, place, thing or idea– Whale Road = the ocean– Shepherd of Evil = Grendel– God’s Candle = The Sun
Language cont…
• Kennings fulfill three things– Anglo/Saxon poetry depends on Alliteration but
neither had a large vocabulary, so they combine words to make alliterations.
– Easier to memorize, since all stories were oral. – People liked and valued elaboration, so the
complex kennings satisfied this desire
• Alliteration: repetition of a consonant sound at the beginning of the word. – Sally sells sea shells by the sea shore.
Epic themes• Reflects universal themes:
– Courage
– Fate of a nation
– A homecoming
– Beauty
– Loyalty
– Life and death
Can you…• Think of any epic stories or
heroes?
• As we read The Odyssey (an epic poem) look for elements that make it epic!
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