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INTRODUCTIONINTRODUCTIONtoto
EPIC POETRYEPIC POETRY
What is Epic What is Epic Poetry?Poetry?
Long narrative poem Written in an elevated
style Celebrates the deed of a
legendary hero or god
Literary DevicesLiterary Devices
Alliteration– repetition of similar sounds especially initial consonant or stressed syllable (eg. “Shild’s strong son” [23, line 19])
Metaphor- comparison between two similar things
Simile- Comparison using “like” or “as”
Literary Devices Literary Devices Cont.Cont.
Epithet- brief phrase characterizes a person place or thing (eg. “the Lord of all Life”, “the Rule of glory,” “the Lord of heaven and earth”)
Kenning- two-word metaphorical name for something (eg. “sea-road” for ocean [30, line 239])
Literary Literary ElementsElements
Internal Conflict- Struggle that takes place within the mind of a character who is torn between opposing feelings and desires
External Conflict- When a character struggles against some outside force… Person, nature, society, or fate.
Early Literary Early Literary Influences & Influences & Historical Historical
EventsEvents
Epic of Epic of GilgameshGilgamesh25002500 BC BC
11 Clay Tablets (story) 12th Tells of his ruling the
netherworld Most important epic poem in
human history Various adventures of hero-king
searching for immortality An account of the flood Characters
Gilgamesh (2/3 god & 1/3 human) Enkidu (wild man)
Summary of Summary of GilgameshGilgamesh
Meets Enkidu (BFF) 1st trip to Land of Cedaes to
kill Humbaba Later slays the Bull of Heaven
Angers gods=suffering
Seeks Utnapishtim & finds heartache
Returns to Uruk and writes his story
BibleBible 4000 4000 BC- BC- 77 77 AD AD
Judeo-Christian “God” Contains the Old & New
Testaments Missionaries & Crusades Holy Grail Referenced in a lot of
literature
HomerHomer 800 800 BC BC
Did he exist? Creator of the Epic Poems
The Iliad and The Odyssey Most likely a minstrel
Traveling singer/storyteller
Poems were oral for centuries before written down
The Trojan WarThe Trojan War 1184 1184 BC/ BC/ 800800 BC BC
(written)(written) Main topic of The Iliad by Homer
and latter The Aeneid by Virgil Achaeans vs. Trojans (10 yrs.) Helen of Troy abducted by Paris Achilles withdraws from the war
and then rejoins in 10th yr. & kills Hector the Trojan Prince
Wooden horse City captured & Helen returned
to Menelaus
The OdysseyThe Odyssey 800 800 BC BC
Tale of Odysseus 10 yrs. in Trojan War 10 yrs. to get home Presumed dead wife Penelope
fighting off suitors Consists of 24 books
Naturalis Naturalis Historia, Historia, 1st Encyclopedia1st Encyclopedia
77 77 AD AD Written by Gaius Plinius Cecilius Secundus (a.k.a. Pliny the Elder)
37 Book 1st has preface & tables of
contents List of authorities
Published 1st 10 himself Very little revision if any
The Adventures The Adventures of Beowulfof Beowulf 650 650 AD AD
1st Epic Poem written in English, Old English
Author Unknown Adventure of a great
Scandinavian warrior 1 manuscript survived the
monastery destruction by Henry VIII
Historic Historic BackgroundBackground
Geats & Danes Accurately reflects the time
period (6th century) Angles, Saxons, & Jutes Germanic Code
Comitatus (group) -of loyalty • Sworn loyalty to king = gifts
Feudal System
Historic Historic Background Cont.Background Cont. Women were thought of as
holy Belief in fate
Biblical references relate to Old Testament
Author most likely Christian Scops- composers &
storytellers
Geneology of Geneology of Geats, Danes, Geats, Danes, and Swedesand Swedes
Main CharactersMain Characters
Beowulf Dragon Grendel & Mother Higlac Hrothgar Shild Unferth Welthow Wiglaf
Time and PlaceTime and Place
Set in Denmark and Geatland
6th Century Herot- mead
hall
Why is Epic Why is Epic Poetry Important Poetry Important
today?today? Stories are still being passed
down from generation to generation.
We see these same plots, heroes, struggles, archetypes, and events happening in life today.
References to these epic poems are in our books and movies today.