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“Beowulf” as an epic
“Beowulf” is is the oldest surviving epic poem in the English language and the earliest piece of vernacular European literature. Epic poem is a long, exalted narrative poem, generally concerning a serious subject and details the heroic deeds and events important to a culture or nation. As it often concentrates on a single figure, whose heroic actions are of paramount importance, such poems are also called heroic poems or heroic epic.
Epics have 8 main characteristics:
1. the hero is of imposing stature, of national or international importance, and of great historical or legendary significance
2. a large time perspective (the reader can draw genealogical trees of both nations, the Danes and the Geats)
3. the action consists of deeds of great valor or requiring superhuman courage (Beowulf’s deeds)
4. unity of action; there is one central plot on which the poem is built
inclusiveness of scope (society presented at war and at peace, life/death, love/hate)
5. supernatural forces--gods, angels, demons--interest themselves in the action (Grendel is a dragon)
6. a style of sustained elevation is used
7. the poet retains a measure of objectivity (tells the story as he heard it, does not revel in Grendel’s or Grendel’s mother’s 8. deaths although they are Beowulf’s foes)
Conventions of epics:
1. Opens by stating the theme or subject matter of the epic.
2. Language is dense.
3. Frequent flashbacks and anticipation create the sense of roundness (events are hinted at before they happen, the reader knows what to expect)
4. Main characters give extended formal speeches.
5. Life of the hero means the life of his people (the death of Beowulf is the omen of the impending disaster; distruction of the Geats)
6. Frame construction (the death of king Scyld at the beginning, the death of Beowulf at the end)

The traits of Beowulf as the epic hero
1. The hero is a distinguished leader whose relationship with his warriors (thanes) is spiritual rather than material; it is based on loyalty and mutual trust rather than plain subordination.
2. The hero is not only a warrior and a leader, but also a polished speaker who can address his people with eloquence and confidence.
3. The hero, often a demi-god, possesses distinctive weapons and superhuman qualities.
4. The hero must undertake a long, perilous journey, which tests his endurance, courage, and cunning.
5. He undertakes a task that no one else dare attempt.
6. The hero establishes his nobility through single combat with a superior foe. That is, a hero gains little honour by slaying a lesser mortal, but only by challenging heroes like himself or adversaries of superhuman power.
7. The two great epic adversaries, the hero and his antagonist, meet at the climax, which must be delayed as long as possible to sustain maximum interest.

I praca domowa:

1. gold – giver Lord

2. ring – giver

3. whale’s way

4. hall’s mouth

5. dwelling of the soul

6. arrow-shower

7. Even in slumber his sorrow assailed,
And, dreaming he clasped his dear Lord again,
Head on knee, hand on knee, loyally laying,
Pledging his liege as in days gone past.

8. „Good man is he who guardeth his faith.”

9. Let him think what he will! For, woe of heart
Withstood not Fate; a failing spirit
Earned no help. Men eager for honor
Bury their sorrow deep in the breast.

The following are examples of some stylistic features of OE poetry taken from either Beowulf or The Wanderer. Your task is to decode the meanings of the kennings below and identify run-on lines, end-stopped lines and a gnome.

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