Epic.

1
Epic.

• Elements of epic literature

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Elements of Epic-ness

• Epic Hero
• Epic Society
• Epic Plot
• Epic Setting
• Archetypes
• Epic Language
• Epic Themes

3
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

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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.

5
Epic Society

• Like Beowulf, the epic heros 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.

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Epic Plot

• Must involve a LONG journey with complications
• Strange creature
• Divine intervention
• (gods helping or hurting)
• Large-scale events
• Treacherous weather

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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

8
Epic Setting

• They must go to strange, fantastic or exotic
  lands
• Usually involve upper and lower worlds. (ie
  heaven/hell)

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Archetypes

• Archetypes are characters, situations, and images
  that are present in many times and cultures
• Sea monster/ Dragon
• Wicked temptress
• Buried treasure
• Epic hero

10
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
• Gods Candle The Sun

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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.

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Epic themes

• Reflects universal themes
• Courage
• Fate of a nation
• A homecoming
• Beauty
• Loyalty
• Life and death

13
Can you

• Think of any epic stories or heroes?
• As we read The Odyssey (an epic poem) look for
  elements that make it epic!