Beowulf an epic poem What is Beowulf Epic

Beowulf an epic poem

What is Beowulf? • Epic poem, written in Old English ~1100 AD • The adventures of a great Scandinavian warrior of the 6 th century • No one knows the author. • Oldest surviving British epic poem.

What is an Epic Poem? • Narrative • Larger-than-life epic hero • Illustrates the values of a particular society • Others: Homer’s Illiad & Odyssey

Europe

Scandinavia

Scandinavia Today!

Old pages 900 years old!!

Who are the Characters?

Beowulf • • Outstanding fighter Son of Edgetho King of the Geats Believed in a “fair fight” Fears no enemy Very loyal Represents goodness

Grendel • Man-eating monster who attacks Herot • Lives at the bottom of a foul mountain lake • Represents evil

Wiglaf • High ranking Geat • Related to Beowulf • Only one to help in the end

Hrothgar • • King of the Danes Builder of Herot Friend of Beowulf’s father Welthow is his wife

Unferth • Jealous of Beowulf • Hrothgar’s soldier • Hrunting is his sword

Herot • Golden guest hall built by King Hrothgar • Built on the coast of Denmark • represents goodness

Web Sites • Beowulf Resources – http: //www. georgetown. edu/irvinemj/english 016/beowulf. html • Beowulf – The Character – http: //www. third-wave. com/insite/beowulf. html • The Adventures of Beowulf – http: //www. lone-star. net/literature/beowulf/index. html • Notes on Beowulf – http: //www. uwp. edu/academic/english/canary/beowulf. html • Beowulf Links, and many more – http: //edseek. com/

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