Analyzing the Epic Hero Analyzing the Epic Hero Cycle & Epic Elements Cycle & Epic Elements

BeowulfBeowulf

CharactersCharacters

DanesDanes HrothgarHrothgar UnferthUnferthDane MonstersDane Monsters GrendelGrendel Grendel’s Grendel’s

MotherMother

GeatsGeats►BeowulfBeowulf►WiglafWiglaf►HygelacHygelac►EcgtheowEcgtheowGeats Geats

MonstersMonsters►DragonDragon

PlacesPlaces: : HerotHerot

What is a Monster? What is a Monster?

Act 1: ReflectAct 1: Reflect What is the difference between a “What is the difference between a “

Monster” and a “” and a “Villain”? Explain ”? Explain which definition is most applicable which definition is most applicable to Grendel. (look up in the to Grendel. (look up in the dictionary!)dictionary!)

Take a look at the posters posted Take a look at the posters posted throughout the room. Which of the throughout the room. Which of the posters is the most effective? posters is the most effective? Explain your response using Explain your response using specifics from the posterspecifics from the poster

GRENDEL’S CHARACTERDirect Characterization

(Include Line #)

Indirect Characterization (Include

Line #)

Act 2: Grendel AcrosticAct 2: Grendel Acrostic Create an acrostic poem Create an acrostic poem

Acrostic Poems

Our epic hero…Our epic hero…

Where is Beowulf? Where is Beowulf?

At home…At home… He isn’t personally affected because He isn’t personally affected because

he is from Geat and Grendel is he is from Geat and Grendel is attacking in Hrothgar’s kingdom of attacking in Hrothgar’s kingdom of the Danesthe Danes

So…So…

If Hrothgar had a Twitter..If Hrothgar had a Twitter..

Page 8 of packetPage 8 of packet

Complete first tweets for Complete first tweets for Wrath of Grendel. Wrath of Grendel.

How Would Beowulf’s How Would Beowulf’s differ? differ?

Grendel Wanted Poster p5Grendel Wanted Poster p5 With your partner, create the best With your partner, create the best

Grendel wanted poster possible Grendel wanted poster possible within the time limit given. within the time limit given. Follow the rubricFollow the rubric Be creative—use COLOR!Be creative—use COLOR! Post it on the back wallPost it on the back wall Begin reading “The Coming of Beowulf” Begin reading “The Coming of Beowulf”

p 43-48—should be read by tomorrow!p 43-48—should be read by tomorrow!

GRENDEL’S CHARACTERDirect Characterization

Indirect Characterization (Include

Line #)

Beowulf’s CHARACTER

Act 3: Beowulf is an Epic HeroAct 3: Beowulf is an Epic Hero Beowulf essentially “read” the Beowulf essentially “read” the

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

Act 4: Epic Hero CycleAct 4: Epic Hero Cycle All epic heroes follow a basic pattern All epic heroes follow a basic pattern

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

Epic Hero CycleEpic Hero CycleElement ExampleThe 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 unknownThe 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 hero’s 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 resurrectionAchieving 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”

Act 5: Hand to Hand CombatAct 5: Hand to Hand Combat Look at lines 261-270. Look at lines 261-270. What does Beowulf reveal about Grendel’s What does Beowulf reveal about Grendel’s

fighting method? What is his own fighting method? What is his own resolution? Why? resolution? Why?

““Grendel and Beowulf forego weapons to Grendel and Beowulf forego weapons to engage in ferocious hand-to-hand combat. engage in ferocious hand-to-hand combat. This clash is not a mere battle in a culture This clash is not a mere battle in a culture dominated by warfare but rather a more dominated by warfare but rather a more personal, primal conflict between equal, personal, primal conflict between equal, opposite forces.” Which of the opposite forces.” Which of the themesthemes we we have discussed does this description of the have discussed does this description of the battle apply tobattle apply to

Act 6: KenningsAct 6: Kennings A A kenningkenning is a two word poetic is a two word poetic

renaming of people, places, and things renaming of people, places, and things such as “Whale’s home” for the sea. such as “Whale’s home” for the sea. Modern? “Gass Guzzler”Modern? “Gass Guzzler”

There is a kenning in line 325. Identify There is a kenning in line 325. Identify it. it.

Identify at least two more kennings in Identify at least two more kennings in “The Battle with Grendel”“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

•Seabird’s bath •Ocean’s face •Heaven’s joy •Arrow’s storm •Water’s chain •Battle’s torch

Summarize► —in your own words, define a kenning and

an appositive phrase. Give an example of each—turn in before you leave

An Epic reflects the values of the culture that produced it. Complete this chart and draw a conclusion about Anglo-Saxon tastes and values.

FeatureWhy 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?

ThemesThemes Good vs. EvilGood vs. Evil Forces of darkness—irrational Forces of darkness—irrational

and menacing—are always at and menacing—are always at work in societywork in society

Life is a continuing struggleLife is a continuing struggle Actions speak louder than Actions speak louder than

wordswords Judge the greatness of a Judge the greatness of a

human by the greatness of his human by the greatness of his deeds and noble ancestrydeeds and noble ancestry

Help thy neighborHelp thy neighbor To be loyal is to selflessly make To be loyal is to selflessly make

sacrifices for a loved one. sacrifices for a loved one.

Extra Credit Assignment Peer Evaluation: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?