UNIT 1

LESSON 1 – BEOWULF

ELEMENTS OF EPIC POETRY

Epic Poem – is a long verse narrative that describes the quest and adventures of
an epic hero.

ELEMENTS OF EPIC POETRY

1. It has a plot that centers on an epic hero
2. It has a plot that involves impossible human feats.
3. It contains archetypes and vast settings
Archetypes-are characters, situations, or images that are quite
common and are easily recognizable across time and culture.

Vast setting-refers to not only geographical location where the story

took place but also expands through unimaginable places in space,
across land, seas, and the heavens.
4. It is highly stylized.
5. It uses literary devices
Kennings-figurative phrases that take the place of a noun.
Alliteration – is a form of figurative language wherein there is a
repetition of the initial consonant sounds.
Caesura- is a long pause found in every line of the poem.
 EPIC HERO CYCLE

1. The epic hero possesses supernatural abilities or qualities

2. The epic hero must complete a quest.
3. The epic hero is tested to prove his worth and that of his quest.
4. The epic hero interacts with other interesting characters in the
story.
5. The epic hero travels to a vast setting.
6. The epic hero must experience a low point in his quest.
7. The epic hero must experience a form of resurrection.
8. The epic hero would experience a form of reinstatement.

SIMPLE KENNING
It is a single idea that formed by compounding two words.
Examples:
kennings Anglo Saxon Meaning
Horse of the sea merehengest ship
Sun-table S’olarboro sky
Battle-serpent hildernaedre arrow
Battle-sweat hildeswat blood

COMPOUND KENNING
It is described as “kenning within a kenning” which brings a level of
complexity with the orate language.
kennings Meaning
Dispensable of the flames of the A generous king
falcon’s field
Provider to the swans of the mead of A warrior
battle
The dweller of the top of the beast captain
yoked to the wavers