Characteristics of an EPIC HERO

The central figure in a long narrative that reflects the values and heroic ideals of a particular society.

Eight Characteristics of an EPIC HERO

1. Brave2. Superhuman in strength (physical, mental, spiritual)3. Successful in battle4. Contemptuous of his wounds, even in death5. Born of noble stock, maybe semi-divine6. Gains fame outside his own country7. His FOIL is usually a king who is weakened by flaw:

(Temporarily weakened or too old to function in protective capacity for his nation.)

FOILS MAKE HERO SHINE!

8. Extremely loyal

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Epic Poem

Beowulf is not a traditional “intruder-hero” who conquers and takes over. He respects the legitimacy of the Danish kingship, his “temporary king.” He has no intention of usurping Hrothgar’s kingship. Beowulf becomes king only after his King Higlac’s son (Beowulf’s cousin) dies in battle.

Hero Traits

1. Brave2. Superhuman in strength3. Successful in battle4. Contemptuous of his wounds, even in death5. Born of noble stock, maybe semi-divine6. Gains fame outside his own country7. Has a FOIL whose weakness makes the hero look better8. Extremely loyal

Back to Epic Poem

Characteristics of an EPIC POEM

A long narrative about the adventures of larger-than-life characters.

Ten Characteristics of an EPIC POEM

1. Elevated diction (formal language)a. Relative clauses - adj. clauses that start with relative

pronouns: ① Who② Whom③ Whose④ That⑤ Which

b. Figurative language:① Metaphors② Kennings (COMPOUND DESCRIPTIVE WORDS)③ Understatements

2. Set forms (formulas) that are clues for the scop’s memory.3. Begin in medias res (in the middle of things). NOT the

Beowulf epic.4. Epic characters hold high positions:

a. Kingsb. Princesc. Noblemend. Members of the aristocracye. EPIC HERO is even more

(See EPIC HERO NOTES)

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To Hero Traits

5. Numerous speeches by hero or other characters. a. Speech moves action forward,b. tells something about past, c. or reveals the speaker’s character traits.

6. Warriors deliver boasts before attacking an enemy

7. Genealogy important to epic warrior because … he wants us, and his enemies, to know he comes from a long line of warriors

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8. Taunting of hero, especially before battle.9. Setting is vast, with stories about great nations, or even

the universe. Beowulf has “vast scope.”a. Only deals with two nations.b. Beowulf’s enemies are not human, therefore:

① Nonhuman enemies raise the notion of a king’s fall to a fall of cosmic dimensions

② A struggle with universal evil③ The fate of human life and man’s efforts

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10. Supernatural “forces” (not really in Beowulf, unless we consider the monsters as Satanic). a. There are some indirect references to the Will of God and His control

of wyrd (FATE), but not directly. The concept of active Fate OR“that which happens” OR ….while a man's courage holds out, he has a hope of winning through since wyrd ‘the way things happen’ will often work to help such a man, as long as he is not doomed; conversely if a man is doomed then not even his courage can help him stand against 'the course of events'."

10. Moral code or religious code in Beowulf less dependent on superhuman beings than on social codes,in other words, what is good for the community.

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