Analyzing the Epic Hero Cycle

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Analyzing the Epic Hero Cycle Epic Elements

• Beowulf

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What is a Monster?
You must have at least 1!
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Act 1 Reflect

• What is the difference between a Monster and a
  Villain? Explain which definition is most
  applicable to Grendel. (look up in the
  dictionary!)
• Take a look at the posters posted throughout the
  room. Which of the posters is the most effective?
  Explain your response using specifics from the
  poster

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Characters

• Danes
• Hrothgar
• Unferth
• Dane Monsters
• Grendel
• Grendels Mother

• Geats
• Beowulf
• Wiglaf
• Hygelac
• Ecgtheow
• Geats Monsters
• Dragon

Places Herot
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GRENDELS CHARACTER GRENDELS CHARACTER
Direct Characterization (Include Line ) Indirect Characterization (Include Line )

Include as many examples as you can find!
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Act 2 Grendel Acrostic

• Create an acrostic poem
• Acrostic Poems

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Where is Beowulf?

• Our epic hero

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At home

• He isnt personally affected because he is from
  Geat and Grendel is attacking in Hrothgars
  kingdom of the Danes
• So

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If Hrothgar had a Twitter..
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How Would Beowulfs differ?

• Page 8 of packet
• Complete first tweets for Wrath of Grendel.

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Grendel Wanted Poster p5

• With your partner, create the best Grendel wanted
  poster possible within the time limit given.
• Follow the rubric
• Be creativeuse COLOR!
• Post it on the back wall
• Begin reading The Coming of Beowulf p
  43-48should be read by tomorrow!

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GRENDELS CHARACTER GRENDELS CHARACTER
Direct Characterization Indirect Characterization (Include Line )

Beowulfs CHARACTER Beowulfs CHARACTER

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Act 3 Beowulf is an Epic Hero

• Beowulf essentially read the wanted poster,
  realized what a horrible monster this was and
  felt it was his RESPONSIBILITY to do something
  about it. Why would the Epic Hero feel it was his
  duty to defend a country that was not his own?

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Act 4 Epic Hero Cycle

• All epic heroes follow a basic pattern known as
  the epic hero cycle. This cycle can be repeated
  many times throughout the course of an epic, but
  is very distinct. On your worksheet, you will
  find the different elements of the epic hero
  cycle that you will need to be familiar with.
  Fill out the first 5 element examples using
  SPECIFICS from the TEXT. You will need your
  textbook for this portion. Most of this will be
  found in The Coming of Beowulf and The Battle
  with Grendel

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Epic Hero Cycle
Element Example
The main character is a hero, who is often possessed of super natural abilities or qualities    
The hero is charged with a quest (call to Adventure)  
Crossing the Threshold Moving from the known to the unknown
The hero is tested, often to prove the worthiness of himself and his quest   PHYSICAL, MENTAL, EMOTIONAL  
The presence of numerous mythical beings, magical and helpful animals, and/or human helpers and companions    
The heros travels take him to a supernatural world, often one that normal human beings are barred from entering    
The cycle must reach a low point where the hero nearly gives up his quest or appears defeated  
A resurrection
Achieving the goal or the boon
Restitution. Often this takes the form of the hero regaining his rightful place on the throne. Return to the ordinary world    
Applying the boon
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Act 5 Hand to Hand Combat

• Look at lines 261-270.
• What does Beowulf reveal about Grendels fighting
  method? What is his own resolution? Why?
• Grendel and Beowulf forego weapons to engage in
  ferocious hand-to-hand combat. This clash is not
  a mere battle in a culture dominated by warfare
  but rather a more personal, primal conflict
  between equal, opposite forces. Which of the
  themes we have discussed does this description of
  the battle apply to

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Act 6 Kennings

• A kenning is a two word poetic renaming of
  people, places, and things such as Whales home
  for the sea.
• Modern? Gass Guzzler
• There is a kenning in line 325. Identify it.
• Identify at least two more kennings in The
  Battle with Grendel

Compound Words Prepositional Phrases Possessives
Sky-candle Whale-road Ring-giver Gold-ringed Battle dew Sea stallion Wolf of wounds Winters of grief Shepard of evil Storm of swords Guardian of the people Path of the sea Seabirds bath Oceans face Heavens joy Arrows storm Waters chain Battles torch
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(No Transcript)
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Summarize

• In your own words, define a kenning
• Give an example of eachturn in before you leave

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An Epic reflects the values of the culture that
produced it. Complete this chart and draw a
conclusion about Anglo-Saxon tastes and values.
Feature Why is it pleasing? What values are reflected?
Boastful speeches Makes the hero seem superhuman
Great hero
Lots of action
Good Triumphs over evil
Anglo Saxons had a _________________ culture.
What details reveal the importance of pagan
warrior values in Beowulf such as a belief in
fate, a taste of boasting, a pride in loyalty,
and a desire for fame?
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Themes

• Good vs. Evil
• Forces of darknessirrational and menacingare
  always at work in society
• Life is a continuing struggle
• Actions speak louder than words
• Judge the greatness of a human by the greatness
  of his deeds and noble ancestry
• Help thy neighbor
• To be loyal is to selflessly make sacrifices for
  a loved one.

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Extra Credit Assignment Peer Evaluation
Student name Epic chosen Presentation Evaluation Scale of 1 (awful)-10 (great) Substantial comment







After watching the presentations, answer the
following question Why are epics used to
preserve values and traditions?