Beowulf

1. Historical and literary context of Beowulf.

https://www.shmoop.com/video/all-about-beowulf-s-historical-context-
2. Explain what makes Beowulf an epic poem.
Factors that make Beowulf an epic poem are that it is a book-length
poem in verse, focuses on a single hero, includes battles or
conflicts, reflects many aspects of its culture, is lofty in language,
and features a tragic death. According to poets.org, an epic poem
is: a long, often book-length, narrative in verse form that retells the
heroic journey of a single person or a group of persons. Elements
that typically distinguish epics include superhuman deeds, fabulous
adventures, highly stylized language, and a blending of lyrical and
dramatic traditions. Some of the main criteria points include being a long,
narrative poem, having an epic hero, and containing rhythm, alliteration, and
imagery. Beowulf can be considered an epic because it contains all of this
criteria. Beowulf, first and foremost, is a long narrative poem. It contains
3,182 lines and has been divided into forty-three sections. It has been written
in a way that formulates a concentrated imaginative awareness of experience
and arranged so that the language stimulates an emotional response, the basis
of why a piece of writing would be considered a poem.
Beowulf also contains an epic hero. The title of the poem has been named after
our epic hero, Beowulf. In definition, an epic hero is someone that does larger
than life deeds and is stronger and smarter than any normal man; and Beowulf
fits this description as if the mold were made for him. He has the strength of
thirty men and uses it as a major weapon against evil. This can be seen through
Beowulf’s battles with Grendel, Grendel’s mother, and the dragon.

3. Analyze the character of Beowulf as an epic hero.

Champion of freedom. 1st trait of an Epic hero, that supports the idea of heros
fighting with the forces of good v.

Courage. 2nd trait of an Epic hero, when the hero continues the journey or task at
hand, after they show fear.

Super Strength.

Devotion.

Loyalty.
 Love of Glory.

Justice.

Weakness

Beowulf shows ability and bravery, lasting fame, and caring out his royal duties; all these
personality traits show that Beowulf is an epic hero. By slaughtering Grendel and the Dragon,
Beowulf demonstrated ability and bravery to his people by demonstrating his force of will and
survival.

Beowulf embodies several traits that make him a textbook epic hero.
Some of these traits include his larger-than-life physical strength, his
courage in the face of extreme danger, and his loyalty to both his
superiors and the men who serve him. An epic hero is not perfect or
immortal, but he is a sort of superhuman.

https://www.mvorganizing.org/what-are-the-8-characteristics-of-an-epic-hero/

4. Provide the analysis of major characters.

https://www.coursehero.com/lit/Beowulf/character-analysis/
5. Consider the themes:
 Family and tribe
https://www.litcharts.com/lit/beowulf/themes/family-and-tribe
 Repetition and change
https://www.litcharts.com/lit/beowulf/themes/repetition-and-change
 Fame, pride, and shame
https://www.litcharts.com/lit/beowulf/themes/fame-pride-and-shame
 Good warriors and good kings
https://www.litcharts.com/lit/beowulf/themes/good-warriors-and-good-
kings
 Christianity and paganism
https://literatureessaysamples.com/synthesis-of-christianity-and-
paganism-in-beowulf/
6. Reflect on the symbols: https://studylib.net/doc/25309048/symbols-in-
beowolf
 Swords
  Halls
 Gold, treasure and gifts
 Monsters
7. Explore the literary connections.